Happy Father’s Day to all Dads
Dads: you matter. Your children, all of them, even the ones that have died, even if that was your only child: they matter. Love is the bond that holds us all together. Love is unbreakable, is unchanging and never lost – even after death. Happy Father’s Day to all dads! Today is for you. Please comment below and share your story. Or join the discussion on Twitter using the hashtags #stilladad and #babyloss. My handle is @_Alexis_Marie – I look forward to celebrating with...
Read MoreHow to Celebrate Bereaved Dads on Father’s Day
Bereaved dads don’t get enough support – and our society doesn’t encourage them to ask for it when they need it. My husband Aaron grieved so differently than me. We were night and day. I was open, crying, needing to talk about our loss all the time, and could not focus on day to day concerns; they were meaningless to me for so long. For Aaron on the other hand, he shoved his emotions down and threw himself into his work. He didn’t talk about Zachary very often, if ever, unless I brought him up. He said all the right things to me, but was disassociated from our loss and our relationship. This was his way of coping. It was an extremely challenging time for us both. I have learned that the typical male and female grief patterns are not right and wrong in themselves,...
Read MoreGood Grief, It’s Mother’s Day
Happy Mother’s Day to all Moms! You know who you are – never question your motherhood, no matter how society might make you feel. Nurture and care for yourself today. You are special and worthy of celebration. I was speaking with my own mother just a few days ago and we agreed that it is not the duration of the child’s life that matters. The love, the bond and the connection – that is what counts, what lingers long after loss. When I saw this children’s book as I dug through the bookshelf with my living kids, I was immediately halted by the title. Good Grief, It’s Mother’s Day! The Peanuts book is based on the comic strip by Charles M. Schulz. The book shows all the Peanut characters and their beliefs about the day, and their sometimes kooky gift ideas as...
Read MoreExciting Updates: CTV & Shaw TV Features, Curious Arts, Brave New Normal Documentary, Today’s Parent, and the Yeggies Awards Night (Now that’s a mouthful!)
Spring is a busy time of year – are you feeling it as well? There are a lot of exciting updates here at Wanted Chosen Planned that I’m eager to share with you. CTV Feature on Wanted Chosen Planned – Airs Thursday, May 7, 2015 I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Dez Melenka and her cameraman, Mike, from CTV. The interview discussed Wanted Chosen Planned and the need for community for bereaved parents. They also filmed me photographing Tara, a bereaved local Mom, for my art project called The Quiet Rebuild – Portraits of Healing. Tara was also able to share her story. The feature will be promoted this Wednesday night (May 6) and aired on Thursday, May 7 at 6:00pm during the evening news. Shaw TV Feature on BRAVE NEW NORMAL Documentary – Airs...
Read More“Brave New Normal” Documentary, View the Trailer Today on International Bereaved Mother’s Day
Today is a remembrance day that many do not know about unless they have experienced the death of a child. International Bereaved Mother’s Day is virtually unpublicized or acknowledged – and only partially so, I believe, because of the lack of consumer-targeted marketing by big gift companies. The larger issue may spur from the difficult nature of the day itself. Mother’s Day is seen in a positive light, but bereaved motherhood is not all roses and chocolates. Mothers who have miscarried, had a stillbirth or another type of early infant loss – or even those who have survived the death of a grown child – often find themselves within a society where their grief is misunderstood. Historically, how are we taught to respond to things we do not...
Read MoreCelebrating Sweeties Launch
I am so proud to launch “Celebrating Sweeties” on Wanted Chosen Planned! This website is more than just a blog; Wanted Chosen Planned is a community where all are welcome to share their experience of losing a child and what life entails afterwards. I passionately believe we are stronger together – and that is what this community is built on: sharing, support and compassion. Celebrating Sweeties is a dedication page for Wanted Chosen Planned. It is a place to honour and remember. I invite families to email me at info@alexismariechute.com with three things: Your child’s name (or nickname or your last name, for example Baby Smith) Your child’s birthday A photograph if you have one (not required) I will place your child’s name, birth date and photograph into...
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