The Tough choice of Termination
I welcome Julie Bindeman here on Wanted Chosen Planned for a special guest post today. All stories shared on WCP may prove to be triggers for other grievers. I want to preface this post by saying that everyone’s experiences of loss are different; we all make different choices and grieve in our own unique ways. Termination is a sensitive topic for many. A controversial topic. I welcome Julie’s story here – and the stories of others – because this is a safe place and I believe that there is power in breaking the taboo around the conversation of loss, weather we agree or not. Wanted Chosen Planned is “no-judgement” zone. Here is Julie’s story: When my son was about 18 months old, my husband and I decided that it was time to...
Read MoreOctober Baby Loss Events
Baby loss events can be immensely comforting for those who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, and other kinds of pregnancy and infant losses. I remember attending my first event, the Walk to Remember, when I was still pregnant with Zachary, only two weeks before he died. I knew Zach would pass and attending the walk was hard, but it did give me a glimpse of what was to come. When I say that, what I mean is I got a preview of the supportive community of families who have also walked this journey. On what may feel like a lonely experience of grief, truly there are many others out there who can offer compassionate support. No one should walk this journey alone. Now, almost seven years after Zachary’s death, I find baby loss events a wonderful...
Read MoreLast Two Days to Remember your Baby in Expecting Sunshine Documentary
Expecting Sunshine documentary needs your help to finish the film. If you have been affected by and feel strongly for the topic of pregnancy and infant loss, grief and healing – please join us on the journey of making a cultural difference. SPECIAL FINAL OFFERING Thursday, July 13 & Friday, July 14 ONLY Donate to the Expecting Sunshine Documentary crowdfunding campaign and have the baby you lost, your rainbow baby, supporter name or business name listed in the credit roll of the film. We need your help. Please contribute and be a part of this meaningful project! THANK YOU!! ABOUT EXPECTING SUNSHINE FILM: The film documents an actual pregnancy of Alexis Marie Chute as she grapples with the unique challenges of the loss of a baby and the “new...
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...
Read MoreFather’s Day for the Bereaved Dad
Father’s Day can be challenging for the bereaved dad, just like Mother’s Day is for the bereaved mom. It only adds to the problem when fathers who have lost a child do not receive the support they need (but may not ask for) after their loss. This is not a fact I recognized around the time of Zachary’s passing, which I am sorry for. I was very introspective and self-focused back then, which is okay when you are trying to hold it together yourself. I still attempted to be there for my husband, though I’m not sure if I did a good job of it. My husband Aaron resumed life quickly after our loss, which at the time hurt me deeply. I felt abandoned by my partner and couldn’t see that he was grieving. Boy, was I wrong! I did not appreciate...
Read More