While Christmas is a joyous time it is also one of grief.
Many parents, myself included, will be mourning the loss of a pregnancy or child this Christmas.
It can be very hard to feel happy when it always feels like someone is missing and especially difficult when it feels like your child is missing a milestone like there first trip to Santa.
Photographer and poet Toni Linfield recently shared a beautiful photo and poem dedicated to all the babies that will not be with us this Christmas and I think for any parent dealing with loss it really hits home.
“Empty arms
He sat upon the couch, his arms were open wide.
He was waiting for a baby to be placed inside.
Instead his arms were empty…a place where a baby should be. A baby that gained it’s wings and now is flying free.
He bowed his head and said a prayer with a teardrop in his eye. He took a deep breath and tried not to cry.
Merry Christmas in Heaven to all the babies that won’t see Santa this year. Know that you are dearly missed and we wish that you were here.”
Nothing can quite describe the loss of a pregnancy or a child, and the grief can feel like a shadow that never lifts.
That being said knowing that there is a community of other parents dealing with the same grief can offer a little bit of comfort, especially coming up to Christmas.
However if you feel that you or anyone you know is having a particularly difficult time with the grief of losing a child this Christmas you can find support through Féileacáin.
