The Many Faces of Grief

Up, Up and Away

Nine years ago, Lareina lost her son Kaelen just before he was due to be born. This left her with a feeling of being alone. As she describes it, such events lead to choices in life, and she decided to get involved with “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep” (a volunteer organization that does remembrance photography for newborns).

Every year, Lareina, her family and friends gather on Nov 11 (Kaelen’s birthday) to write birthday cards to him and tie them to helium-filled balloons. To me, the balloon launch is a wonderful way to remember him, and a symbolic “letting go”.