Kindness

We have been showered with kindness since William died. We have received cards and letters from so many people expressing their condolences and love and support. I don't think we could possibly thank those folks enough for thinking of and reaching out to us. Every bit of sympathy was a light in the darkness to me in the very early days, and now it buoys me, keeps my head above water when all I want to do is sink into the murky depths of my grief.

And now, every time I look this, I remember the mommy group I've been a part of for almost ten years now, who got together to buy me a bracelet and keychain to remember William:

I feel so loved every time I look at it.

And see his name, and the sign for infinity. Forever.

And if I'm not wearing it (which isn't very often) I have the matching keychain they gave me:

With his name and the symbol for infinity on it too.

And my April "due date club" - who I had to deliver shocking and, I imagine, rather frightening news to about my son's death and subsequent birth - got together and sent their love and support in the form of a lovely charm:

With his full name engraved on it, and "in my heart."

There just aren't words to say how much this means to me, how kind and thoughtful these gifts are. They aren't just memorials to my son - that alone is a gift, having something tangible to hold - they also remind me that I have people in my life who remember, that his memory will go on not just in my heart, but that he's touched the lives of so many others who carry him in their hearts as well.

And it's a reminder that I am loved, held, supported. That's the even larger gift these beautiful little treasures are symbolic of, and I'm grateful. I want them to know that the kindness of the hearts who gave these gifts is felt so deeply and appreciated, but there just aren't words.