Outliving our children

As a mom who has outlived her son for 33 years now, I wanted to stop by and tell you that you are not forgotten. We live on and honor the lively children we want to honor and remember; and, as time passes and heals, we learn to embrace our sorrow when it wells up and to recognize it as the inside-out expression of or love that has no place to go.  My on son was in first grade when he died suddenly in an accident.  It took a very long time just to wrap my mind around the idea that he was gone.  I will never forget him; but I know he would approve of his mom being happy, so I make it a point to live the life he would want for me.  This year, on the anniversary of his death, I will have the opportunity to be a mystery reader in a first-grade class.  His niece, born to the brother who arrived after he was gone, is a student in that class, and I will read them his favorite book and think of a time long ago when I read it to my son.  I know he will smile when he hears it, and I will imagine for just a moment that he is sitting there with the other first-graders.  Then I'll go home and shed a tear or two, I am sure; but I will be proud to honor his memory in this way.  I wish you all a path to things that restore your love of living and bring back the sweetest memories of the children you have outlived.