Grief

Admittedly, before Kiera died, I had not experienced true, deep, overwhelming, all-consuming grief in my life. That is not to say that I haven’t had people in my life die, but I had never been so stopped in my tracks that I literally did not know where to go or what to do. Below is not a comprehensive list by any means, but are resources that I used that may help you, if you are grieving or someone in your life is grieving. Most of the resources may be most relevant to the loss of a baby or young child but broadly applies to grief in general too.

after all grief is just love with nowhere to go...

Kiera's Tree

Kiera’s grandparents in Ireland had planned to plant a tree in their yard for their first grand child after she was born. When Kiera unexpectedly died, the tree was planted in her honour.  

One night within the first few weeks, the moon can be seen through the branches creating a heart shape. Months later, many apples began to grow. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Kiera's Tree
Kiera's Tree
Heart through the branches
Heart through the branches
At night
At night
Growing apples
Growing apples
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Oh Precious, Tiny, Sweet Little One

Oh precious, tiny, sweet little one

You will always be to me

So perfect, pure and innocent

Just as you were meant to be.

We dreamed of you and your life

And all that it would be.

We waiting and longed for you to come

And join our family.

We never had the chance to play,

To laugh, to rock, to wiggle.

We long to hold you, touch you now,

And listen to you giggle.

I’ll always be your mother,

He’ll always be your dad.

You will always be our child, 

The child that we had.

But now you’re gone…but yet you’re here

We sense you everywhere.

You are our sorrow and our joy,

There’s love in every tear.

Just know our love goes deep and strong,

We’ll forget you never – 

The child we had, but never had, 

And yet, will have forever.

Author Unknown

 
 
 
 

Footprints

These are my tiny footprints 

Never touched the ground at all.

Not a single tiny footprint

That allowed me to jump or fall. 

You will hear my tiny footprints 

In the sound of falling rain. 

Small gentle drops that whisper

Of joy and not of pain. 

You will see my tiny footprints

In each butterfly’s lazy dance.

I’ll let you know I’m with you

If you give me half a chance.

You will feel my tiny footprints

In the rustle of the leaves. 

I will whisper names into the wind

And call each one that grieves.

But most of all these tiny footprints

Are found in my parents’ hearts

Cause even though I’m gone now,

We’ll never truly part.

Author Unknown