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International Bereaved Mother's Day

On April 25th, 2020, I received an interesting email from  Joyce,the TEARS Foundation,Kenya Chapter Leader & Support Group Facilitator . She was informing us that every Sunday before Mother's Day , we celebrate International Bereaved Mother's day. On this day the world celebrates and acknowledges all mothers , who had children but no longer have them in their arms. It does not matter  whether it was a  pregnancy loss, in between or adult loss. Child loss is child loss.It is not a day for pity party but a day to celebrate mothers, once a mother always a mother. 

Hearing of International Bereaved Mother's day  for the first time brought much joy,having been a mother to Jaden (baby J) who passed on three weeks after birth in November 2012. My baby boy, our second born, our first son,was a such a joy.We all loved him at first sight even his big sister(2 years at the time). Is there a day to celebrate bereaved fathers and siblings?


After Jaden rested, I was in shock. I never knew that babies die(sounds funny but yes, I never imagined babies die). It was obvious to me, you get pregnant, carry baby to term and they grow and stay with you happily ever after.But the loss of  baby J ushered me into a new world of loss and hope. It opened my eyes to the fact that many families go through loss, some spoken and unspoken. Spoken because people saw the bump or the child and unspoken because it was a miscarriage and it was your secret.  Either way loss is loss and is painful. It marks the beginning of a lifetime journey.

However, there are treasures in the dark, I did not understand it when the pastor preached during the funeral, I was in so much pain.My baby had just been with us for one month from the date of birth to the day we buried him and there were treasures to be found in the pain? Well the journey of loss and grief indeed has been full of grace and treasures seven years later. I am a firm believer of not wasting my pain.

Here I am today, sharing that despite the loss, the pain, we can breath again.We can take it a step at a time, a day at a time . I have met many ladies,formed friendships and continue to encourage each other in this journey. Treasures in the dark indeed that cannot be traded for anything and born out of loss and pain.

Happy International Bereaved Mother's Day

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