I had a realization today about being a new mother.  New moms are incredibly busy with their new, little charge.  Taking care of the needs of another from feeding to changing to catching baby's new facial expressions to doctor appointments.  What I realized, when I became a mother and other parents like me whom have lost their children, parenting is still a full time job.  The difference is that parenthood now presents in the form of grief rather than nursing, changing diapers, scheduling naps and the list goes on and on.  Both definitions of the job of parenting are incredibly important.  Grieving is a full time job.  I have always felt like I am a parent and I realize some have trouble swallowing this definition of parenting.  I am a mom.  I am experiencing an aspect of motherhood that no mother should ever have to experience, yet it is still the reality of being a parent.

A sculpture made by a good friend, Katy, in honor of our first son, Ethan, and a baby girl who also took "early flight".