The Importance of Sharing

I have been attending an amazing support group since losing Annabelle. Now I know that support groups are not for everyone, and attending one can be like going on a blind date. However if you find the right one it can be like true love. This is certainly the case for me!

I have not only had amazing support throughout my journey but have made some incredible friends who I cannot imagine my life without.

Recently our group had the opportunity to share our stories with student midwives. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was when I heard about this.

Any chance I get to speak about Annabelle and share my story just makes me so happy. Probably nearly as happy as I was last week thinking about the copious amounts of chocolate I was going to consume on Easter Sunday.

I knew this night would be special, and I knew I would definitely have plenty to share, however what took me by surprise was how moving it was. Speaking to these lovely women brought out so much raw emotion. I have not cried over Annabelle that way in a long time. Nor had I really remembered her entire birth with such vivid images. It was truly beautiful. Being able to have these impassioned releases is incredibly important as I have just realised. Even nearly two years later. It is part of the journey and part of my healing.

I came home that night knowing that I needed to continue to blog and share my story with whoever wanted to listen. This isn't just because it is so important to educate women and to give other bereaved parents hope and support but because I need this just as much.

In just under a week, the 4^th of April will once again appear and it will have been two years since I gave birth to my precious first born daughter who will forever be still. There has been so much that has happened in that time frame, the biggest being our rainbow Piper. I cannot imagine life without her and I am so thankful for her, but of course there will always be part of me that wonders about Annabelle and what life would or could have been. For this reason if nothing else I need to continue to share my feelings and her story.

I am going to continue sharing stories that I hope will be enjoyed and bring you comfort, support or even just a brief moment of laughter. I also would love to be able to share and speak about topics that may be of interest to all of you out there who are reading this. Please leave a comment and let me know if there is something in particular you would like me to share my insight on.

I look forward to another year of sharing and another year of growing stronger through my grief.