Spring has sprung, the weather is getting warmer and while we want to be outside doing things we haven't been able to do all winter, there may be days where it will be nice to chill and just catch up on reading a book. March is National Reading Month. If you’re ever in need of resources related to pregnancy, parenting, grief or loss, Healing Grace has a lending library and is glad to help with finding the resources you are looking for. See our library below to see what we have available, here. What are a few books you might recommend to new parents?
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I was brought to tears by a Mason jar, yes a Mason jar yesterday morning. Standing over the stove, fresh bacon sizzling away in my maw-maw’s cast iron pan as I reached for my trusty Mason jar of bacon grease to refill. Ah yes, the bacon grease, I am a southern girl at heart, born and raised… While I don’t slather everything with bacon grease these days, I learned how to cook from my grandmother and there are things, such as cornbread that olive oil or coconut oil simply cannot be used to cook, so yes, I am guilty of still saving my bacon grease! Who would have thought my relatively quiet and uneventful morning would have sent me on a journey down memory lane. Cooking has always been a way for me to feel connected to those who’ve gone before me, family members have left recipes and holding those hand written recipe cards or using a passed down kitchen utensil makes my time in the kitchen so much more special. A treasured memory of mine does indeed involve bacon grease and a mason jar. My cousin’s mom, Kathy gave me my “season” grease jar and would regularly refill it for me as I was in high school learning to cook. Then again after college when I’d moved back closer to home I would answer the door to her daughter Tiffany delivering my bacon grease when Kathy had overfilled her jar or I’d get a call to come by and pick some up, man I loved to get those calls! Kathy passed away in 2011, leaving her daughter and her family here to miss her. While I have plenty of other happy memories of Kathy and Tiffany, there isn’t a time that goes by when I cook bacon and refill my Mason jar that that sweet lady doesn’t cross my mind… Much like the Mason jar that I now refill in my own kitchen, we rely on friends and family to make memories throughout our lifetime and those memories fill our own “Mason jars.” Remember to cherish your loved ones while they are here, fill their jars with memories while you can! Do you have a favorite memory from a loved one? Share it with us below!
Oftentimes after the loss of an infant, child, or loved one. I came across thoughts of mine from some years ago and don’t share them to hurt feelings of those close to me, I share them with bereaved parents. I want bereaved parents to know that what you are feeling and anything you may be experiencing, I get it. I’m here if you ever need to talk. Alone….. Over my last four years, I have felt this emotion too many times to count. As I’ve continued to grow and discover things about myself, my losing Samantha, and the emotions that controlled me, I still don’t understand why so many people in my life left me, my husband and I alone, but they did. I don’t say this to offend, hurt, or blame anyone, as I love my family and friends dearly but in our greatest time of need, we were told to move on and try again. There were those who felt the need to compare our loss. Others completely shut down, blocked out all conversations that anything had ever even occurred.
Alone… I realize that growing up in the southern culture may be different from so many other cultures out there. We tend to keep to ourselves, lead very private lives when it comes to difficulties or hard times. Though, it doesn’t make me feel any differently about how alone my husband and I have felt throughout our journey, I do understand where some of our friends and family were coming from. Thinking it was better not to pry, not to force a conversation. Alone…There were other loved ones who didn’t realize how hard Kris and I took our loss, even several years later, they’re surprised that either one of us remembers her or wants to dedicate time to helping those in similar situations. For these folks, my hope is that they remain aware of families like ours, that they take the time to pay attention and to be there for those who need them the most. I am constantly trying to add resources (online and especially local) for the families that we serve. If you or someone you know have a group or organization that would like to be included in one of of many resource pages, please feel free to contact us!
You can find the Healing Grace Facebook Support group online here. |
Author:Just a girl, a wife, angel mother and friend... An infant loss parent, post menopausal 20 something year old and brain surgery survivor...I've been through alot and have a lot to share! Popular Posts
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