Resource Round-Up 11: Expecting Sunshine
There are so many amazing and compassionate resources out there for bereaved families after their losses and as they become pregnant again. In this resource round-up, I will share some of the books, retreats, organizations and other supports that I feel are doing amazing work. Today, I am honored to share resources that are very close to my heart! My memoir and documentary film, Expecting Sunshine. www.ExpectingSunshine.com BOOK “I just finished your beautiful book “Expecting Sunshine” and felt compelled to reach out and say thank you. A few days after I found out I miscarried, a few days before my D&C, I went to Barnes & Noble in hopes of finding a guidebook or self-help book of how to heal and cope with miscarriage or loss of a child. I searched...
Read MoreExpecting Sunshine 2nd Edition + Fun Giveaway!
My memoir, Expecting Sunshine: A Journey of Grief, Healing, and Pregnancy After Loss, will be released in its Second Edition on May 21. This book has made a wonderful difference in the lives of many families and their communities. Here is a letter from one reader: I just finished your beautiful book “Expecting Sunshine” and felt compelled to reach out and say thank you. A few days after I found out I miscarried, a few days before my D&C, I went to Barnes & Noble in hopes of finding a guidebook or self-help book of how to heal and cope with miscarriage or loss of a child. I searched every feasible location: self-help, psychology, family planning, childcare. With tears in my eyes I was too embarrassed to ask anyone at the counter for help. There I was...
Read MoreResource Round-Up 2: Hazel’s Heroes
There are so many amazing and compassionate resources out there for bereaved families after their losses and as they become pregnant again. In this resource round-up, I will share some of the books, retreats, organizations and other supports that I feel are doing amazing work. Hazel’s Heroes are proud to offer weekend retreats for mothers who have lost a young child. Nestled in the quiet peace of the Rocky Mountains, grieving mothers can come together and focus on parenting the children who are no longer in their arms, but who will remain forever in their hearts. Hazel’s Heroes’ mission is to provide hope and understanding to all who attend. Our retreats provide a safe and supportive environment for mothers to heal a piece of their broken hearts, to honor their...
Read MoreResource Round-Up 1: Carry You With Me
There are so many amazing and compassionate resources out there for bereaved families after their losses and as the become pregnant again. In this resource round-up, I will share some of the books, retreats, organizations and other supports that I feel are doing amazing work. BOOK: Carry You With Me, picture book by Alanna Knobben Carry You With Me is a heartfelt story of a mother’s love, loss, healing and hope. Whimsical illustrations are brought to life with deeply rooted words and symbols. Together we remember the great loves we have lost and cherish all the ways we carry them with us forever. After the loss of her son, Marshall James, mother Alanna turned to paper and pen in her grieving and healing process. Letters to her son soon evolved into the writing of...
Read MoreLife is truly precious
Today I welcome Carolyn and Adrian Aarnoutse here on Wanted Chosen Planned. As Carolyn shares her story of meeting and losing her son, Willem, I felt like I was with her, remembering my own loss and reliving those emotions. I honor the bravery of Carolyn and Adrian in opening up their heartache to us, and also I join with them in celebrating their precious baby Willem and his important life. Here is Willem’s story: I wake up every morning with the feeling that a part of me is missing; my heart is heavy and feels broken. We felt so blessed and proud to have five healthy and perfect children. Our sweet Willem came into this world with one fast push; a healthy 6lbs 5oz boy. His three sisters and one brother loved him dearly. Often, I would see them carrying...
Read MoreCelebrating Sweeties Update
What I love about Celebrating Sweeties is that it is a safe place to publicly remember children that have died. It is an unfortunate reality that our culture doesn’t know what to say to bereaved parents. What is typically said when an older person dies – “At least (s)he lived a long, full life” – does not apply. I am hoping that this will change. That we can develop a supportive and compassionate vocabulary to talk miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, and all other kids of pregnancy loss and early infant loss – not to mention the death of an older or adult child as well. That is the goal of “The Healthy Grief Movement.” New Sweeties to Celebrate It is always bittersweet for me to add a new baby or older child to the...
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