SURVIVING A LOSS
Surviving the loss of a loved one is the hardest things we humans will ever have to endure. I remember losing my Aunt Wanda to cancer and it seemed so useless for a wonderful woman to die like that. She was like a mother to me and would write me wonderful encouraging letters. I grieved for a long time. I finally had closure and knew I'd see her in Heaven when this life was over.
Losing my sons was the hardest loss and the hardest thing in life I have ever endured. Talk about not making any sense. Our children are supposed to out live us. GABRIEL...MY PRIDE & JOY 
Josiah was my youngest son and only 17 when he was in an auto accident and hit head on by a semi truck. Gabriel was my oldest and only 24 when he took a drug for comfort 10 months after we lost Josiah. It was an accidental overdose. He didn't know he had an enlarged heart. I wanted to die and join them. I felt as though someone had cut a huge hole in my heart.
Thank God for support groups for us survivors. No matter what your loss has been, there is a support group for you. "Compassionate Friends" is a nation wide support group for people that have lost their children or grand children. You can find them online and they will let you know where the closest chapter to you is located. It is so comforting talking to other people who can understand your pain. "Angel Moms" is a support group for mothers who have lost a child. It's an online support group that you can log on to any time of the day or night and chat. It's global so someone is always on there. They have yearly retreats so you can meet the other moms in person. Log on to angelmoms.com and browse around. Their slogan is "Angel Mom's Surviving Together".
JOSIAH...MY BABY BOY 
Most hospitals have support groups for those who have lost a loved one. Check your local hospital for the schedule of their weekly meetings. This is part of surviving. You need to associate with others that have gone through the same tragedy. Nothing feels worse than to hear someone say "I know how you feel" when they couldn't even imagine the pain you are suffering.
Another way to express your grief is through journaling. When I wrote in my journal I would write like I was writing a letter to my sons. I cried and wrote at the same time. It was very cleansing. I want to let my other children speak about their pain and feelings so surviving siblings can see they're not alone.
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