For Mother's Day, there will be gatherings and celebrations honoring mothers. Families will come together to toast their moms on this special day and shower her with gifts and love. But what of the families who are immersed in grief this Mother's Day? What about those who have lost their mother? What about the bereaved mother who has just experienced a miscarriage or stillbirth? What of the parents whose child of any age has died?

Openness and honesty during the grieving process are vital.

When you survive a deep loss like the death of your child, I don't think many people would argue with the fact that you come through this event a changed person.  In fact, I think "changed" is putting it mildly.  And while most people would (and do) agree with this notion in theory, the ramifications in practice are not so easily accepted.

So, what happens when you are living in your grief and the rest of the world has gone back to their lives?  How can you cope with the well-meaning family and friends who have decided that it is time for you to move on?  Once you've settled into your post-loss life, what are you supposed to do about the well-meaning people who just wish you'd be happier, more interested in life, or just quite simply... the old you?