My dear friend Olga was expecting her baby girl any day. As the eagerly anticipated due date came and went and April folded into May, like a bunch of mother hens, we joyously debated the merits of a diamond birthstone vs. emerald. This morning beautiful Heidi came to this world stillborn. It was a sucker punch to the gut. The grief. The shock. The profound despair. The cruelty of Mother’s Day on the horizon. I wanted so badly for time to rewind. Do a takeover.
Suddenly I felt ashamed at the frivolity of my thoughts: shaving a minute or three off a race time, dropping 5 lbs, recovering from Boston, that had previously occupied my mind. Physical recovery is finite. How does a parent go on after losing a child?
Please join me in wishing the bereaved parents, their family and friends peace and comfort as we grieve for an angel that was taken to heaven all too soon.
ajh says
My heart goes out to all of you. I'm so sorry to hear this.
MCM Mama says
I'm so sorry. My heart breaks for your friend and her family.
Carly says
How awful! I'll be keeping them in my thoughts.
Aimee (I Tri To Be Me) says
Oh, I am so sorry for your friend's loss. Having two boys of my own, I cannot even imagine what she and her family must be going through. My thoughts and prayers are with them in this time of need.
Marlene says
Oh gosh, how terrible. My thoughts go out to the family. 🙁
marathonmaiden says
many thoughts and prayers going out your your friend and her family!
H Love says
absolutely heart breaking! praying for comfort, peace and strength for the family!
Jill says
I'm so very sorry for your friend's baby – there is nothing worse than losing a child, period! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your friend's families!! Big hugs!
Erica says
My prayers, heart and thoughts are with them tonight! I am sorry for their loss…
Her Name is Rio says
So sorry to hear about the loss of your friend's child. Sounds like Heidi made an impact on others before she was even born. Please give Olga and her family our thoughts and prayers.
Stacie says
I'm so sorry. We also lost a baby between our two beautiful girls. I'm so thankful for them. My sympathies go out to her and her family.
Heather says
I am so sorry for your friend. Thinking and praying for them.
Amanda says
Sending prayers of healing and blessings for this family.
Kerrie T. says
Thoughts and prayers to your friend.
Barefoot AngieB says
How awful…I just heard last night that my dear dear friend lost her son yesterday. What a sad time so close to mothers day to loose a child.
Sending healing and peaceful thoughts to your friend.
AM-GoalsfortheWeek! says
i'm so so sorry marcia. sending love to your friend and family.
Meg says
Marcia, my love and thoughts go out to all of you who know and love your friend. This must me so difficult.
Cynthia O'H says
Oh my, how devastating. There is nothing harder to deal with than the loss of a child. My thoughts go to you and your friends.
Steel Springs says
This is heartbreaking. My thoughts are with you and your friend. May you all find peace.
Velma says
This is just horrible and puts everything in perspective.
Xavi Garcia says
So sorry…May you all find peace and I will have her on my prayer!
Char says
It's so sad. Most of us assume the birth of a healthy child – we just take it for granted. There will be so much to grieve for – the hopes and the dreams gone in a cruel stroke. My thoughts are with your friend.
Shannon says
Sooooo sorry for your friend. I have a friend who had a stillborn two years ago. It was so hard seeing that baby and then going to the funeral.
Heather @ Side of Sneakers says
How devastating- I'm so sorry to hear such tragic news. My thoughts are with your friend's family during this difficult time.
Molly says
what a terrible, terrible thing. sending prayers your way.
And I hope that your friend who ran on sunday is doing better now.
Staci Dombroski says
That is awful! I am sitting here crying at the computer now. I will say a prayer for her and her family!
misszippy says
That's just awful. I'm so sorry for your friend and her family. I'll be thinking of them.
Suzy says
How heartbreaking. I'll keep your friend in my prayers.
Megan says
I know that pain. It's tough. It sours everything for a bit. I'm sorry for her. Give her lots of hugs.
RunKathyRun says
This is just terrible; I can't imagine the pain they are going through. My thoughts are with your friends during this time.
Jen says
Thank you for reminding us to put all of our personal ambitions in perspective.
I am praying for Olga and her family.
Geri says
Oh, Marcia, I'm so sorry to hear that. Please let your friend know that I will keep her and all her family in my prayers.
Emz says
I'm with you [in thoughts and prayers]. I went through this one year ago [yep, ON mother's day]. painful. I am so very sorry.
SeeGirlRun says
Children should bury their parents No parent should ever have to bury a child. Prayers and condolences are with you and your friends. What a tradegy. Puts things in perspective.
Laura
Heidi says
That is so sad. My deepest condolences to your friend. Losing a child is nearly every parents greatest fear and it's plain unfair.
Zoë says
Thoughts go out to your friend's family. What a terrible loss.
kilax says
I am so sorry for Olga. I have a friend who recently lost her baby (in the second trimester) and I feel so bad for her. I just don't know what to say 🙁
MJ says
I am so so sorry for your friend. That kind of loss is so hard to heal from, if at all. There is a reason for everything, though sometimes we can't fathom what the reason could possibly be. My thoughts are with you and your friends.
lindsay says
i am so sorry for your friend and her family! i can't begin to imagine what that's like, but it's definitely a good reminder to keep our own petty "issues" in perspective. thoughts and hugs to them!
Erin Richards says
Marcia, beautifully said. You have such a magical way with words. It's been such a tough day – I am praying with all of my might for Olga and her family. No one should ever have to endure such pain.
Michelle says
Sending love and light their way. We will be praying for healing and peace for them.
Melissa says
Praying for them right now. I cannot imagine the pain and grief. Life can be so cruel sometimes.
Laura says
That's so sad *hugs*
The Happy Runner says
Oh, that is so, so, so terrible. Just awful. I feel for your friend and her family. As a pregnant woman, that is my worst fear. I'm so sad for your friend.
Adam says
I too have experienced the sucker gut punch mentioned here. No words can describe what it feels like.
Katie A. says
Oh goodness, I'm just catching up. I am so sorry for the loss, my heart and prayers go out to you and that sadden family.
My parents lost a child before me. My mom says it gets easier and easier, but to this day it was the darkest year of her life she says. The best thing you can do for you friend is be there. Make sure she gets up, make sure she eats, make sure she does the things to take care of herself. You are an awesome person/friend – she will be lucky to have you by her side.
Anne says
OMG I am so sorry for Olga and her family…what a terrible loss. I can not begin to imagine how they feel…so sad…
Dash says
so sorry for Olga, this is very sad.