Thursday, June 19
If someone has experienced significant prior losses such as the death of a loved one, a breakup, infertility, miscarriage, or even the loss of identity (e.g., through illness or trauma) then the grief of not having children can feel amplified. Each new loss can reopen or deepen old wounds.
Let’s unpack this:
Sometimes the grief of not having children doesn’t stand alone and it stirs up old losses I thought I had made peace with. The absence of kids can reopen wounds from past losses like deaths, friendships, or even the loss of who I thought I’d be. Grief has a way of blending together. It’s not just about what’s missing now, but everything that’s been lost along the way. And yet, I’ve come to see that this ache is proof of how deeply I’ve loved, hoped, and tried. That lingering tenderness, after all the pain, quietly holds its own kind of power - a power that propels me forward. - Caroline Bloss
Subscriber Spotlight: This week’s resource:
The Other Side of Sadness by George A. Bonanno is a book that brings scientific evidence and human empathy together, offering a hopeful and nuanced view of bereavement. He acknowledges that while some experience deep, long-lasting sorrow, many people navigate grief more fluidly than expected, often bouncing back with strength and adaptability.
