by Chanel Brenner I sat across from him, shooting his portrait with my phone. His charcoal sweatshirt faded into the dark booth. He played tic-tac-toe in the dim light. I should have known something was wrong, when he scribbled his X’s and O’s like a toddler— should have known his
Editor’s note: over the next few weeks we will be publishing the works of Chanel Brenner. This is by way of introduction. Welcome to Dead Child World by Chanel Brenner Please try to make yourself comfortable. If it feels like you are outside your body, it’s because you are. Don’t worry, this is normal. It
by Barbara Hills LeStrang I need to talk about my loss. I may often need to tell you what happened – or to ask you why it happened. Each time I discuss my loss, I am helping myself face the reality of the death of my loved one. I need to know that you care
by Nat Juchems Loss of a child is something that most of us will experience in our lives, but many will never feel the pain and trauma of losing a child. It’s often referred to as the ultimate tragedy; the passing of a child is something that no parent ever expects to have to go
A week or so ago, we were visiting with friends who I had not seen since my mother’s death in July. I had forgotten that I had not seen them, and so was not prepared for their very kind words when they first saw me and hugged me. So, I thanked them for their words
