Bereaved Parents

Recently joined this board because my son visited it often. Beautiful young man. Loved his Tigers. Graduated 1st in his chemistry class at LSU, and moved to Austin to earn his Phd in chemistry.

Had, for many years battled alcohol and substance abuse.

Earned many honors, and he always made us proud. Taught me much about forgiveness and tolerance. He was a special person who loved others passionately. Loved his tailgait buddies and LSU in general. Loved Baton Rouge.

He lost his battle about a year and a half ago. Wife and I are devastated. Buried him on my wife's birthday. He was a week shy of his 1st wedding anniversary to a lovely lady he met at LSU.

It makes me laugh to read the OT. I can picture him with the same witty remarks I read here. Thank you for that.

That being said, if you know of a bereaved parent, know that there can be no greater pain than losing what is most precious to you. Be kind to them and accept them as they have become. Let them talk about their child, because that is all they have that remains.

Bereaved parents never can return to normalcy. They develop a new norm. A norm that is sometimes difficult to understand, but protects them from what the past has dealt them, and what the future will bring them.

And to those who have lost friends and siblings...I feel your pain.

Let your life be filled with thoughts of them and memories of a better time.