“I could shelve my own sentimentalities and give her what she should never have to ask for.” This might be my new definition of parenting in crisis. Another powerful piece!
Thinking of you, Patricia, and of Alexandra. Not a day goes by when I don't think of all my friends and all the parents who have lost their children to cancer. It's so unfair and I'm so sorry. Thank you for sharing Alexandra's story <3
Thank you for your kind words. I would never want you to feel bad that your daughter is still here and mine is not. 💜 I do not feel that way at all. She taught me so much in her five years. I am nothing but grateful for her presence in my life.
This essay is gorgeous and heartbreaking. I'm so happy your Carolyn is thriving. Tell her a stranger on the internet hopes she gives Snuffle Bunny a big hug.
As the mother of a daughter with cystic fibrosis, who has watched my friends lose their daughters to the same disease, I held my breath reading this. Your writing is beautiful and I’m so glad your daughter is doing well. Those hospital days stay with you, don’t they?
Oh, they stay, and it's so hard to explain....but you truly never forget it. Her hospital room is the easiest thing to call to mind and has been for a while- I can even still smell it.
This piece is one of the most beautiful things I've read in a while. And it's terrible too, of course. "When the ER doctor looked into my face, her eyes like two small worlds . . ." Sending love to you and your daughter and Snuffle Bunny.
Oh, Elizabeth. I don't know you or your daughter (or Snuffle), but I feel like I do after reading your essay. I have not lost a child, but my parents lost two (both my sisters), so I have a different perspective, no less painful and encompassing. All love, light, prayers, and strength to the three of you.
I can’t imagine going through this with your child. I have gone through it with my mother-in-law, but that is different. Of course you aren’t a bad mom, how could you know what to expect or anything else?
I love your writing style, how you assimilate and make us feel like we are right there going through it with you.
This is so beautiful and so moving. I had a brother who passed at 2 years old (I was 10) due to heart defect and it was devastating and life changing for me - but painful on a whole other level for my mom. Thank you for sharing your story. I am relieved to see in your comments that she is a thriving 13 year old:)
Thanks so much. It has been many years but I think of him often and am grateful for the time I did have with him and beautiful memories and photos. he is always in my heart, a beautiful angel.
“I could shelve my own sentimentalities and give her what she should never have to ask for.” This might be my new definition of parenting in crisis. Another powerful piece!
thank you so much, Tanya <3 that means the world!
My heart goes out to you. My daughter passed in 2007, age 5, of a glioblastoma located at the pons of her brain.
Her ashes and favourite bear, “Tigwa” a polar bear are on a shelf in my home office.
You are not a bad mom. You are a woman who is doing the best she can with an unfathomable situation.
I wrote a book about my daughter, Alexandra’s journey to help parents going through the experience and the grief.
I hope Carolyn’s outcome is not like Alexandra’s. My heart and prayers are with you.
Thinking of you, Patricia, and of Alexandra. Not a day goes by when I don't think of all my friends and all the parents who have lost their children to cancer. It's so unfair and I'm so sorry. Thank you for sharing Alexandra's story <3
Thank you for your kind words. I would never want you to feel bad that your daughter is still here and mine is not. 💜 I do not feel that way at all. She taught me so much in her five years. I am nothing but grateful for her presence in my life.
This was such a heart wrench of a read. Elizabeth, wow and thank you for every exhilarating poignant word 💖
thank you so, so much <3
Dear Elizabeth, this is written so beautifully. I actually listen to it and felt my heart pounding. This is such a familiar story and many ways.
Carolyn and snuffle bunny so sweet.
Thank you for all that you do. This piece had a beautiful transmission. I appreciate you and your family. Thank you.
Thank you so much <3
What an honest, raw, beautiful story. Thank you for sharing.
I'll just be over here picking up the tiny pieces of my broken heart.
❤️❤️❤️
This essay is gorgeous and heartbreaking. I'm so happy your Carolyn is thriving. Tell her a stranger on the internet hopes she gives Snuffle Bunny a big hug.
thank you, from both of us (and Snuffle Bunny)!
As the mother of a daughter with cystic fibrosis, who has watched my friends lose their daughters to the same disease, I held my breath reading this. Your writing is beautiful and I’m so glad your daughter is doing well. Those hospital days stay with you, don’t they?
Oh, they stay, and it's so hard to explain....but you truly never forget it. Her hospital room is the easiest thing to call to mind and has been for a while- I can even still smell it.
Sending love to you and your daughter <3
This piece is one of the most beautiful things I've read in a while. And it's terrible too, of course. "When the ER doctor looked into my face, her eyes like two small worlds . . ." Sending love to you and your daughter and Snuffle Bunny.
well now I'm crying, thank you <3
Oh, Elizabeth. I don't know you or your daughter (or Snuffle), but I feel like I do after reading your essay. I have not lost a child, but my parents lost two (both my sisters), so I have a different perspective, no less painful and encompassing. All love, light, prayers, and strength to the three of you.
I'm so sorry for your loss of your sisters and for what your family went through. Sending light and love your way <3
Beautiful and captivating. It’s left me longing to know how your daughter is doing today.
Thank you so much, I'm relived to share that she is a thriving 13 year old!
I can’t imagine going through this with your child. I have gone through it with my mother-in-law, but that is different. Of course you aren’t a bad mom, how could you know what to expect or anything else?
I love your writing style, how you assimilate and make us feel like we are right there going through it with you.
thank you so much, Kim <3
Stunning, in every sense of the word.
Thank you 💕
This is so beautiful and so moving. I had a brother who passed at 2 years old (I was 10) due to heart defect and it was devastating and life changing for me - but painful on a whole other level for my mom. Thank you for sharing your story. I am relieved to see in your comments that she is a thriving 13 year old:)
thank you, I'm so sorry to hear about your brother. I'm sending you lots of warmth and healing thoughts <3
Thanks so much. It has been many years but I think of him often and am grateful for the time I did have with him and beautiful memories and photos. he is always in my heart, a beautiful angel.