Letting Tears Flow

Melody Latimer asparenting.com At some point, everyone will have to deal with loss and grief. Whether it’s the loss of a pet, relative, or friend, it can affect us in ways we never expected. I recently suffered a loss that was unexpected and quite possibly the hardest thing I’ve ever had to endure in my life. We hear sayings like, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger?” and “There’s a purpose in everything.” In the moment, these things can sound like, “You’re making a bigger deal out of this than is necessary.” I’ve been lucky to not hear any of those dismissive statements. But there are some lessons I have learned: Take your time. There’s no set amount of time that you are supposed to handle getting over the loss of someone or something you care about. Sometimes, you never get over the loss, and it’s just a matter of…

Purple Sucker

Dawn Comer What happened next? Mommy, what happened next? she begs, wanting for story, an end. But I have no context, know no story. Morning but my daughter’s eyes flit, seeking shadows in sunlight. Mommy, what happened next? Morning and my eyes stare, settling into love-heart pillow, bright pink against dull blue carpet.  Cast off casualty of nighttime. And then I understand. Lucy, did you dream? Did you see  a story in your sleep? Baby crying, Lucy says. Baby crying in daddy’s office. Purple sucker in daddy’s office. And then, Elliot angry. Baby crying. And me not needing to hear Lucy but still she says her name as if it is not even hers. Lucy baby crying in daddy’s office. Elliot angry. Lucy baby have purple sucker. Mommy! Mommy, what happened next? Her first shared dream an ache in my gut. I have no words, no end, no power, no…