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Article: 'We baptised him with our tears': a family is forced to say goodbye. (reactions to death of an infant)(Column)
- Article from:
- National Catholic Reporter
- Article date:
- July 31, 1998
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1998 National Catholic Reporter. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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She had that beautiful balloon for a few precious moments. It was released from her custody too soon, and the loss was devastating.
Yesterday my 2-year-old daughter, Betsy, became passionately attached to a purple balloon filled with helium and tied to a ribbon. She, her big sister and I walked outside together, balloon clutched tightly in little fist, when the inevitable tragedy occurred -- the balloon was "freed" and floated east into the flawless afternoon sky.
Inconsolable, my baby wailed. She demanded through her tears, "Mama, Can't you get it? Why did it go away? I want it back." Here was true grief. She had that beautiful balloon for a few ...