When a child loses a parent they become an orphan. When a spouse loses their partner, they become a widow/widower. There is not a word to describe a parent who loses a child. A mother simply known as Sofia’s mom says it is because there is not a word to describe the pain. A year ago parents of the twenty children who were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary joined the this club that none asked to be part of.
Anniversaries are hard. So on this first anniversary, we honor the parents, families and friends of those who grieve by sharing the stories of parents who did not let evil win.
“Evil Did Not Win”
The parents of Emilie Parker, Robbie and Alissa felt “paralyzed” over how much power evil had on that day at Sandy Hook. This week they shared a video that has shared all of the unexpected good that is in their life now and celebrates the joy and good of their daughter.
“Evil didn’t win that day. We’ll carry on that love that she had”
Giving Back Life
Liz and Steve Alderman ‘s son Peter died on 9/11. They turned their anger into good by founding the Peter C. Alderman Foundation (PCAF) to heal the emotional wounds of survivors of terrorism and mass violence by training indigenous mental health care workers to treat their local traumatized populations.
“When you get involved in something bigger than yourself, you no longer grieve all the time.”
GRIEF IS LOVE.
The mention of my child’s name
May bring tears to my eyes,
But it never fails to bring
Music to my ears.
If you are really my friend,
Let me hear the beautiful music of her name.
It soothes my broken heart
And sings to my soul.
~ Author Unknown