the death of my daughter
Published on March 29, 2004 By Janders In Home & Family
Latley I have been plauged...Our daughter died last November. I went in to labor to early and she did not make it. Our darling angel Jayden Lynn, went to heaven before she spent time on earth. Even though our time with our Jayden was short, she is still my daughter, and I love her dearly. My time with her is now spent at the cemetary, or thriugh the letters I write to her. We are very proud of our daughter, she was concived after a year of infertility and doctors saying We may never have children due to my celiac disease. But Jayden was a fighter. We love her so much.

My issue... I see people that I know... aquaintences or friends from the past. They almost always ask if we have children. Or I heard you had a kid, were pregnant, ect.... And I just don't know what to say. When I say, No we don't have kids, I feel like I am lying, and incredibly guilty, like I am denying Jayden's exsistance. I want to tell them yes, we had a beautiful daughter, but she passed away, but then it makes people uncomfortable. It is no win. What do I say?

Comments (Page 1)
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on Mar 29, 2004
I can understand how it would be uncomfortable, and even heartbreaking to have to tell people that. I suppose it would be easiest to tell the truth, it always is. Say you were pregnant but went into early labor and lost the baby girl. Don't worry about their discomfort, because the truth is always beautiful. Even if it hurts.

~Anne
on Mar 29, 2004
It doesn't hurt me to tell them. I think about her all the time so it's what I think of first. I just hate causing discomfort to other people, or making people pity us.
on Mar 29, 2004
I don't think people would pity you... I think they would feel sorrow for you, and want to be there, or at least hopefully they would! Don't worry about causing discomfort to people. I think it's moving that you would tell them. It's a very hard thing to go through. My aunt had a stillborn and we had a burial service for the little girl, and it was a big deal. It IS a big deal, and it's okay to tell people about it.

Don't worry how it affects others, worry about how it affects you!

Are you trying to have another child?

~Anne
on Mar 29, 2004
We are leaving it up to God at this time. We are not going to go through infertility treatment at this time. It is too much. We plan on adopting in the next 5 years wether we get pregnant or not. We really want a baby, but we are still grieving in our own way. It is hard. I started listing all Jayden's clothes on ebay this week. It has been a good way for me to have some closure. Looking at all those little pink outfits were giving me false hope that she would come back, silly as that sounds.

We love our daughter, and now our relationship is just different. Our milestones are her birthday, her burial, placing her marker..... each step is hard but important.

I think the hardest part is people rude commoents.... "At least you didn't really know her". But we did. We had a bond, because she was part of me. I knew her from ultrasound pictures, I knew what foods she didnt like that mommy ate!! Holding her after the birth, I still felt all the love for her. I did know her.
on Mar 29, 2004
BTW~ Anne thanks for the comments, It is nice to get advice. Thanks for letting me vent! : )
on Mar 29, 2004
Don't worry about making others uncomfortable, that is their problem. I think of you as a mom, and Jay as a poppa. People who say the things that hurt, are doing so because of thier own ignoriance (I wish this had spell check) and lack of understanding at the connection you feel from the time you first know you are expecting. They just don't know what to say. It would be best if they would all learn to just say they are sorry for your loss and then shut up. Don't forget your other milestones and let Jayden's exsistance consume your relationship, or your whole exsistance either. And don't forget you are not alone in your pain and loss, reach out to the others who love Jayden also. Share with us.
on Mar 29, 2004
I don't think I let her exsistance consume Jaysen and I's relationship, but she was and still is in a way, a big part of it, just as a child that was living would be. She has made us stronger, as people and as a couple. I never thought I would be able to handle the death of a child, but I have. So I take to heart the saying "Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger."

I know I am not alone. I have a great family, with parents that loved and continue to love their first grand baby. I know they have grieved in their own way. It just is taking me a longer time.
on Mar 29, 2004
You're welcome for giving advice. I know everyone needs to grieve, and vent. It's a process.

I wish you good luck on getting pregnant again, luckily you know it is possible. And God works in mysterious ways, if he doesn't give you another child, then maybe you are meant to adopt a wonderful child who will change your lives in all ways possible??

Be strong

~Anne
on Mar 29, 2004
Anne~
I think we will adopt even if we have biological children. I think adoption is beautiful and wonderful, and my husband and I think it would be a nice way to add to our family one day.
Joey
on Mar 29, 2004
YES, DO ADOPT!!!! I find it selfish of people to have more children when there are so many who need homes. It makes me really angry....mostly because of my jacked up childhood.

My mom signed up to have an abortion when she got pregnant with me (I was her 7th child). She and my father actually walked into the hospital and started the process of getting ready. Then, my dad had a change of heart. He told her he couldn't live with the guilt...and here I am.

It may not have anything to do with your story, but I figured this article deserved comment.

I'm sorry about your daughter, I'm sure she was beautiful.

Trinitie
on Mar 29, 2004
Wow... Thanks for sharing that information... i feel your pain... I cant imagine anything worse than having a child of yours die... not very consoling i know, but you have increased stance on the Muggaz ladder quite substantially.

I kind of have the same problem... I never know what to say when people ask me about my father... If i say he died, they say sorry, and i cant stand that, because its not their fault!!!! And i dont know how to just tell them without making an issue of it.

I suppose its circumstantial... because i certainly have a Dad, and I cant say i dont have a dad... so i know how you must feel... but no one can tell you what to say!!!! Of course she lives on in your heart, and of course you had a child, and no one can ever take her spirit away from you... whether she is around or not.

Once again, thanks for sharing, its really special.

BAM!!!
on Mar 29, 2004
Trinitie- Where you adopted? I only ask because I have heard different stories from adoptees on their perspective of being adopted. I am glad your father had a change of heart. I think (from what I have read about you) you are a beautiful spirit, and the world would be worse if their were not people like you. I also am a huge supporter of adoption. We were even before we had trouble having kids, I look at it that maybe it is God giving us more urging to adopt.

Muggaz~ Thank you for your words, what a sweet guy you are. I totally understand what you mean when people say "I'm sorry".You said " And i dont know how to just tell them without making an issue of it." That really hit on what I was trying to say, you just said it better. I want to tell people about my wonderful daughter, but I don' t want pity, just uderstanding.

Joey

on Mar 29, 2004
Nope, not adopted. I was raised by the world really. Thanks for the compliment.

Trinitie
on Mar 30, 2004
Geebus.. I gotta start being a little more insensitive on JU!!!!

I am dangerously at risk of being classed as a sweet guy!!!

I live to give!!!

BAM!!!
on Mar 30, 2004
Muggaz- Gid forbid if that where to happen!!! : ) It is not to bad being a sweet guy if you can pull it off. Girls like that sort of thing!
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