Awareness . . .

in the form of film? A few weeks ago I watched the film Love and Other Impossible Pursuits starring Natalie Portman as the lead character. The movie chronicles the life of Emilia following the death of her three day old daughter, Isabel. I knew what it was about going in. I felt compelled to watch it. Parts of it infuriated me. Many other parts I empathized with and understood. I bawled throughout most of it. It was a good movie, though hard to watch in parts because it rings so true.

One thing I thought to myself was how taboo pregnancy and especially late term, neonatal and infant loss is. I understand that it can be uncomfortable for many to discuss, but the fact of the matter is, it's an unfortunate reality for many parents. It's not as uncommon as people think it is. This lack of awareness makes it taboo. A topic that should never been addressed or if it must be addressed then do it in a private area where the chance of making others feel uncomfortable is diminished. Basically sweeping it under the rug and pretending it doesn't exist or it only happens to other people. Everyone always thinks it happens to other people until it happens to them. Until they become a statistic, part of a club no one ever wants to hold membership to. I'm glad there's some awareness, even if it's by way of the silver screen.

Flowers, Rainbows and Stars

Just over two weeks ago I got my quarter sleeve.  I had been simmering and planning on it for months.  The flowers are the kids' birth month flowers.  Daffodils for Grace and Henry and Chrysanthemums for Evangeline and Duncan.  The rainbow represents Henry, my rainbow baby, and the stars represent my precious Duncan.