Thirteen years ago today, our second child, and first son, was born. He made a surprise appearance eight weeks before his due date and, tragically, died of SIDS only 32 days later. His life, and then his death, turned our lives upside down and inside out.
His birthday has always been a little different from the anniversary of his death. The anniversary is simply a day of painful memories. His birthday is bittersweet. We can't help but recall everything beautiful, funny and happy that we experienced with and because of him in the short time he was here, but we're also acutely aware of the pain of losing him and the emptiness where he should be. I can't sit around the table with my family or pile into the car with the kids or kiss them good night without feeling something missing. And I can't imagine what he'd be like as a brand-new teenager.
I know it will be like this for as long as I live. I will always wonder, "What if...?" Each year that passes I will try to imagine what he'd be doing new this year, what he would be like, what our family would be like if he had lived. I fell apart a little when The Viking got home from work today and as he was holding me close I mumbled into his shirt front, "I'm going to be doing this when I'm 85, aren't I?" And he said gently, "Yes, you are."
Yes, I am. I will always know how old my babe would be, will always remember his sweet, little face, will always wonder what he'd be up to right about now and will always look forward eagerly to being reunited with him in Heaven. And always, at the end of September, I will slip into a funk.
Happy Thirteenth Birthday, Little Koosh. Mama loves you and misses you terribly.
3 comments:
Oh, tears and hugs for you... It's strange how dates and times are remembered into our subconscious. I experience a similar funk at the end of August and then realize it is the time of my due date for my first child that would have been 6 this year. I, too, wonder what could have been. There's nothing to erase the pain, as you know. Just know that somewhere in Wisconsin, another mom is thinking of you and praying for you and your son.
Thank you, Linny. I always say it's a Sisterhood to which no one wants any new members.
I wish I could give you a big hug. In heaven we'll all be together... and you will see your precious boy. God bless.
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