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Who am I?


My name is Laura and I have been keeping this blog since January of 2009, but my story began long before that.  On September 15, 2003 life, as I knew it, changed.  At 39 weeks pregnant, I delivered twin boys.  Both were wrapped tightly in cord.  It was the cord that took our Andrew's life just hours before he was delivered.  His twin, Jonasen, was born healthy- though we were told had we waited one more week to deliver (as originally planned) he would not be here.

I had a very difficult time trying to find my way after I lost my son.  If I found myself sad, I felt guilty because I had a child at home.  If I felt happy, I felt guilty. How could happiness exist when someone I loved so much was gone?

Though I didn't blog back in 2003, (I didn't even know what a 'blog' was) I did write.  I have journals full of letters that I have written to Andrew.  These are letters I know he will never read, and yet somehow by putting my thoughts on paper, it felt he heard every word.  I look back at those journals and I remember every bend in the road.  The pages where it was so raw- I can even see the remnants of my tears on the pages. 

This journey has been full of surprises.  I never knew that I would feel happiness again.  I never knew that it would be o.k. to feel 'full' and at peace.  Now I know that it is.  I have also learned that such feelings are only there when you are ready.  I fully understand the importance of holding on to grief and living in it.  There is something comforting in it- an old friend.  I still have moments where I cry missing my dear son.  I know that will not change, and that it is ok, but I have let go of my grip on grief.

In real life I have an amazing husband and four children at home.  My daughter was born just 15 months after I lost Andrew.  While I did not have trouble conceiving our twins or our daughter, I did need 'help' with our middle son.  My next pregnancy came easy, (that was Baby E.) but unfortunately I lost the baby on September 9, 2008.  If you have been reading for a while, you know that our last baby was born healthy in October of 2009.  I do not write about my living children here, but have another blog where I write about our daily adventures.  That blog started before this one.  When I would write about Andrew, I would label those posts- 'pause'.  It was as if I needed a moment to step back.  To remember. And for others to remember.  While I still write about him there, it is not as often as this blog feels like a home for those feelings.  A place to write what I need to- and to be read by a community that understands and will let me remember, even when I have so much to be thankful for.

I am a Christian- and very secure in my faith.
I am an elementary teacher- and know that God does not reward people with children-
Nor does He punish and take away children. 
(Trust me on that one!)

I am very active in my local hospital's support group and have spoken at two conferences for people in the medical community to help them deal with people like 'us'.

As always, thank you for reading- for writing- and for sharing your story. 
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you ever want to 'talk'.

11 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing yourself with us.

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  2. thank you, Love.

    https://www.facebook.com/michaelray.swift.1

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  3. <333 youre such an inspiration

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  4. Your story is amazing. You are an amazing person, you have overcome so much. I thank you for helping out with the hospital support groups and keeping your faith after your loss. You are a truly amazing woman, very inspiring .

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    1. Thank you. I can't ever imagine leaving the support groups. For so long (and even sometimes still) I am the one who has needed the supporting. I am happy to help as it gives his life meaning and I don't ever want to lose that! Thanks for the comment! <3

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  5. Hello.
    Im a daughter of a mother who lost a child too. I'm really sorry about everything you went through. When I entered your blog and read some of your posts, I started crying. You are really an inspiring person. After everything you went through, you still are facing life with a smile. I admire that so much. I am going through depression, and I go to a psychologist because I have suicidal thoughts, but since i read some of your posts I decided that I have to stop being sad, because there are so many good things in life, and sadness is hiding them from me. I have to get through it, and start smiling.
    Thank you.
    -Harmony

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    1. Harmony,
      I am so sorry that you are going through a difficult time. Please always know that feelings aren't right or wrong, they simply are. You're right~ you will get through and I pray you find your smile. I love that saying, Every day may not be good, but there is good in every day. Hang in there!
      (((hugs)))
      L

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  6. You're so strong :) You're a great inspiration!

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  7. "Now you're not an awestruck child.... Keep all hope alive" "Trust in who you are... Reaching for a Star" Paul @ Starry Knights Music <3

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  8. Hi Laura,

    I haven't lost my child but i already feel good and relaxing after reading your blog as i lost my mom 9 years back. It is indeed easy to live in grief but to let go is what we have to learn. Thanks for sharing your kind words and all the best.

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