Normal Grief

If you think you are going insane, that's normal

If all you can do is cry, that's normal

If you can't taste your food, or any appetite, that's normal

If you find yourself enjoying a funny moment then feeling guilty, that's normal

If your friends dwindle away and you feel like you have the plague, that's normal

If your blood boils when someone says, "it was God's will", that's normal

If you can't talk about it, but you can smash plates, shed paper, or kick the garbage can, that's normal

If you can share your story, your feelings, with an understanding listener, that's a beginning

If you can get a glimmer of your beloved's life rather than his or her death, that's wonderful

If you can remember your loved one with a smile, that's healing

If you find your mirrors have become windows, and you are able to reach out to other bereaved parents, that's God's Grace.

Author Unknown

MISS Foundation PSA

The MISS Foundation has released a public service announcement that portrays the experiences of bereaved parents after stillbirth. A very sensitive and controversial video, it speaks of the enormity ofthis public health issue. The main point of this video is targeted towards states that do not offer birth certificates for still born babies. The MISS Foundation actively campaigns to those states to pass a "MISSing Angels Bill" to provide a birth certificate to the parents. I am happy to say that the state of Virginia passed the MISSing Angels Bill a couple of years ago and I got a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth for Catherine, but there are so many other parents out there who get nothing but a death certificate.

If you're interested in viewing the PSA, it can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNvTDTK-0Jk