21 Comments

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.

Expand full comment

Philip and Ruthie.

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment

Dear Jack. Sweet Abby.

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment

Gary James Lewis. Jim and Win.

Expand full comment

Thank you. ❤️

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment

Garland.

Expand full comment

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

Expand full comment

Thank you, dear one.

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment

Matt. Love to you.

Expand full comment

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.

Expand full comment

Dave.

Expand full comment

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

Expand full comment

I am so touched by the way you have chosen to uplift and remember your son. And im so sorry for your loss.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Claire.

Expand full comment

Thank you for sharing this, my dear friend.

Elizabeth Yardley Young

Spencer Keeton Young

Expand full comment

Elizabeth Yardley Young. Spencer Keeton Young.

Expand full comment

I think of Cooper and his miraculous heart so often ❤️

Expand full comment