If you are on facebook you may have seen similar pictures as the one above posted and shared over the last few weeks. Several years ago this wasn’t the case. In 1988 Ronald Reagan declared October as pregnancy and infant loss awareness month and it seems that finally awareness happening. Women are opening up, receiving healing, finding support and recognizing that their grief is real as so many have suffered alone and in silence.

I have always written about miscarriage prior to having children, so it may appear like I have forgotten or am over it now that my arms are full with my three littles. It couldn’t be further from the truth. The connection between a mother and her baby is real and unforgettable, no matter how small the life may be. The love is real and the grief that follows even more real.

While doing a radio interview before Grace was born the host introduced me as the mother of eight. I had to fight back the tears as I was live on the air in seconds. I had never thought of myself this way and to hear her say it on national radio took me by surprise. How beautiful it was to hear her recognize my babies gone too soon right along with my sons and the baby I was carrying.

Every time I hear of a woman who miscarried or loss her baby, my heart is torn open. The feelings that I think have gone away flood back over me as my heart aches for the mother who is in mourning. Every time I hear of a friend becoming pregnant I find myself whispering the words, please God do not let her lose her baby. So many years later and I still remember. It is a loss I wish no mother would have to experience. A cross I pray no one has to carry.

Daily I ask my babies to pray for me and plead their help as I know they have the ear of God. It may seem like just a nice sentiment, but I know they are in heaven and I can call on them.

Noel, Francis, Simon, Cecilia and Gabriel please pray for us. Until we meet, please look after your mama. I may not be able to hold you in my arms, but I will forever hold you in my heart.

It seems one of the most common things I hear from women who have suffered the loss of a child through miscarriage is the feeling of being alone. Isolated, desolate and alone. Utter loneliness, because it seems no one can relate or understand the grief and the loss.

I am not an expert, counselor or psychologist, but I speak from experience. From the experience of my own loss of five babies, whose lives ended all too soon and from the stories of heartache other women have poured out to me. As I reflect on my own story and those of countless other women, there are certain themes that run through our grief. Although, not every woman’s journey is the same in how they process their loss and move towards healing, I write this to tell you, you are not alone.

You are not alone when you feel that no one understands your loss. You try to hide your grief and move on, not knowing how to process your feelings. You go back to work and to day to day activities as if nothing happened. Acting as if everything is okay you dare not bring it up in any conversation for fear of how others may or may not react.

You are not alone when you feel confused and continually ask, why me? When the confusion wells into anger at your God. A feeling that scares you, as you have never felt this pit of anger before. Any prayer you can dare to muster simply turns into yelling as you cry out to God. At the same time you hold God responsible for not saving your baby’s life and feel as if you are completely abandoned.

You are not alone when tension arises in your marriage and your anger soon is directed at your husband, because it seems he’s already over it. You feel he has forsaken you in your need, because this was his baby too. Why does he not grieve the same way? Why doesn’t his heart feel completely shattered?

You are not alone when you begin to wonder if you will ever feel normal again, back to yourself and how life used to be. Questioning the grief and scared it will never leave, longing for the joy you used to have. Clinging to any sense of normalcy as it serves as a glimmer of hope that someday you may feel okay.

You are not alone when you find yourself on the brink of tears at any moment. Whether it’s seeing pregnancy announcements on social media, simply walking past the baby section in the store or a random song, phrase or word that causes the tears to flow and seem to never stop.

You are not alone if you are scared in trying to conceive again. The mixed feelings of hope, yet fear and doubt. Thinking of seeing two pink lines met with excitement and at the same time overcome with anxiety considering the possibility of having to go through this all over again.

You are not alone, so many women are suffering through this together with you in spirit. Allow yourself time to grieve, this was your baby who you already had dreams for. Take time off of work to take care of yourself and process the loss. Have no shame in what you are feeling, for your feelings are real. Don’t be hard on your husband he is grieving as well but in a different way. He wants your joy back as much as you do, but sometimes struggles to express his hurt.

You are not alone, reach out and find community. Other women who have a similar experience can provide a safe haven when you don’t know where to turn. The ache in your heart will never completely go away, as you will always remember the baby you never held, but it will get better and your joy will return. You may never understand why this happened and it’s okay to not have the answers. Just always remember when the tears begin to well and your heart aches, you are not alone.