Twenty-four years ago, email was new, there was no gmail or yahoo, group emails were difficult to send, and there was no such thing as a blog. But I was desperate to communicate so I did the best I could. For those of you who knew me then, you know I’m talking about my son Forrest who was two when he was diagnosed with a liver cancer that would ultimately end his life. The week before diagnosis, he and I had been in San Francisco visiting friends. The following Tuesday, he was in the ICU at Albany Medical in upstate New York. For the next eighteen months, and for years afterwards, I wrote to anyone who was interested to let them know how Forrest was, and then how I was as I figured out how to live without him. That writing and the community it started saved my emotional life.
Five degrees this morning! Thank you for your photo of the ice-clad Pussy willows. They are survivors - as are you. Survive and thrive. I am listening, and I'm better for knowing your on-going connection with Forrest.
When my child was an infant (I was all of 22), I knew a girl with a baby boy, who was just a few months older than my son. He had a very rare and fatal blood disease. They spent a lot of time at City of Hope in California. He was so compromised that a small cold would turn into pneumonia and he’d be in an oxygen tent in the hospital.
I had a chance to hold this dear babe in my arms for a while, while his mother was making arrangements to get her small, sick baby to the hospital once again. I remember holding him, looking at my son, and thinking, “my baby is healthy.” Why?
I learned so much at that moment about a mother’s love, compassion and understanding the shoes that others walk in.
Dustin also died at the age of 2. His mother said to me, “He chose me to be his mother. He was put on earth for a short while and it was my job to make that lifetime the best it could be for him. That’s why he chose me to be his mother.”
I’ll never forget the life-changing wisdom that came from such a young woman.
I bow to these mothers and, in my heart, share their grief- even though my son was healthy.
Bar...We listened then and are listening now. I continue to be amazed at your strength, compassion and resiliency! Thank you for sharing your heart with us. Proud of you!
thinking of you Bar. Forrest was a beautiful son and your memories of him shine through each and every day. Thank you for sharing - straight from your heart! Sending you big hugs!
I love this and I love you. Your beautiful stories of Forrest have been on my mind since last week because I saw the upcoming anniversary on my calendar. Thank you so much for sharing Forrest with us, amazing mama. xOOOO
Sending big hugs 🤗 your way. I always thought it was so amazing how you shared your journey with us and so deeply appreciated. 🩷
Your beautiful story of you and Forrest before and after--whew. WE have had a glimpse into your interior of love
Five degrees this morning! Thank you for your photo of the ice-clad Pussy willows. They are survivors - as are you. Survive and thrive. I am listening, and I'm better for knowing your on-going connection with Forrest.
When my child was an infant (I was all of 22), I knew a girl with a baby boy, who was just a few months older than my son. He had a very rare and fatal blood disease. They spent a lot of time at City of Hope in California. He was so compromised that a small cold would turn into pneumonia and he’d be in an oxygen tent in the hospital.
I had a chance to hold this dear babe in my arms for a while, while his mother was making arrangements to get her small, sick baby to the hospital once again. I remember holding him, looking at my son, and thinking, “my baby is healthy.” Why?
I learned so much at that moment about a mother’s love, compassion and understanding the shoes that others walk in.
Dustin also died at the age of 2. His mother said to me, “He chose me to be his mother. He was put on earth for a short while and it was my job to make that lifetime the best it could be for him. That’s why he chose me to be his mother.”
I’ll never forget the life-changing wisdom that came from such a young woman.
I bow to these mothers and, in my heart, share their grief- even though my son was healthy.
Beautiful, Bar. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Bar...We listened then and are listening now. I continue to be amazed at your strength, compassion and resiliency! Thank you for sharing your heart with us. Proud of you!
XO Mary
thinking of you Bar. Forrest was a beautiful son and your memories of him shine through each and every day. Thank you for sharing - straight from your heart! Sending you big hugs!
I love this and I love you. Your beautiful stories of Forrest have been on my mind since last week because I saw the upcoming anniversary on my calendar. Thank you so much for sharing Forrest with us, amazing mama. xOOOO
Dear Bar - Thinking about you today, and the months before and after Forrest's death, when I learned so much about life from you. Sending you love <3