The Deep Pain of Loss

I should have been 24 weeks pregnant today.

24 weeks.

A baby born alive, as early as 24 weeks gestation has a chance to survive. Sometimes, a baby born even earlier survives. 

I can hardly think about it.

Our daughter would have had a chance at growing up. A chance to have a full life on earth. A chance to take her first breath, look into our eyes, squeeze our fingers, nurse from her momma, cry, laugh, take her first steps, play with her siblings, dance, sing, go to school, make new friends, go to college, get married, find her passions, pursue her dreams…a chance. Just a few short weeks and she would have had a chance at an earthly life with us.

I know she’s safe now. She’ll never cry or feel the pain of losing a child. But, she’ll never know the joy of being a mother on this earth. I hurt so deeply for the many losses the loss of our daughter, Mary-Linda, carries with it. It’s the loss of so much more than I can describe. But, it’s deep. It’s a very deep loss.

We love you forever, Mary-Linda Elizabeth.