A New Overcoat
A dear friend of mine lost family members in a plane crash a few years ago, including children and grandchildren.
She told me that the loss of a child is like putting on a very heavy overcoat that you will wear the rest of your life. It changes you forever. You sill function and go on with life. But the coat is always there. Some days it is heavy, other days it is lighter.
Over time, it does get lighter.
This helps me a lot. It also gives me a shorthand I can use when people ask how I am doing. For example, tonight when out oldest daughter called, I could tell her the last couple of days have been “very heavy coat days” and she understands what that means.
I have had a few “light coat” days, like when Ron and I have gone biking or running in the beautiful fall weather. Or when I came home to a surprise of all my fall decorations out!
But the coat is always there. I will wear it always.
Grief, Loss of a child, support for parents who lost a child
lynnabbottstudios
I like analogy… it expresses my experience with grief perfectly! Thank you.
KathleenBDuncan
Be sure to read Part Two from a few weeks later. I just posted a link.
https://kathleenbduncan.com/2013/12/20/i-have-amazing-friends/
emalouking
Excellent!
February Favorites #11: A New Overcoat | kathleenbduncan
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reta
I think it is true. I have lost a younger bro, 23 days after his 23rd birthday, dad 10 yrs. 2 months to exact day and mother 6 yrd later a day after bro died. Had a hard time to this day especially holiday and birthdays I think we all have memories of special days after we have lost a loved one. Many don ot talk about
Throwback Thursday: A New Overcoat | kathleenduncan
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