Dear editor:

The holiday season is upon us. This is a time of love and laughter, joy and peace, and wonderful times with our loved ones. But, there are those out there who are dreading the holiday season — bereaved parents and their families. I know all too well the feelings this time of year can bring because I am one of those bereaved parents. Our son, Tyler, was still born in March, 2002. We have felt his absence from our family everyday since his death and we will continue to feel it as long as we are alive.

The pain of losing a child is unimaginable, no matter what age. We are forever changed, forever broken.

Thanksgiving is near and the day can not come and go quickly enough for parents who are missing their children. We have much to be thankful for, our lives, our families and friends, and we are thankful for the lives of our children- every second of their precious lives. But, along with that thankfulness, there is an empty space in our hearts - an empty space that will always be there.

Soon it will be Christmas, a time of love and compassion, celebrating the birth of our Lord. But, our Christmas is bittersweet. We decorate graves instead of buying our children Christmas presents. We look for a special ornament to put on the tree to remember them by, instead of filling their stockings with goodies. We spend the day with family knowing that there will always be someone missing.

I am writing to you because I want to ask everyone to remember these parents this holiday season. Even though you may not see it on the outside, we are missing, loving and longing for our children everyday, and the pain is so much more intense during the holidays. Tell these parents you care. Tell them you love them. Say their child’s name — it may bring a tear to their eye, but it will bring joy to their hearts. Tell them you will never forget.

In loving memory of Tyler Scott Norman, growing up in our hearts until we meet again.

Courtney Norman

Norman Park