Hey y’all! Wowza to the overwhelming response to last week’s blog post on healing after loss.  It is so amazing to me how many of us there are out there that have walked this road.  Thank you for reaching out, and sharing your stories with me, with each other, and with other women hurting.  You are each impacting the lives around you in such a great way!

As we near the end of October and the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, I wanted to do a quick little post on some amazing support resources for women (and men) that are grieving.

THERAPY

Before I start, I just want to make a quick little plug for therapy.  I have a minor in psychology and tell Reid that I am going to become a life coach one day.  For some reason, the thought of this cracks him up. 😉 I had never had the need for regular therapy, but I always thought it a great resource for those that need it.  Well . . . let me just say after being in the darkest time of my life . . . therapy ROCKS! It is truly amazing.  No shame, people.  If you need it.  Get it! My therapist hooked me up with a support group of amazing women, and she truly helped me heal.  I have no idea why she is willing to be paid to listen to me hysterically cry for an hour, but I am SO SO very thankful that she came into my life when she did.  If you are in the Dallas area and in need of a therapist, reach out to me and I can help you find some great options.  If you are outside of the Dallas area, call your OBs or your church.  They should have a running list of local therapists.

CHURCH

No matter what religious affiliation you are, or even if you have no affiliation, I know that there is a church in your area that is willing to help you! So many churches offer free support groups that anyone can join in on.  Pastors and other church staff members are also always willing to open up their office and heart to you.  I go to Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, and I wanted to just highlight two support groups that they offer in case you are in the area.

1. Infertility Support Group: Invisible Sisterhood – Longing For A Child.
   *This group meets on Thursdays. Click here to check it out and register.
2. Forever Moms: Child Loss Grief Support Group
   *This group meets on Wednesdays. Click here to check it out and register.

Also, a sweet pastor at my church allowed me to sit on her couch almost a year ago, after I lost my second baby of 2018, and let me use TWO boxes of Kleenexes while I cried and told her I didn’t understand why God was punishing me.  She was SO amazing.  Kind of embarrassing to see her at church these days considering I’m not sure she understood much through my sobbing, but she was so helpful for me.  And, hey, she was a FREE resource!

GRIEF SUPPORT WEBSITES

Mend: A Christian organization that helps families that have dealt with miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant death

Climb Support: Center for Loss in Multiple Births

MissFoundation: Offers immediate and ongoing support to grieving families

National Share Office: Offers support resources and a packet of grief information to help you on your journey.

GRIEF SUPPORT BOOKS

The following books were suggested by my therapist.  I have not read these, but I have heard amazing reviews on them.  I wanted to add them here for you in case you were interested!

I Will Carry You: The Sacred Dance of Grief and Joy by Angie Smith
This is the story of Angie & Todd Smith’s unborn daughter that was diagnosed with a condition leaving her “incompatible with life”.  The Smiths chose to carry Audrey for as long as she had life.

Mommy Please Don’t Cry by Linda DeYamaz
This book describes Heaven from a child’s eyes.  It is written from a Christian perspective, and is such a message of hope and healing.

Silent Sorrow: Pregnancy Loss Guidance and Survival for You and Your Family by Ingrid Kohn, Perry-Lynn Moffitt and Isabelle Wilkins
This book includes sections on grief, pregnancy loss, infertility, etc.  Such a great resource!

GRIEF SUPPORT GIFTS

Last, but not least, I wanted to share a very sweet website with all of you. Have you ever heard of Bottle of Tears? I had a sweet friend that sent me one of these last year, and it was something that I treasured.  Definitely check out their website!  A really sweet, sweet gift for those you want to support and love on, but aren’t sure how to.

I do hope that these resources are helpful for you.  If you know someone walking this road right now, please forward onto her.  And, if you have other support resources that you have encountered that have helped you, please send my way.

Y’all have a great week! XO