donation rather than flowers

When my baby Andrew died in 1989, a very good friend gave me a pot of Chrysanthemums. G said she didn't want to give me a bunch of flowers since I had requested," No flowers, and in lieu of flowers, donations to the hospital" Later, when the flowers were gone, she told me that I could grow it in the garden. It thrived and flowered well. It gave me a mixed feeling of my thoughtful friend G, and it also gave me feelings of how much I missed Andrew. The flowers were almost like this burgundy colour.

In my latest book, I wrote about a death, and donating money to the hospital.

butterfly-blizzard

a symbol of joy, happiness, of spring, rebirth and renewal.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/33117128/queenslanders-wowed-by-butterfly-blizzard-in-the-south-east/#page1

Hundreds of millions of butterflies have flown to Queensland’s south-east in a beautiful display which is said to happen only once a decade on this scale.

The phenomenon deemed a ‘butterfly blizzard’ is the Caper White or ‘common white’ butterfly migrating from west of the Great Dividing Range to lay eggs.
The remarkable migration sees millions of butterflies flock to the south-east to lay 60-100 eggs each on caper bushes.
Local butterfly expert Ray Archer told the Sunshine Coast Daily the butterflies lay eggs in large numbers and then hatched caterpillars strip the shrubs to nothing.

L: Photo by Deb Larks R: Photo by Cathy Collins.

Once done, the butterflies then head east.
Mr Archer said the butterfly migration was normal for this time for year but those this large were less common, happening only once every six to ten years.
He told Fairfax looking out his window at Bribie Island he could see up to 20 butterflies a minute.

The Caper White butterfly. Photo: Australian Museum

7 Things I’ve Learned Since the Loss of My Child

“If you’d like an inside look into why the loss of a child is a grief that lasts a lifetime, here is what I’ve learned in my seven years of trekking through the unimaginable.”

http://faithit.com/7-things-ive-learned-since-loss-child-angela-miller/?utm_content=buffera2bb6&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

By Angela Miller
Child loss is a loss like no other. One often misunderstood by many. If you love a bereaved parent or know someone who does, remember that even his or her “good” days are harder than you could ever imagine. Compassion and love, not advice, are what’s needed. If you’d like an inside look into why the loss of a child is a grief that lasts a lifetime, here is what I’ve learned in my seven years of trekking through the unimaginable.


She writes like me, or rather I write like her.

count your blessings, 家家有本难念经 Jiā jiā yǒu běn nán jīng

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fMjgS4vu4o

 家家有本难念经 jiā jiā yǒu běn nán jīng
This Chinese phrase means every family has a difficult prayer. Yesterday, with my Campomelic group, I found that some mothers have lost two babies. And today, I found out a friend lost her baby and then lost her ability to have any more babies.
When I was mourning, a friend told me this song,
Count them one by one.
Count your blessings,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fMjgS4vu4o

Count your Blessings

SickKids Hospital in Toronto

In four days, it would be Andrew's 27 anniversary. I refrain to talk too much about Andrew and his book. To some, you may think I write too much. For me, my journey is sharing my life to help many bereaved parents and also those with special needs parents. Here is a message which validates my writing.

http://annkitsuetchin.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/an-unexpected-message-from-grief.html

Ann, my name is Lori and I believe I recently read your book (I am in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) when Dr. Andrew James shared it with me. I believe he took care of your son. Am I correct?
If I am, I was blown away by your book- beautifully written. I hope you don't mind that I have written to you. Lori (Grief Support Nurse at SickKids Hospital in Toronto)

an-unexpected-message-from-grief.html

http://annkitsuetchin.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/an-unexpected-message-from-grief.html

Ann, my name is Lori and I believe I recently read your book (I am in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) when Dr. Andrew James shared it with me. I believe he took care of your son. Am I correct?
If I am, I was blown away by your book- beautifully written. I hope you don't mind that I have written to you. Lori (Grief Support Nurse at SickKids Hospital in Toronto)

an-unexpected-message-from-grief.html

http://annkitsuetchin.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/an-unexpected-message-from-grief.html

Ann, my name is Lori and I believe I recently read your book (I am in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) when Dr. Andrew James shared it with me. I believe he took care of your son. Am I correct?
If I am, I was blown away by your book- beautifully written. I hope you don't mind that I have written to you. Lori (Grief Support Nurse at SickKids Hospital in Toronto)