"I know how you feel."

Perhaps my hormones are getting the better of me today. Or maybe it's just stress. I don't know. Either way, I'm just a little more than irritated by hearing someone tell me they know how I feel. Some people say, "I know just what you're going through because I too lost a child." And almost every time I hear that, it is from someone who had a miscarriage at 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, etc. THAT IS NOT THE SAME as losing Gabby! I also have people tell me they understand because their child was stillborn. But again, it is NOT the same as taking home a child and caring for her for almost 4.5 MONTHS. There are so many memories that I must also grieve...not just the loss of my child. I completely understand that a miscarriage and a stillbirth are horrible. I am NOT trying to say those things mean nothing. They are tragic forms of loss and those who experience those types of loss are truly hurting. However, it just isn't the same as losing an older infant or child.

I also recognize that my loss is probably not as hard to handle as losing a toddler or older child - after parenting that child for such a long time. I do not pretend to understand what that is like even though I can relate in some ways.

I suppose anger is a normal part of the grieving process. I just don't like it very much. :-) Perhaps with time and lots of prayers, this will get easier.