Son Death Poem

Poem On Grieving Over Loss Of Child

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Robert, I hope you and your family found some peace together through this difficult month. I know what it is to do CPR and not have it be enough. I've also had those horrible nightmares and...

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One Year Less

Published by Family Friend Poems March 2010 with permission of the Author.

There is no word, no label, no identifying moniker,
I am not a widow, not an orphan, not childless,
But one child less.
One less open laugh and little boy giggle,
One less challenging tete-a-tete;
One less artful, winking manipulation,
One less word of comfort, one less grateful hug.
One less chance to embrace a daughter;
One less new life to carry your eyes, your chin, your grin, your name,
No one word for the pain, the longing, the brevity
Of a life meant for living; an old soul meant to grow older than mine;
Would there be any one price too high, any sacrifice too great,
For one more moment, one more breath, one more warm touch;
I grasp desperately and sense the closeness -
the ONE just at the fingertips of my heart and mind,
Only to realize again and again and again,
There is no "One" - you are gone and I am - less.

more by Cheryl McDonald

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Has this poem touched you? Share your story!

by Kristi Larsson
4 years ago

The hardest words are my son is dead and I don't know why. He was 33. He was found deceased in his brand new RV...his dog with him...guarding his body for 4 days until someone found him. He died just 3 short weeks ago. A beautiful boy whose smile and intelligence and grace changed the lives of so many. He was at the top....doing what he loved. I have the past, but I have lost the future. Rest peacefully my son Dane. I will forever keep you in my broken heart. Love ya dude. Mom

by Judi Tabler
4 years ago

I am so sorry. I feel that we who read your letter help to carry your pain because we truly do feel the pain of your loss. Yes, your life has changed, and you will grieve for a long time. Grieve all that you must, and find someone who can listen and understand this pain. It's so important. Your life has changed, but way down the road, you will find some times when you can smile and enjoy some things again. My prayers go with this note. Judi

by Robert O'connor
7 years ago

Lost my youngest son, Rowan, June 3, 2017 from an asthma attack. He was 19 years old. He called out, "Dad," and I held him as he slipped into unconsciousness. Roe and I worked together and lived by ourselves. I performed CPR until the ambulance came. We turned off life support 4 days after the attack. I hear him call out my name almost every night in my dreams. I'm so tired of reliving that night, hoping one morning I'll wake up from this nightmare.

by Judi Tabler
5 years ago

Your story touched me deeply. We lost our son almost a year ago. Your story of Rowan calling out to you brought me to tears, but remember that he felt the comfort of your being there with him and holding him. Whatever you do, don't relive and relive this moment if you can. To lose him once is hard enough. I know. I have done the same thing as you, but I am getting better at not reliving it as often. God bless you. May He give you comfort and assurance that you need.

by Vickey Wellman
6 years ago

I'm so very sorry for you loss. And believe me when I say that I know your pain. This happened to my 19 year old son 15 years ago. Only he was with his best friend. My heart is breaking for you and your family.

by Tara
6 years ago

Robert, I hope you and your family found some peace together through this difficult month. I know what it is to do CPR and not have it be enough. I've also had those horrible nightmares and the dreams where he is fine and it was all a misunderstanding. I don't know which is worse. It has been 2 years, 4 months, and 14 days for me. 26 was much too young. I feel the pain in your words, and it is my pain too.

The loss is a wound. At first it's a huge open gash that nothing can cover. It is raw and indescribable. But very gradually it does start to heal, as all wounds do. Things will happen that rip the wound open again, leaving it bare and fresh just like the first time. It will become easier to cover, though. You can bandage it with work or other happiness and get through days, which turn into months and years. No matter how long, it is still a wound and there is always the ache. It hasn't gotten "better" for me, but it is...less bad. Hold on to the love you still share.

by David Kelcey
7 years ago

Robert, my heart breaks for you. Such a loss. I hope you are able to see a therapist to help you through your grief. Or good friends who you are able to speak to and share your feelings with. My 23 year old son took his life this spring. The pain is incredible and so difficult to deal with. I know I will never be the same. But I believe there will be a new normal. Stay strong. Be good and patient with yourself.

