October 29th marks the second anniversary of the passing of our son Jon, after his courageous battle with cancer. While two years have passed, the loss of a child is something that never truly leaves your heart. We have learned that while time does not address the sadness, it does give us opportunities to remember, reflect, and celebrate the life and love that remains with us.
Each year on the anniversary of Jon’s passing, our family comes together. We typically begin that day by attending a Mass offered in his memory, followed by a visit to his gravesite, where we take a few moments of quiet reflection on his life. We then spend time sharing stories and memories of Jon; some bring tears to our eyes, while others bring a smile or even laughter to our faces. It is our way of keeping his memory alive and celebrating the special place he will always hold in our hearts and family.
Over these past two years, we have met a number of individuals who, like us, have experienced the loss of a child. As they have shared their stories, we have listened, understood, and felt their pain. We have come to recognize that while every family’s journey through grief is different, we are not alone. There are others who understand the depth of this loss and who, like us, continue to celebrate the love their child brought into their lives.
On this second anniversary of Jon’s passing, I would like to share the following words, which capture many of the feelings we hold in our hearts:
My Son
When you lose your son, you lose more than a child,
you lose a piece of your heart and your joy.
Life is forever altered, and nothing can ever fill that space.
Yet in my soul, he remains my precious boy, forever loved.
His laughter, his smile, and his love are woven into who I am.
Though Heaven separates us, my love for him will never fade.
Until we meet again, he is my pride and my forever joy!