• I have the right to lose track of conversations.
  • I have the right to thank others for bad advice and ignore it.
  • I have the right to put things in odd places, such as comb in the refrigerator.
  • I have the right to lose things, even an egg.
  • I have the right to read with poor or no comprehension.
  • I have the right to get a driving buddy while overcome with grief.
  • I have the right to burst into tears without warning.
  • I have the right to dream about my child and awaken with tears on my face.
  • I have the right to say my child’ name and say it often.
  • I have the right to be angry and apply this energy to healing.
  • I have the right to share my grief story.
  • I have the right to learn from other bereaved mothers.
  • I have the right to banish guilt feelings.
  • I have the right to have bad days and good days.
  • I have the right to detour from the healing path.
  • I have the right to treasure happy memories.
  • I have the right to be comforted by linking objects.
  • I have the right to create memorials in honor of my child.
  • I have the right to face a future without my child.
  • I have the right to love my child after her or his death.
  • I have the right to laugh and give myself permission to do so.
  • I have the right to be happy again.

Copyright © 2020 by Harriet Hodgson

 

Harriet Hodgson

Harriet Hodgson has been a freelancer for 43 years, is the author of thousands of articles, and 42 books, including 10 grief resources. She is Assistant Editor of the Open to Hope website, a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists, Alliance of Independent Authors, Minnesota Coalition for Grief Education and Support, and Grief Coalition of Southeastern Minnesota. She is well acquainted with grief. In 2007 four family members died—her daughter (mother of her twin grandchildren), father-in-law, brother (and only sibling) and the twins’ father. Multiple losses shifted the focus of Hodgson’s work from general health to grief resolution and healing. She has appeared on more than 185 radio talk shows, including CBS Radio, and dozens of television stations, including CNN. In addition to writing for Open to Hope, Hodgson is a contributing writer for The Grief Toolbox website and The Caregiver Space website. A popular speaker, she has given presentations at The Compassionate Friends national conference, Bereaved Parents of the USA national conference, and Zoom grief conferences. Her work is cited in Who’s Who of American Women, World Who’s Who of Women, Contemporary Authors, and other directories. For more information about this busy grandmother, great grandmother, author, and speaker please visit www.harriethodgson.com.

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