We have been traveling this grief journey after the death of our son, Clint, for seven years. We didn’t know what to expect along the way for ourselves or for the marriage.

In the beginning, we stayed together because we had no energy to do otherwise. Then the suggestion was offered, to stay together because no one else could share the same memories of our son. This progressed to let’s stay together for our surviving son. We desperately wanted to be whole again for him.

Time continued and we found ourselves communicating more and rebuilding our lives. Time traveled forward and we ourselves were planning for our 30th wedding anniversary. We arrived at the restaurant and followed the hostess to our table. At the table were greeted with a placard that read, “Reagan-Party of Two”. The little note grew to be very important to us, almost a challenge. It set the goal of rebuilding our relationship. Even though it felt as though our family had become smaller, we could still have a good life.

Despite the emptiness, anger and pain of the early journey, we wanted to be together and even found love again.

Debra Reagan, in loving memory of our precious son, Clint Reagan.
www.clint-reagan.memory-of.com

Debra Reagan

Debra Reagan lives in East Tennessee with her husband of 33 years. They have one surviving son. Debra is the co-founder of Listening Hearts, http://listening-hearts.memory-of.com/About.aspx a non-profit corporation designed to help bereaved mothers. After some turbulent and confusing experiences, her youngest son, Clint, received the dual diagnosis of bipolar disorder and a drug addiction. Their lives changed forever when Clint died on August 6, 2005, at the age of 20 of an accidental overdose and bronchial pneumonia. Debra can be reached through the website she maintains for her son at www.clint-reagan.memory-of.com. Debra was a guest on the radio show “Healing the Grieving Heart” talking about “Getting Through Mother’s Day.” To hear Debra being interviewed on this show by Dr. Gloria and Dr. Heidi Horsley, click on the following link: www.voiceamericapd.com/health/010157/horsley051007.mp3

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