A Night of Remembrance: Honoring Our Babies, Holding Each Other
At Thrive Postpartum, Couples, and Family Therapy, we specialize in supporting individuals and families through the perinatal period—a time filled with hope, transformation, and, for some, unimaginable loss. We know that perinatal loss, stillbirth, and infant loss are profound experiences that can feel isolating and overwhelming. That’s why we created A Night of Remembrance—a space to honor, grieve, and connect.
Grief after losing a baby is unlike any other. It’s a love that had nowhere to go, a future rewritten in an instant. So often, parents are left feeling unseen, unsure of how to carry their loss in a world that continues moving forward. As therapists, we recognize that healing doesn’t come from "moving on"—it comes from being able to speak their names, acknowledge their existence, and hold space for all the emotions that come with loss.
Last night, we gathered in that space, surrounded by the soft glow of candlelight and the warmth of a community that understands. Each person had the opportunity to speak their child’s name and light a candle in their memory. Some shared their stories, others sat in quiet reflection, and together, we honored the deep love and profound grief that loss brings.
We wrote down the emotions we carried into the room—scared, angry, guilty, fearful, confused, shocked, helpless, in disbelief, jealous, sad, lost, empty, sorrowful, in denial… yet, also hopeful and loving. When read aloud, these emotions reminded us that grief is vast and layered, and none of us walk this road alone.
Through our Memory Tree activity, we honored our babies in a tangible way—decorating leaves with their names, symbols, or words of remembrance. One by one, each leaf was placed on the tree, creating a visual representation of love that will continue to grow.
✨Reflections on A Night of Remembrance✨
"We entered the room as strangers, yet knowing we had more in common than we would ever want to. With encouragement from our host, we expressed what we were feeling: scared, angry, guilty, fearful, confused, shocked, helpless, in disbelief, jealous, sad, lost, empty, sorrowful, and in denial… but also hopeful and loving."
"We sat in the comfort of the warm candlelight, enjoying the rare opportunity to be open about our feelings related to losing our babies and all the experiences connected to our loss. Our words wove us together as we cried, shared the most painful moments of our experiences, and discussed our surprise at how many of us expressed feelings of love and hope."
"We shared how we had discovered a deepening love with our partners, as well as the unexpected love and support that sometimes came from surprising places. We honored our babies and talked about how deeply they will be missed as we head into the holidays."
"As we closed the evening, we wished each other well, as if we were old friends. The evening brought a sense of being seen, cared for, and comforted."
We believe in the power of community, in the importance of remembrance, and in the value of offering spaces where families can honor the little lives that changed them forever. To all who joined us, thank you for allowing us to walk beside you on this journey. And to anyone who has experienced perinatal loss, please know:
You are not alone. Your grief is valid. Your baby will never be forgotten.