My Little Peanut is a non-profit ministry assisting women and families facing the struggle of moving forward emotionally, spiritually and financially in the days and weeks after the loss of a child. This support is extended in a monthly support group for the mommas that lost a child.
When a child dies more so than not you don’t see it coming you are not planning on it or even think it will happen to you. But then it does. These parents are faced with an unbearable loss and still have to function as though their world didn’t just implode on the. Some have to go back to works just days later. Family members expect them to bounce back quickly. They have the funeral and burial cost added to their expenses along with any work they do miss. This is hard on a person when your heart isn’t breaking. Often the questions they have to face are questions they have never even considered and they have to have the answers quickly. The biggest is burial or cremation. When Vanessa was asked this question she just started crying and said neither. How does a young mother answer the unbearable? It was at this time the funeral director handed her a sheet of paper that had a list of support groups. I seen this as a life line for her. I was wrong.
It took her days to even work up the courage to call anyone. I know the list was made with good intentions but it took weeks and months for some before the called her back. We want My Little Peanut to be a life line to get to a life line. When they call, text or email we contact them that day to get them in touch with people that can help immediately. If we are able to fulfill the need the have we will.
Chances are this deep loss has touched someone you know. I was so naïve about this kind of grief until it touched our family. This grief hides in the shadows of our mothers, sisters, daughters, friends and coworkers. Mommas are filled with shame and regret and this is multiplied when our loved ones avoid the difficult topic of the loss of your baby. Our family experienced this first hand, it wasn’t until Hudson passed that I found out my grandmother had lost two babies and other family members as well. Why is it so taboo to talk about a little one that has passed? Every mother I have talked to wants to talk about their child they don’t want their family and friends to forget them.
This is the reason for our monthly support group. It is here that women are able to celebrate their child’s birthdays, holidays and freely talk about their little one. They are encouraged to share any poems or writings they have that support in learning to have a new normal. One does not get over this kind of loss but one can survive and thrive in their future after this loss.
We have chosen to honor Hudson with My Little Peanut
