To The Grieving Parents of the Child Who Should Be Starting Kindergarten–They Can Join My Classroom

Summer is winding down and I'm gearing up for a new school year. Yesterday, I sat down to finish my mailing for my new Kindergarten students. I worked my way through the list, personalizing each letter with my student's name (I feel like it adds a little extra love when you put pen to paper…

I Won’t Be Coming To Work Today–I Had A Miscarriage

I called in sick after my first miscarriage. I’m not going to list the reasons why.  If you’ve ever had a miscarriage, then you know why. If you haven't, then words can't quite justify the pain and agony endured. But, what do you say? “To whom it may concern--I won’t be coming to work today…

How To Support Someone Grieving During A Time Of Social Distancing

Two weeks into quarantine, I recieved a call from my friend telling me that her mother had died. While we knew she was sick and the prognosis was not great, the swiftness of it all was quite a shock. We spent several minutes crying together and wondering out loud at the finality of a beloved…

15 Quotes To Bring You Comfort After Pregnancy & Infant Loss

Sometimes there are no words to truly explain what it's like to have your baby die. It can be hard to find a way to explain your heartbreak and your grief. But, sometimes there are words that come close. Words that resonate with your experience. Sometimes you find the words that your heart needs. Here…

My child has died, but their name lives on.

My Child Has Died, But Their Name Lives On

Before she was born, I knew our daughter would be Dorothy. From the very first time that her name graced my lips, I knew it would be the name that I wanted to speak forever.  In high school, I used to doodle my name with the surname of my celebrity crush so I could look…

Even Though The World Is In Crisis, I’m Still Allowed To Grieve My Baby Who Died

Lately, it's been a struggle for me to write. There's so much grief inside of me and usually I cope by sharing with others. But, I sit down to write and the words won't come. Even though there's so much that I want to share, right now doesn't feel like the right time. Because right…

I Waited Your Whole Life To Meet You And I Had To Say Goodbye

I used to rub my stomach and whisper to you. "Hey there baby girl. What are you doing in there?" "Hi sweetheart, I can't wait to meet you." So many moments imagining what it would be like to say hello. To see your face. To welcome you into the world. Days spent curled up in…

Read An Unexpected Family Outing’s 10 Most-Read Pieces of 2019

Here I sit at the end of another year. Another year of putting myself out there and sharing pieces of my story in the hopes of helping someone else cope with the pieces of their own. Another year of sitting in front of a keyboard trying to find words to capture the thoughts and feelings…