AnniekNY Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Hi everyone - our very own Betsey suffered a tragic loss this week - her niece's 7 year old daughter died very suddenly and their family needs our prayers to help them get through this very difficult time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marlene Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 I am SO sad to hear this news. Betsey, you and your family have my deepest sympathy and prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kiwi Connection Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 So Sorry to hear of your loss Betsey. You and your family have our most heartfelt sympathy and our prayers.Marilyn and Murray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkpat Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Terrible news. My heart and prayers go out to Betsey. I lost a child sixteen years ago and not a day goes by I don't think of her at some point.Very sad to hear this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneG Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Betsey, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this tragic time.Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspberries4ever Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 I'm so sorry to hear this sad news. We, too, lost a child (22 years ago -- seems like yesterday sometimes...). Betsey, you and your family are being held close in my thoughts & prayers. I'm sorry for your loss too, Pat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Betsey-You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. It must be heartbreaking for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bessieboo Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Betsey,I am so sorry to hear this terrible news.You and your family have my deepest sympathy and prayers. Beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollies65 Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Losing a child that young has got to be the most difficult thing life can throw at you. You'll be in my prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hungryeyes Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Betsey,You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. So sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnniekNY Posted July 29, 2007 Author Share Posted July 29, 2007 Pat and Pat: I am so sorry for your losses. Thank you for sharing to help our Betsey!Is there anything you remember as being particularly helpful and comforting that we could do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecstasy Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 I can't imagine such a terrible loss. Our sympathy and prayers are with you at this time. Let us know how we can best support you and your family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspberries4ever Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Annie, For us, a support group was very helpful. We attended our first meeting less than 2 weeks after our baby died and continued going to meetings until after our next child was born. The support of people who have lived through the same type of tragedy and truly understand where you are is helpful, comforting and encouraging. There is a national support group called "The Compassionate Friends". You could check with the local hospital to see if there's a chapter in Betsey's area. An internet search may have information on other groups. Also, someone gave us the advice "Be kind to yourself". It's the only piece of advice I remember. If we were invited somewhere that we thought would make us uncomfortable we just didn't go. We didn't force ourselves to be in situations that would hurt too much. It didn't matter what it was. Everyone grieves differently, but this is what was helpful for us. Betsey is fortunate to have a friend like you. Just being there for her will be a blessing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkpat Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Annie,You know, I think it depends on the individual as far as support groups go. While I'm glad to hear it helped Raspberries4ever, I know it made it worse for me. My wife at the time, got alot out of the support group, too, seeing how many people had this happen to them made her realize that we weren;t any different than anyone else. She made friends with a number of the people that attended, but everyone eventually drifted off over the years, as that is an odd thing to have started a common bond of friendship over.For me, I couldn't believe just how many people went through it and seeing four and five different couples every week coming in with new stories and crying along with them just absolutely ate me up and ripped my heart out.As stated above, everyone grieves differently, though, so maybe it is something they want to try and see how it goes.When we attended, the thought process of "you are not alone in this" is difficult to comprehend, but it helped my wife.As a deeply religious person, at the time, I felt betrayed and confused by my religion, not understanding how or why this could possibly happen. There is an amazing song out by the group Casting Crowns (just saw them again last weekend in Chicago) about an eleven year old girl that died, titled "Praise You In This Storm". While it does not help me with the loss of my Jennifer, it does help me tremendously with the religious aspect of it all, if they need help on that end.(Even though the song "Photograph" by Ringo Starr is written about a guy/girl relationship, I can't listen to it without tearing up, thinking about my daughter.)I can't begin to tell you how proud I am of each of my daughters, two born before her and two born after her death, all taking "Jennifer" as their Confirmation name in her honor. It shows the impact her life had on our family.It's definately a long road to deal with and I'm not sure there is a right way to handle it, but trying the group might help. I hope so.I will keep them in my prayers. No one should have to go through this alone. Be there, if only to listen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuliaAllByMyself Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Betsey, my heart goes out to you and your family at this awful time. Take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneG Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Support groups can help, or hinder, the lengthy grieving process, but no one should go through this alone. The biggest danger is that one hides away in seculsion while grieving and detaches from society/community in an unhealthy way. We all know people who have gone through tragedies, or have walked those dark tortuous roads ourselves. Don't let someone get to a place where she/he can't be found.Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julesberry Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Betsey, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMMY TUNES Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Betsyboo. My sincere condolences. TT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherberries Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Betsey, my prayers are with your family.Sher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Betsey--thinking of you at this difficult time. You're in our prayers.--Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheScentLady Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Betsey, may the notes that have been posted here give you comfort & strength during this difficult time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HT from Mo Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 So sorry to hear of your tragic loss Betsey. My heart goes out to you. I will pray for you and your family.Take care. Just know that we all love you here on ec.comHT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAM Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Your family is in my prayers Betsey. So sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Sorry to hear about your niece's daughter. Praying for you all. Kirk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betsey Posted August 5, 2007 Share Posted August 5, 2007 Thanks to all of you wonderful people for your thoughts, prayers and messages of suppport. My niece's 7 year old daughter became ill suddenly in Boston last week, was soon unconscious and taken to Massachusetts General Hospital where she slipped into a coma. In a few hours she was pronounced brain dead. This was all from a virulent strain of bacterial meningitis. Our family is reeling from this terrible shock and I am so grateful for my other "family" here on ec.com. I am touched by your concern. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.