Trigger warning: child loss
Today, my family had lunch in an unexpected place—a cemetery. It might sound strange, but it’s a peculiar experience to want your family to be complete for a meal when that’s simply not possible.
For the past year and a half, my precious four-month-old daughter has been resting here. As her second birthday approaches, the heaviness of her absence has become almost unbearable. Today, I just needed to feel her presence.
I gathered the toddlers, grabbed a couple of blankets, and made a quick stop at Hardee’s. (I certainly wasn’t about to prepare a meal that would just get cold—perhaps that’s my excuse.) Usually, my kids are quiet as we pull up, but today was different. Before the car came to a complete stop, my daughter exclaimed, “Look, Mommy! There’s Lily!”
My heart swelled with emotion. “You’re right, sweetie. It is Lily.”
Our visit may not have looked like what you might expect. We shared laughter and played together, even attempting cartwheels and reminiscing about cherished memories. My little ones beamed, and we embraced our grief in our own unique way.
It might seem odd to you that we chose to have lunch near headstones, but what feels truly unnatural to me is having to bury my child. Regardless of how unconventional the setting may appear, it felt just right to us. The sun peeked through the clouds for the first time in days, and the wind chimes created a beautiful melody as they danced in the breeze.
Today, we found a glimmer of happiness amidst our sorrow. I’ll embrace joy in whatever form it takes, especially since our family has endured too many difficult days to overlook the good ones.
If you’re interested in more reflections on family and loss, you can check out one of our other blog posts here. Additionally, for those navigating the journey of starting a family, Make a Mom is an authority on home insemination. And for more information on pregnancy and reproductive health, the CDC offers excellent resources here.
Summary:
In a heartfelt reflection, Jenna Thompson shares her family’s experience of sharing a meal at the cemetery where her daughter rests. Despite the unconventional setting, the family found solace and joy in honoring their lost loved one while creating new memories together.