The First Father’s Day

“Happy Father’s Day,” she said.

“Thank you,” he replied sadly and turned away.

She gently squeezed his shoulder, her eyes misty.  “You don’t stop being a parent when your child dies.”

“I know.  It’s just that this is the first Father’s Day without her.”

“I know. The first Father’s Day, birthday, Christmas, Thanksgiving is always the hardest.” 

He turned around. “Does it ever get easy?”

She shook her head. “No. It doesn’t get easier. The grief never goes away. There will always be a torrential time. You will not get over losing Amy but you will learn to live with your loss. You will heal and be whole again but you will never be the same. And you will have those happy memories the two of you shared to keep you during those difficult moments.”

He smiled. “And I have God who has been my Fortress and my Comfort.”

“Yes. He’s always there when we are hurting and ready to comfort us.”

“Someone one said, ‘Be the things you loved most about the people who are gone’ Amy was kind loving and helpful. I want to honor her memory by helping others.”

“Let Amy’s light shine in you life and in the lives you will impact.”

This will be the first year our son will not be here to celebrate Father’s Day with my husband. We lost him late last year summer.

I wish to take this opportunity to reach out to parents who have lost their children. The pain will always be there but so will the memories and happy times we shared with them. Hold on to those.

You will survive and you will find purpose in the chaos. Moving on doesn’t mean letting go — Mary VanHaute

Posted for June 2020 Writing Prompts – #13 – A torrential time

Source: Your Tango;