Most of us have lost someone important to us in our lives. Death is inevitable; however, no parent ever expects to lay his or her child to rest. I can’t begin to imagine the emotions and deep sadness Tameka Foster, Ryan Glover, and Usher’s families have experienced since July 7th when Usher’s 11-year old stepson Kile Glover suffered a fatal traumatic brain injury and died following a boating accident Lake Lanier, in Georgia.
Seeing and coping with death and dying is part of my life, it’s my job. As a physician I have run through the hospital hallways racing patients to the operating room while hanging blood and have leaned over a patient’s lifeless performing lifesaving CPR, while family member are crying out side the room. Sadly, I have also witnessed children and adults not come through traumas, but it’s not the same as losing your own child.
Frankly, the sudden loss of a child is a something many parents will never get over. Grief and loss are part of the natural cycle of life but that truth doesn’t make the reality of loss any easier to deal with…
The post below takes us through dealing with grief and coping with the sudden or violent loss of a loved one. The needs are different for those who have lost a loved one suddenly to trauma versus the anticipated loss of a loved one. Dealing with anticipated death and loss is addressed in another post.