Letter
from the Editor, December
2004
Thinking of all of you this "holiday" season, knowing that some of you are stuggling, some are getting by, some are even surprised that you are actually feeling joy again. Grief is a weird journey. There are no maps, and the road is completely different for every individual. That's okay. It doesn't have to be the same for all of us. Just be gentle with each other and let it all unfold in as peaceful a manner as possible.
We have a lot of really interesting content this time around. Many thanks to the myriad of folks who helped me pull this issue together. You really are amazing. If you are a new or regular reader of KotaPress, please note that none of us get paid to bring this Journal to you. Most are helping, offering their time, talents, and money out of love for their own children who have died. I cannot thank you all enough. I could not do this without you. Seriously!!
So I encourage you to read every page, but I will point out a few highlights! Katie Smith brought us a great article full of ideas and links to help funeral home directors and clergy to be more effective in helping bereaved families. There are two studies calling for participants: MOMStudy and another about Stillbirth & Support Groups. We have a couple pieces on more of a medical investigation side: one about sleep apnea and another about a doctor whose whole career is studying the placenta after pregnancy loss. Very interesting stuff. Some poems and quote and words to ponder and inspire.
I'm kind of excited to have three sort of letters this issue. One is Ram Dass' letter to Rachel which is featured in the dvd "Fierce Grace"; another is from Wheeler's mom Jennifer; and the last from Jill who came to feel blessed after her children died. I am so interested in because they all look at a crisis and rediscovery of faith and beliefs after children have died. They are not all about the same "religion" or "practice," but they are all clearly about how a Divine Presence makes way in our lives after loss. I know that many other people out there feel the Divine Presence never was in their lives or that whatever they believed before their child died, can never be recovered. That's all okay, too. I'm interested in ALL your stories! I feel like the three here this issue are the beginning of an exploration of this topic. Looking forward to hearing your feedback and/or reading how the journey unfolded for you!
There is so much more, too. A great story from Nancy Grayson, some holiday ideas from yours truly, info about Touching Angels from Angela Farley, a new Q&A, resources for grandparents, info from MISS, an intro to Mind Freedom, and of course a rant, also from yours truly. (I have to do at least one rant per issue or it just isn't complete, you know?) :P
Hope you find something this issue to help or comfort in some small way. As always, feel free to be in touch. Your comments and questions are most welcome here!
Miracles to you,
Kara
L.C. Jones, Dakota's Mommy
Editor-In-Chief, KotaPress
This page is dedicated to Dakota
Born and died March 11, 1999
Author
Biography
Kara
is a freedom fighting guerrilla
artist who has recently
begun to henna everything
in site. Look out because
you might be next!!
