My son’s unmarked grave

 

Today I went to my son’s grave for the first time since I buried him.  I don’t know what I was expecting to feel, but I certainly wasn’t prepared for what I experienced.  As I stepped out of the car and walked toward the unmarked grave, my heart sank and I was brought back to the day it all happened.  I fell to my knees and began to sob as I saw the sippee cup, wreath, and mini Christmas Tree that had been left there for my son.

The cemetery was empty except for me and a couple of the grounds keepers who were filling another recent grave plot.  I hate it when people see me cry, but today I couldn’t stop myself.  While I hadn’t planned on coming back to the grave so soon, this was all I could think of doing this morning when I woke up.  Millions of parents hugged their children last night in the wake of the national tragedy in Newtown, CT.  Instead of hugging my son, reading him a book, and putting him in his bed, the only thing I could do was wait for sunrise so that I could kneel by his grave and tell him how much I missed him.

If I didn’t know better, I would think that I was gushing blood all over my son’s gravesite in that moment.  It felt as if someone had removed bandages from a fatal wound that now would not stop bleeding.  While I had planned to say some prayers and talk to my baby boy, all I could say was this:

“I’m sorry my Prince….I am so sorry baby.  Mama loves you so much.  I would do anything to trade places with you.  I would give up everything I have to see your face again and make you smile.  I love you baby.  Mama loves you so much.”

After some time, I realized that I was shaking from the cold.  I picked myself off of the ground, visited the children who were buried next to my boy, and left.

For the rest of the day, I tried to avoid the news.  It seemed, though, that I could not escape media footage about other dead children.  At the gym, nail salon, and just about everywhere I went…I couldn’t get away from it.  I wonder what all this trauma in our lives and on television is doing to us as a nation.  I don’t want to get used to this.  I don’t want to be so destroyed that the death of a child becomes part of normal everyday life.

Millions of parents will hug their children tonight, I will go to sleep alone with memories of my son’s unmarked grave.  No parent is ever prepared to bury their child, but the way my son’s grave looks is evidence that I was caught by surprise.  Until I can afford to place a stone on his grave, it will remain unmarked but covered with symbols of our love for little Prince McLeod.  He was taken from me too soon and without warning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 Comments

  1. Lauri Gervasi on December 15, 2012 at 5:27 pm

    I am so so very sorry for your loss. I read your posts daily and I want you to know you are in my thoughts and prayers everyday. Bieng so close to this recent tragedy here in CT my heart Is heavy for all of you who have lost a little one. I can not begin to imagine your pain. I am sending the deepest hug I can from here in CT . Xo



  2. Marica on December 15, 2012 at 5:55 pm

    My heart breaks for you, for your precious child. I have not lost a child to death, let alone such a cruel death.
    I cannot begin to imagine your pain, but want you to know I do feel great pain for you and for your sweet little
    Prince. All I can think to do is send a cyber hug, although it probably won’t make either of us feel a whole lot
    better, but it is sent with the hope that you will somehow know the sincerity of my words.



  3. Christine on December 19, 2012 at 11:33 am

    I just don’t know what to say… Not being able to put a headstone on his grave must add to your grief and despair. I wish I could help in some way, but all I can do is pray. He knows he is loved no matter what his grave looks like.



  4. Stillhere on December 20, 2012 at 9:34 am

    CappiQ,

    Are you ok? I am sure you aren’t “fine” as I get it. I also know on a different level but grief nonetheless, I had 9 people close to me die within the first 2 years of my daughters life and I wondered how I was getting through it and felt it was a bit too smoothly. When 9/11 occurred, I was pummeled with grief and felt I grieved all deaths at one time. I hope if you are experiencing something like this, you reach out to those who are safe and supportive. I know the holidays alone would be a task to endure this year. I just hope you are ok…….

    (((((HUGS)))))
    Eralyn