
"Why am I having such a hard time all of a sudden?"
"We had a wonderful Summer, my grieving seemed to subside somewhat, but now that the kids are back in school, I'm a hot mess of emotions."
"What's wrong with me? What's going on?"
These are common comments made by moms concerning something of what we may experience, as Summer ends and school begins again.
Summer is over and going back to school means that things are going to get busy and back to normal . . . no more lazy summer days, vacations and spotaneous fun. Schedules, increased activities and responsibilities can stir up grief.
This time of year takes me back to a time, when our boys were young and in school. Memories of new shoes, new clothes, new teachers, new classes, new backpacks, new schedules - a new beginning. Memories of a time, when we were a family of 5 before grief and loss entered our lives and changed everything.
For those who have suffered loss, changes in times and seasons can stir up quieted and suppressed emotions, and I have learned to expect these stirrings as natural and normal, as I continue to live with the loss of my son, Kevin.
One young mom that I am very close to had a rough few days just after school began this year. One of her daughters is now the same age, and in the same grade as the daughter gone from their family. I wondered how this reaity would affect her, and when she texted me to ask me to pray for her, I wasn't surprised that she was being overcome with a strong sense of sadness, anxiety and intensified grief as the school year began.
Hard, difficult and painful times of remembering how life used to be are just that . . . "hard, difficult and painful" and it's no wonder that moms who have suffered the loss of a child might experience some measure of the "back to school blues."
With Faith, Hope and Love,
Angie "a mom like you"
amotherlikeme@gmail.com
www.amotherlikeme.info