Let’s honor our lost children with change in our communities for the better

I am writing concerning the excellent and moving article by Carmen George in The Bee July 7. It is always inspirational to hear about people who have persevered and moved beyond the pain to comfort others who are also in that most painful place. Perhaps beyond is the wrong word because you never stop mourning your child, husband, mother, etc., but the heart-wrenching blackness that seems to hang over you becomes a beacon of light to honor and remember them.

I lost two premature daughters and a son at birth, and I thought I would never be able to function again. But with the help of God, my friends and co-workers and my church I began to realize that we need to honor those memories, and use our grief for good. Nothing creates more understanding of people’s pain than going through your own.

Roni Valle is extraordinary, as is her daughter. She is much better than I at looking at the light instead of the darkness. Being Scotch-Irish, I was the Frank McCort of my writing class. But so many who have had great losses have gone on to honor their loved ones. Dean Eller with his blood bank, Armen D. Bacon with her book, “Griefland,” Francine and Murray Farber with their educational donations and John Walsh with his search for justice for those who are hurting. The list goes on and on.

Let us honor those we have lost with a change, or a comfort for those who have been there and need help to come back.

This story was originally published July 16, 2015 at 9:08 AM with the headline "Let’s honor our lost children with change in our communities for the better."