by Te Horeta Epere Kauere
7 years ago

I am so touched by you sharing your story, and I would like to share it with my brother whose son died in his arms also. He has never been the same since that day. His marriage has broken up. He ignores his other kids, and like you, he cannot erase the vision of his son looking up to him and the feelings of helplessness of not being able to do anything. I pray for you and my brother that somehow through the passage of time your grief and sorrow will be easier to bear. My thoughts prayers and deepest sympathy go out to you and your family. May God comfort you all with his love and peace.

by Peegee
7 years ago

I feel your pain. We lost our son November 17, 2016, due to an asthma attack. I was not by his side during that moment. I was in the office when they called me that my son was rushed to the hospital. It's almost 23 months now, but the pain is still the same. No one can heal the pain of the parents losing their son. He was our firstborn, and it took 7 years for us to have a child. Thanking God I still have my little girl by my side to ease the everyday pain. Even now I cannot stand to hear all the stories behind his death. It tears my heart apart every time I recall the day I lost my son, and I cannot even take a glance at the emergency room when I pass by the hospital. We just keep on praying to bear this loss. May God bless us always.

by Sheila Fequet
8 years ago

We lost our son in a car accident on the Dec. 21, 1995, He was 21 years old and on his way back home from university for Christmas vacation. He will always be missed. It is so hard, especially this thine of the year. His name was Jason Methot.

by Leslie Carmona, Missouri
8 years ago

On December 5, 2011, my 22 year old son was driving home from work and had a heart attack. He passed away before making it to the hospital and was later diagnosed with Viral Myocarditis. It was the worst day of my life...it was so hard seeing his lifeless body lying there. All I could do was fall to floor and cry, screaming! I couldn't believe my son, my baby was gone! He had so many dreams and to have it all taken away just like that...it's so heart breaking and so hard to move on without him! Every single day is a struggling challenge. Sometimes I find it very hard to get out of bed, but I have to! Troy Mychal Carmona will always be my Angel. RIH my sweet son. I know the terrible pain. May God Bless us all.

by Robert O'connor
7 years ago

I feel your pain. I don't know how I'm going to get past my son's 20th birthday on December 6th, then Christmas. How do you do it? Rowan has been gone for nearly 11 weeks, and I've been bawling like a baby almost every night and morning. I wish I'd been a better father to my beautiful baby boy. I loved him so much.

by Maribeth Lombardo
8 years ago

My 20 year old son was a a passenger in his childhood friend's truck 132 days ago. He was killed because the friend was drunk. The friend has yet to be arrested, and I can't wrap my head around this nightmare. I'm destroyed and I need to keep going for my older son. I don't know what to do next...

by Maria Pereira
8 years ago

I know, honey. I feel your pain. My kid, Rafael, passed 08-03-2016 on a dirt bike. My life is completely gone.

by Jodi Garcia
8 years ago

I lost my son on June 1, 2016. He was 27. He went to sleep the night of the 31st and never woke up. I didn't get to say goodbye. We texted one last time on the 31st, not knowing that was my last. My last text, my last to ever see him, to ever talk to him. He was taking care of my mother, she found him. I wasn't allowed to see him before he was cremated. 2 years ago was the last physical sight and hug I had from my son. My guilt over why I didn't find time to go visit. This poem is so beautiful and touching. Sad thing, my son sits on my shelf in my living room. He isn't supposed to be there. I'm grateful to have his brother, my other son to be able to hug and hold. But I want to tell Joshua to do his chores, to call me, to pay his bills. He was an old soul. My dearest friend. My first born. I miss you so much Joshua. Joy in my Heart, Star in my eyes. R.I.P 11-23-88 to 06-01-2016

by Roswitha Ellison
8 years ago

We lost our son on 12/02/16. He was 41 years old and as far as we knew healthy and happy. We still don't know the cause of death and though people say, will it make a difference you can't bring him back to me, it will be closure. My son had many demons, he was an alcoholic, but at the time of his death was alcohol free for 5 years. He suffered from depression but at the time of his death had met the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. I think the hardest thing was not being there and not being able to say goodbye. There is no greater loss than that of a child no matter what age. As a family we miss him greatly, as a mother I miss him painfully.

by Ann Cowdrey
8 years ago

I lost my darling boy on September 10, 2016. Two nights ago. Fine one minute, gone in the blink of an eye. We won't know the cause for many months. He had found love for the first time at the age of 35. We are devastated, and I feel a pain that I cannot describe. This is the worst thing that could ever happen. I had three sons, and I still have three but only two to love and cuddle, but one that I pray will walk beside me every day.

