The Loss of a Child
February 26, 2009 by Anna Farmery
Filed under Bereavement and Children
In the UK, the leader of the opposition David Cameron and his wife suffered the loss of their child yesterday. Politics stopped for the day as the country realised one thing – that death always puts any problems into context. I have suffered with my grief but without the worlds press looking on at me. When something like this happens I cannot imagine what it must be like to grieve in the public eye….
The pain of losing a child is immense, my thoughts go out to anyone in this position. Often I say that death is natural, death is part of “life” and yet when a parent loses a child it just seems wrong. I hope that as we give comfort to the Camerons we also think of all the parents of the war casualties – they may not be houshold names but their lives have been given to protect our society and I for one think about those brave soldiers each day.
We can never stop death but we can be there for those who grieve and offer our love….xx
Sorry to read of this Anna, my late husband lost his adult son and my parents lost my older sister when I was 9, you are so right that it seems wrong to be a part of that kind of grief. Dave never recovered from his son’s death, five years before his own, he just never felt the same joy in life it seemed. I know all greif is terrible but I read somewhere that 70% of women will be widowed at least once in their lives, it is more of a “natural” grief as you say but still overwhelming when it happens to you. I hope as you that our experience with grief has increased our empathy for others who experience it, whatever the situation.
Deb
When I saw the Camerons’ picture in the newspaper this morning I was struck by the look of complete sadness and despair on their faces. It must be a terrible thing to lose a child and then so publicly. I hope they have some private time to grieve in their own way. My heart goes out to them.
I am sure as well that because Ivan was so disabled they showered even more love on him that will leave an even bigger gap….
I lost my nearly 4 year old son on 6 January 2009 and it is the most painful, most heart wrenching deepest sorrow. Words cannot describe the devastation, confusion and longing that is ever present, even when you sleep.
My heart goes out to every other parent who knows how it feels and even if I don’t know them by name, they will always be in my prayers.
Alison
Alison I echo your words and I know my words cannot ever take away your sense of loss but I hope that they show that I care and that I am here to try and support people through.
I cannot ever imagine the feeling, but I know this that the short time that you had with him will have brought much joy and that your life would have been enriched….my thoughts are with you