We have just passed the 4 year anniversary of the death of my daughter. She was 29 and left behind her daughter who was only 10 days away from her 10th birthday. Every year at this time is awful. I feel it starts in August and gradually builds until we get to September 20 and this feeling of dreadful longing stays with me until Christmas. This year has been so bad. I have felt completely torn The ache and emptiness is so consuming. I don’t want it to be this long. People say I should be over this by now but I cannot bear the thought , the knowing I will never see my beautiful girl again. Never hug her or laugh with her.
Hello @Essentially-Jane,
I can see that you’re new to the community. I hope you find it to be a support to you, but I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter that brings you here.
I’m sure someone will be along to offer their support, but I wanted to share some resources which may be helpful right now.
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The Compassionate Friends support families who have lost a child of any age. You can call them on 0345 123 2304
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Our Grief Guide self-help platform which has information, resources and advice to help you through your grief
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Our Grief Coach text service, which sends you personalised text support via SMS
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Our free Online Bereavement Counselling which is held via video chat
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Our Bereavement Information pages which can walk you through what you are going through.
Thank you again for sharing – please keep reaching out and know that you are not alone.
Take care,
Seaneen
I wouldn’t listen to people who tell you that you should be over this by now. If they haven’t lost a child of their own, then they don’t know what they are talking about. I don’t think you will find anyone who’s lost a child say they’ve got over it. It is possible to learn to live with it. That’s hard enough and a credit to you that you are trying. It’s your grief and you don’t have to follow anyone else’s timetable. There’s no rules about what or how to grieve the loss of a a child you gave birth to. You keep them in your heart forever. Cos you love them. You are still her mum and she is still your daughter. That will never change. Sending you very best wishes and I hope you keep posting on here because we ‘get it’ cos it’s happened to us and you will get support from people who are learning to live with it too. You aren’t alone xxxxxx
It’s unbearable isn’t it. I felt every word you’ve written. People just don’t understand the depth of this kind of pain. I’ve joined this community in the hope that I can give and receive support and understanding as I just don’t get it in my day to day life.
The pain is so raw, probably will never go away. As parents, we should protect our children, however old. I am in the first stage of this terrible grief. I have no idea how to get through this or if I want to. I would like to go and join my darling boy wherever he is. Please reach out to me if you need help xx
I’m so so sorry, grief can be unbearable…….
Essentially - Jane I really do empathise with your feelings. My daughter’s death 7 months ago has devastated our family. But when I know a special date or celebration is coming up, the dreaded feelings start to build inside me, and the heartache just keeps deepening. I have found some relief in journalling and following drawing tutorials on youtube (called zentangles) that make me concentrate on the thing I’m drawing or writing about, and not be so consumed by my sad thoughts about my darling girl. She was 34 years old with everything to live for, but was a victim of severe depression. I hope you can find ways to deal with your grief, in your own way and in your own time. Personally I don’t ever want my grief to disappear, because its how I honour my love for my daughter. But I do want to be able to somehow use it to help someone else.
I wish I had known about this community 4 years ago when o Emily died. Thank you for all your messages. This is a terrible time My other daughters have no desire whatsoever to celebrate and this year is the first time we have felt able to come together over the days between Christmas and new year as a group.
I really feel the pain of others more sharply too.