CAPTURE YOUR GRIEF 2012: Day 13 Signs

Day 10 Symbols would be the same as Day 13 for me. When ever I see a Mourning Dove I think of my sweet boy.

CAPTURE YOUR GRIEF 2012: Day 12 Scents

Inside the zip-lock bag is Julian's receiving blanket that my husband brought back to my hospital room on the night the boys were born. The blanket was with Julian in the hospital and it smelled like him. I placed it in the zip-lock bag on the night he died in the hopes that it would maintain his scent for as long as possible. And it did. I took that blanket out of the zip-lock bag for the briefest of moments multiple times a day and would inhale his sweet scent, only to return it to the bag so it wouldn't loose that precious scent. Nine months later, the smell is not the same, but I still take the blanket out of the bag and hold it close. The padded rectangle was Julian's IV board in the NICU - it also smelled like my baby for a long time, now it smells of his memory box.

CAPTURE YOUR GRIEF 2012: Day 11 Supportive Friend

I don't think this friend even realizes how special she has been. We met a few years ago in a baby swim class, our casual play dates have blossomed into a very special friendship for me and I am so glad she has been in my life, especially during these last 9 months. Her easy going and upbeat personality has been uplifting for me and she always is willing to lend an ear and lets me share anything and everything with her. So thank you dear friend - and I hope you don't mind I posted your picture here.

CAPTURE YOUR GRIEF 2012: Day 10 Symbol

I have two symbols that make me think of Julian. The Mourning Dove and his teddy bear. Mourning Doves often hangout in my yard and appear in places I don't expect to see them, and they brighten my day every time I see one.

CAPTURE YOUR GRIEF 2012: Day 9 Special Place

In my bedroom with my kids. I keep a lot of Julian's special items in my room and I love laying in bed with my kids looking at Julian's hand impression and pictures.

CAPTURE YOUR GRIEF 2012: Day 8 Jewellery

The bear charm on my Pandora bracelet reminds me of my Julian - it represents the teddy bear that holds Julian's ashes. I also have two baby boy booties on my bracelet, a gift from my husband when we found out the twins were both boys.  I am still looking for the right piece of cremation jewellery. I'm looking at getting a glass bead that is made with Julian's ashes, but I'm not ready to open his bear to separate some of his cremains just yet.

CAPTURE YOUR GRIEF 2012: Day 7 What To Say

There are lots of nice things people have said, but the one that sticks out in my mind the most was, "You need to do what ever you feel is right." - it was exactly what I needed to hear at the time and I still appreciate it. A simple "I'm sorry" is always appreciated, and far better then saying nothing at all (in my opinion). And a heartfelt hug can also be just as comforting than any spoken words some days.