It’s been just over 18 months since my sweet baby girl Hannah passed away. She is my first and only child. It’s been a painful journey and I’ve learned so much. I know I have so much more to learn, but I only wish I didn’t have a reason to.
- Nobody is off-limits from losing a child.
- I didn’t need to look at my daughter in order to love her more.
- Time moves on and I want it to go back to the day my daughter was born.
- I would choose this journey all over again if it was the only way I could have my daughter.
- There are positives, which were created through my daughter’s death.
- It’s ok to cry and actually feel the emotions.
- I don’t need to be ashamed of my story.
- Sometimes people won’t care or won’t ever understand.
- Relationships will be tested more than ever before.
- Some friendships will end.
- Some friendships will heal.
- It really doesn’t matter what others think.
- It’s okay to grieve and mourn my daughter in any way which is healing.
- I can share my daughter with the public.
- It’s okay to tell people I have a daughter but she passed away.
- I’m allowed to celebrate my daughter’s short precious life.
- I need to protect myself from triggers on social media.
- To find joy and happiness in life, while still feeling the pain of losing my daughter.
What are some things you have learned since your sweet baby(ies) passed away?
Heather Kimble lives in the Philadelphia area. She is married to her best friend, Jason Kimble, and is mommy to Hannah Sue Kimble. Hannah is her only child. Heather carried Hannah after receiving a fatal diagnosis and was told to terminate based on the serious risk to her own personal health. She doesn't believe in termination and chose to carry Hannah with love. Hannah passed away and was born sleeping on December 23rd, 2013. Heather and Jason treasure every moment they had with Hannah during pregnancy and after delivery.
Heather is the Co-Founder and President of the 501(c)(3) non-profit Hannah’s Heart and Love. Hannah’s Heart and Love was inspired by their daughter Hannah to help others and to help break the silence of baby loss. She is also a contributing author for All That Love Can Do.
Heather is the Co-Founder and President of the 501(c)(3) non-profit Hannah’s Heart and Love. Hannah’s Heart and Love was inspired by their daughter Hannah to help others and to help break the silence of baby loss. She is also a contributing author for All That Love Can Do.
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Hi Abigail, if you would love to talk, text me at 856-332-4799. I have some resources that can help and I love connecting with other loss families. Im so sorry to hear about your losses. There is a group called UNITE that has groups throughout Philadelphia and the metro area. I live in South Jersey and have attended the HOPING Support Group through Virtua. Let me know if I can provide any more information. I also run a non-profit to help with preganancy and infant loss you may find helpful. Threelittlebirdsperinatal.org
I’ve learned that you can’t truly understand the loss of a child without experiencing it, and that the amount of time you had with your child doesn’t directly correspond to the grief you feel.
Easier and better aren’t the same thing.
I’ve also learned how much fear can accompany a loss and the shadow it can bring to your life. Many people in my life expected my grief but didn’t expect my fear.
I’m so sorry for your loss. You’re right, unless you experience the loss of a child you can never fully understand.
They definitely aren’t the same thing. I think that is important for people to know.
That’s very true! I didn’t personally expect the fear, but not long after losing my daughter I started to really notice how much fear was in my life on certain topics and situations.
Love Always,
Heather
This article is perfect. I too am a Philadelphia area mom with empty arms. Thank you for sharing your feelings in this article. My only daughter was stillborn in October 2014 and there has been so much beauty in her short sweet life. It is my goal for other families suffering this loss to live optimistically after loss. xoxo
First, I’m so sorry for the loss of your baby girl. There is absolute beauty in your daughter’s precious life.
Thank you for the kind words.
Since you’re local to me, if you would ever like to connect please feel free to contact me, hannahsheartandlove@gmail.com.
Love Always,
Heather
I am so sorry for your loss. I am also in the Philadelphia area (Ardmore). I have a daughter who was stillborn in Jan 2015 and more recently a son who was born at 23 weeks in Aug this year. I have no other children, have you found any local support groups?