Just for today I will try to live through the next 24 hours and not expect to get over my child's death, but instead learn to live with it, just one day at a time.
Just for today I will remember my child's life, not his death, and bask in the comfort of all those treasured moments and days we shared.
Just for today I will forgive all the family and friends who didn't help or comfort me the way I needed then to. They truly did not know how.
Just for today I will smile no matter how much I hurt on the inside, for maybe if I smile a little, my heart will soften and I will begin to heal.
Just for today I will reach out to comfort a relative or friend of my child, for they are hurting too, and perhaps we can help each other.
Just for today I will free myself from my self-inflicted burden of guilt, for deep in my heart I know if there was anything in this world I could have done to save my child from death, I would have done it.
Just for today I will homor my child's memory by doing something with another child, be it my own, or someone elses, because I know that it would make my own child proud.
Just for today I will offer my hand in friendship to another bereaved parent, for I do know how they feel.
Just for today I will allow myself to be happy and enjoy myself, for I know that I am not deserting him but living on.
And just for today I will accept that I did not die when my child did; my life did go on, and I am the only one who can make that life worthwhile once more.
Vicki Tushingham
