Approaching Mother’s Day is tough for many of us… Jane, our Counselling and Bereavement Services Manager, shares some thoughts.
I was talking to someone, Jo the other day who was saying how sad she was feeling. Jo’s mother died several years ago and whilst she is happy and living a full and active life, this time of year she finds hard.
She told me how she doesn’t like going shopping because the shops are full of messages for mums. She doesn’t like listening to the radio because people are suggesting all the wonderful days out they can plan. Facebook is full of beautiful bouquets. Twitter tweets all her friend’s messages to their mother’s.
Jo looked at me with eyes of longing and sadness. “I wish I could buy Mum a card and tell her how much I love her. I miss her.”
“Why don’t you write her a card?” I asked her. “Tell her you miss her.”
Jo looked at me and replied, “Yes…yes I could do that and me and the kids could go and feed the ducks in the park just like we always did with her.”
As I watched her walk away looking a little lighter I thought about all the different, special ways people can remember their mothers. I thought about how mothers can remember their gorgeous children who left the world too early.
And my hope is that, that each person who is grieving the loss of their loved on this Mother’s Day, be they a mother or a child, is to find a way to remember them and hold the love in their heart.
Anyone whose loved one was cared for by the Martlets is very welcome to make contact with our Bereavement Service by calling 01273 273400 or emailing bereavement@martlets.org.uk
Useful Services and information:
Cruse Bereavement Service
Cruse offer a bereavement helpline to give support as you need it in addition to their website where you can also find resources on how to support your child.
www.cruse.org.uk/Children/loss-from-childs-perspective
Winston’s Wish
Winston’s Wish has a wealth of resources and advice on how to support your child through bereavement, whilst also dealing with your own grief. They also have a free phone helpline you can call.
Childhood Bereavement UK
Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement.