Você está na página 1de 2

To Our Family and Friends

Thank you for your kind words, your thoughts


and your prayers in this difficult time. Although

we are grieving the loss of our child, we are

fortunate to have such caring family and friends


close to us.

As we grieve, we know that there will be some

awkward, even difficult moments between us.

We appreciate your patience and understanding


and hope the experience of our loss will eventu-

ally strengthen the bonds between us. In the

meantime, we would like to share the thoughts


on the back of this card that may help provide

you with a better understanding of our situation.


>> Helpful Thoughts
1. Don’t be afraid to speak my child’s name. I need to
hear his name.

2. If I cry or get emotional when we talk about my child,


please know that it isn’t because you have hurt me. The
fact that my child has died has caused my tears. You
have allowed me to cry and I thank you. Crying and
emotional episodes are healing.

3. Please do not remove pictures and other reminders of


my child from your home. I’m keeping mine.

4. I will have emotional highs and lows, ups and downs. If


I’m having a good day, it doesn’t mean I’ve stopped
grieving. If I’m having a bad day, it doesn’t mean I need
counseling.

5. I wish others knew that the death of a child is different


from other losses. Please don’t compare it to the loss of
a parent, spouse or pet.

6. I need you to be around. Please don’t shy away from


me because I am grieving.

7. I wish others knew that all of the “crazy” grief reactions


I’m having are actually very normal. Depression, anger,
frustration, hopelessness and the questioning of values
and beliefs can all be expected following the death of a
child.

8. Please don’t expect my grief to be finished in six months.

9. I wish you understood the physical reactions to grief. I


may gain or lose weight, become ill or accident-prone,
and experience drastic changes to my sleeping patterns.

10. Our child’s birthday, the anniversary of her death, and


holidays may be difficult times for us. Please remind us
that you are thinking of our child on these days. If we
are quiet and withdrawn, please know that we are
thinking about our child and everything will be okay.

11. Please do not offer me alcohol or drugs. The only way I


can handle my grief is to experience it. I have to hurt
before I can heal.

12. Please understand that grief changes people. I am not


the same person I was before my child died … and I
may never be again. I may have new thoughts, dreams,
aspirations, values and beliefs. Please try to get to
know the new me. We may become closer than ever.

13. While we appreciate your support and understanding,


sometimes we just need to be alone.

Você também pode gostar