Today is my son Cooper's birthday. He died suddenly at home following complications after surgery to repair a heart defect. He was six weeks old. If he had lived, he would be 41. For many years I held this day in secret sorrow. It is always a raw, hard day. But one year I posted the remembrance you see below on
Thank you Rebecca. And thank you for remembering Cooper in such a meaningful way. Spreading the love.
I am remembering and saying the name of two who died by suicide. One is my oldest brother Philip, who was 24, and the other is my cousin Ruthie, who was 28. Their names are not said often enough.
Thank you for sharing Cooper with us on his birthday. I'm remembering my Jack, who lived for four long-short days. I'm thinking, too, about the other children I've come to know through my bereaved mothers' writing group. Yesterday was Abby's birthday, so thank you for lifting up her name as well. Peace to you today—and to all on this thread.
What a beautiful thing to do, Rebecca and my heartfelt thanks for dealing with such a difficult topic in such a sensitive way. I lost my brother, Gary James Lewis, in a road accident aged 20. That was back in 1977 and I still miss him. My Dad, Jim, and my Mum, Win, both died not long after aged 51 and 53 respectively. They both had cancer and I believe that the trauma of losing their firstborn affected them so deeply it attributed to their early demise. We should learn how to celebrate the lives of our loved ones who are no longer with us, as well as mourn their loss. Thanks again for this truly special post.
Thank you, Rebecca. Cooper was such a beautiful baby. Today I say the name of my brother Garland. Tomorrow is his birthday. I called him baby brother sometimes even though he was nine years older. We both enjoyed the joke. He died almost three years ago at the height of the pandemic. No travel, no goodbyes, no funeral.
My sister and I say his name often. Happy Birthday, Baby Brother.
I remember sitting in the church holding Jay who was two months old and tears coming down my face. It was such a loss felt by so many. What a lovely gesture to remember Cooper with so much love.
Thank you for this lovely and heart-wrenching post. My brother Dave died last year, two days before Thanksgiving. Our relationship was fraught due to our vastly disparate political ideologies: he lived in the sad world of conspiracy theories and trumpian lunacy. He died at 68 because he wouldn't get vaccinated or take blood pressure medicine. I live with the knowledge that I never reached out, and wonder if it might have made a difference.
I am becoming more and more convinced that our loved ones on the other side are not "gone" but are very present with us and longing to communicate with us
Have you ever explored communicating with Cooper in the now?
Thank you Rebecca. And thank you for remembering Cooper in such a meaningful way. Spreading the love.
I am remembering and saying the name of two who died by suicide. One is my oldest brother Philip, who was 24, and the other is my cousin Ruthie, who was 28. Their names are not said often enough.
Philip and Ruthie.
Thank you for sharing Cooper with us on his birthday. I'm remembering my Jack, who lived for four long-short days. I'm thinking, too, about the other children I've come to know through my bereaved mothers' writing group. Yesterday was Abby's birthday, so thank you for lifting up her name as well. Peace to you today—and to all on this thread.
Dear Jack. Sweet Abby.
What a beautiful thing to do, Rebecca and my heartfelt thanks for dealing with such a difficult topic in such a sensitive way. I lost my brother, Gary James Lewis, in a road accident aged 20. That was back in 1977 and I still miss him. My Dad, Jim, and my Mum, Win, both died not long after aged 51 and 53 respectively. They both had cancer and I believe that the trauma of losing their firstborn affected them so deeply it attributed to their early demise. We should learn how to celebrate the lives of our loved ones who are no longer with us, as well as mourn their loss. Thanks again for this truly special post.
Gary James Lewis. Jim and Win.
Thank you. ❤️
Thank you, Rebecca. Cooper was such a beautiful baby. Today I say the name of my brother Garland. Tomorrow is his birthday. I called him baby brother sometimes even though he was nine years older. We both enjoyed the joke. He died almost three years ago at the height of the pandemic. No travel, no goodbyes, no funeral.
My sister and I say his name often. Happy Birthday, Baby Brother.
Garland.
I remember sitting in the church holding Jay who was two months old and tears coming down my face. It was such a loss felt by so many. What a lovely gesture to remember Cooper with so much love.
Love,
Jan
Thank you, dear one.
So many of us share your grief...I will say Cooper's name when i say Matt's....My son, Mathew, was killed in a car accident at age 16. He would be
39.
Matt. Love to you.
Thank you for this lovely and heart-wrenching post. My brother Dave died last year, two days before Thanksgiving. Our relationship was fraught due to our vastly disparate political ideologies: he lived in the sad world of conspiracy theories and trumpian lunacy. He died at 68 because he wouldn't get vaccinated or take blood pressure medicine. I live with the knowledge that I never reached out, and wonder if it might have made a difference.
Dave.
I salute your celebration of Cooper
I am becoming more and more convinced that our loved ones on the other side are not "gone" but are very present with us and longing to communicate with us
Have you ever explored communicating with Cooper in the now?
I believe it could be a healing experience
I am so touched by the way you have chosen to uplift and remember your son. And im so sorry for your loss.
Thank you, Claire.
Thank you for sharing this, my dear friend.
Elizabeth Yardley Young
Spencer Keeton Young
Elizabeth Yardley Young. Spencer Keeton Young.
I think of Cooper and his miraculous heart so often ❤️