Re: Steven, you've helped me deal with the sorrow of death

From: Ann (Steven's Mom)
Date: 14 Jul 2004
Time: 08:09:23 -0700
Remote Name: 65.82.79.66

Comments

Thank you for posting this message BJ. And thanks to everyone who has posted lately. You are right, what you said about your nephew could have been said about Steven. So many of these BMT patients do not survive what they have to go through. (1 in 4 don't make it) I hope that your nephews parents are coping with their loss and please tell them that there is a national organization that really helps bereaved parents and their families: www.thecompassionatefriends.org Many people think that, after awhile, we (parents) will be back to "normal" or "recovered" from grieving the death of our child. That is not the case. You learn to adapt, go on living, incorporate the loss into your life but it will never be the same. You think about your child every day and miss them always. It helps to be able to talk to friends and family about the child and just have them listen without them changing the subject. And don't be afraid to talk about your nephew to his parents for fear of making them sad. They want to hear their child's name mentioned and remembered. And our tears are healing tears. We enjoy participating in events that help raise funds for cancer and leukemia research now such as Relay for Life, Light the Night (held in September)- go to www.lightthenight.org and the annual Step For Life Step Show for the Marrow Foundation that Steven's KKPsi Fraternity Brothers hold in his memory every April here at Troy University. We have communicated with Steven from the other side through a wonderful connection which has given us so much joy and relief. He definitely is ok now and we look forward to meeting again. Thanks again B.J. ahart@troyst.edu