Lessons I Never Wanted to Learn: Surviving the Death of a Child

Each year millions of parents suffer the death of their child. Each story is unique, but one thing remains the same: the wrenching shock and grief that become the new norm. Many books have been written about this grieving process, but not all these books offer practical suggestions to help parents take the difficult steps forward following their tragic loss. This was my reason for writing this book. My daughter died three days following the birth of her first child. This book traces the journey my husband and I took to move forward through the devastatingly sad and empty days, months, and years following her death. Woven throughout each chapter are practical, manageable steps for dealing with the despair which is implicit when one faces the death of a child. They offer suggestions for honoring the death and continuing to live a fulfilling life. These lessons were learned the hard way, through trial and error, through sadness and grief. They helped me to reach this stage where I can reflect on what worked, what did not work, and what helped me to become a fulfilled woman — though one whose heart and mind will forever know the emptiness of my daughter's death in my life.