General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFor those very special Moms . . . . .
. . . . . . . . the Moms who have, for so many painful, awful, terrible, inexplicable reasons, outlived their child.
The mothers of Newtown.
The mothers of sons and daughters who went willingly to serve their country's call.
The mothers of cops and firefighters who met with a bad guy, or a stubborn fire, bent on destruction.
But no less to the mothers who have lost their children to drugs, to crime, to stray bullets while sitting on the stoop.
The mothers who have lost children to childhood diseases.
To mothers who, wherever they might live, have lost children to starvation, civil war, dictatorial power struggles. the vagaries of a left over land mine.
To the mothers who lose a child to drunk driving.
To all mothers who, so unnaturally, have outlived a child.
This is to take nothing from the millions upon millions of moms who celebrate this day in the glow of the love of their children.
But today I think of the other moms. The Moms who continue on, in whatever way they're able, after the loss of a child.
"Happy Mother's Day" just seems so misplaced for those mothers, those for whom we can't even imagine the emotions they might feel today. I don't even know what the right sentiment is.
Autumn
(45,120 posts)It's just another day to feel a loss. Bittersweet.
Sekhmets Daughter
(7,515 posts)what choice is there really? Sometimes comforted by other children. Sometimes deeply touched by the words of a stranger. Thank you Stinky The Clown.
UtahLib
(3,179 posts)My wish for those who have suffered a heart breaking loss is to be able to remember without dwelling on the pain.
nolabear
(42,001 posts)alphafemale
(18,497 posts)I am sure his mother still loves him...but.
Stinky The Clown
(67,833 posts)These are children that are, as practical matter, much the same as dead.
I recall Jeffery Dahmer's father on various talk shows way back when. A totally defeated man.
UtahLib
(3,179 posts)For being such a kind and thoughtful person.
riverbendviewgal
(4,254 posts)He was 26 when he died of a brain tumour. It will be 14 years this October that he passed on.
May 2nd he would have been 40.
The pain is there every day. I am no longer hysterical. I miss him very much, as his dad who passed on 18 months later.
I still have my older son who is in the UK now. I have had no choice but to go on. My remaining son gave me the will to not kill myself. I could not leave him alone.
We keep on keeping on.
VPStoltz
(1,295 posts)yet still act like everyone's mom: teachers, nurses, doctors, etc.
They don't have to - but they do!
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)Thanks for your post.
blondie58
(2,570 posts)JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)their "own" children take care of the children of others. To women who are nurses, doctors, teachers, foster parents, big sisters, caregivers of all kinds. Have a wonderful day.
You are mothers to the world. You give your love to those who need it the most without asking "Is this MY child?" You are wonderful. Thank you.
easttexaslefty
(1,554 posts)pipi_k
(21,020 posts)brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you so much for your compassion...
~Mom to Pammy, who died from SIDS in 1975
MrsBrady
(4,187 posts)our culture doesn't even really acknowledge parents without children with a word, term, or phrase.
We have widows and widowers who've lost spouses.
Orphans for children without their parents.
but a parent without a child...well...there is no word....