I love you, my darling boy. I miss you and only my own death will ever take away this pain. I don't like this club that I've joined; my heart breaks for all of us who are members xxxx

by Pauline Tulia Giles
8 years ago

My story is almost identical. My son has just been taken from me two weeks ago. I am inconsolable, heartbroken and want to be with him. I don't know for the first time in my life how to cope. There are no words to express the grief. I don't even know how to feel sorry for anyone else...it's heartbreaking. But I know how you feel and I feel your pain. God Bless our dear sons.

by Elizabeth Ruben
8 years ago

My son was shot to death by a police officer. He was not well. I do not want to watch the video or see what went wrong or whose fault it was. At the end of the day he is gone and nothing will bring him back. I do not want to protest or claim injustice. My pain is private, all-consuming,engulfing and often numbing.

He would have been 21 this year. His birthday is on the two year anniversary of my mom's death and the same date I was baptized many years ago. It is nine days away and I already feel so sad.

Thank you for sharing your poems. They are beautiful and touching.

by Tanzannia Tate
8 years ago

I lost my 16 year old son in a car accident on 11/16/14. My pain in indescribable and my life has forever changed. They say time heals all wounds, but I've come to see that that's not the case when you're speaking about the loss of a child. I love and miss you so very much son. I dream of the what ifs. You would've turned 18 this year. Proms, graduation, marriage and kids.

by Amber Hayes
6 years ago

I just lost my 16 year old son on Christmas Eve in a car accident. It's the most indescribable grief a person can go through. My heart is broken.

by Lorie Sanders
8 years ago

I recently lost my son to a single vehicle accident. I am not a widow and I have 2 daughters, yet I am incomplete. I am lost. He was only 16 and had so much going for him. He had a strength and a forgiveness that I'll never forget. The "what if" of future promises taunt me, but I have so much to be thankful for that I can't stay mad. Garrett, you will forever be missed, and I was and am so proud of the man you had become. I will love you forever and pray I see you again.

by Cherie Gann
8 years ago

We lost our son last week and we are losing our minds.

by Angela Washington, Georgia, Stockbridge, Clayton County
8 years ago

My son was shot 5 times at the Shell gas station on the morning of November 14, 2014. Life has never been the same! He was 21 and he was my best friend and he had just dropped his 5 yr old daughter off at school. I have been living with a broken heart ever since, but I'm making it through. God bless all of us on this journey.

by Hazel Chamberlain
8 years ago

I lost my son a little over 2 months ago. There is nothing that compares to losing a son. I don't know how to handle it. I am raising my grandson which helps but I lost my best friend and I don't see how I will ever get over it. I go to the cemetery 2 times a day. I talk to him, play his favorite music and then cry. People have told me that, he will visit me but nothing so far. I am heart broken. Maybe God doesn't think I am worthy enough to send my son to me so I can say goodbye. I am still praying. I do know exactly how you feel. God bless you!

by Tanzannia Tate
8 years ago

Wow, your son passed 2 days before my son. My prayers are with you and your family. Especially your granddaughter.

by Grace Mandry
9 years ago

I recently lost my beloved husband and so I know the despair of unimaginable grief. I have also recently discovered that he was my independance. I believed I was strong and could handle what came my way, but without him, I realize now how insecure I really am. There are critics of the phrase "he/she completes me," but personally, I can attest to its credibility. I feel incomplete. When Cheryl mentioned "I am less," it touched me to my core. When I read that she would give anything for one more warm embrace, one more touch of the hand, I knew her pain. Cheryl's grief is for a child; mine is for a husband I shared my life with for 46 years. Though the duration of life may make our losses incomparable - our anguish is the same. Please accept my sympathy, Cheryl. God Bless You.

by Cristy Bosley, Texas
9 years ago

My loss came on June 2015. It was the worst day of my whole life. My son died in 5 min, one min talking to me the next dead. I felt so helpless, he died in my arms. As a mom I wanted to take all his pain away..I just remember the doctors walking out and all I could say is my son is dead...I can't explain that feeling. All I could do is drop to my knees and cry...seeing him on the hospital bed was not real. I climbed up on the bed and just cried and laid with him, I talked to him..I didn't want to leave knowing I was never seeing my child again...I haven't stopped crying yet....I feel every pain you have...he was my best friend. I saw him everyday for 22 years...he never left home. He was my back bone. R.I.P..Kyle Anthony Bosley.
Forever love Cristy bosley