An Empty Cradle, a Full Heart: Reflections for Mothers and Fathers after Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Infant Death
by By Tickle, Phyllis (FRW) and Lafser, Christine OKeeffe
Category: Family & Relationships , Death, Grief, Bereavement

“Bereavement after the loss of a baby is often quiet and lonely,” writes  Christine O’Keeffe Lafser, who has twice lost a child to death. “There is no  wake or funeral, no grave site, no memorial to our baby’s life or death. . . .  Since there are no real memories of our little one’s life, people have a hard  time comprehending the depth of our love and grief.” In these reflections,  Lafser offers grieving parents the empathy and courage that can come only from  one who has walked the same difficult path.“Chris expressed so many of my thoughts and feelings and made me feel  so normal. . . . The greatest gift is learning that God does not desert us in  our time of need.”Linda Davis, Compassionate Friends, after miscarriage and  stillbirth“The juxtaposition of a Scripture text with each reflection is  inspired. Some of the texts are breathtaking in their beauty and  appropriateness. This book is a ‘must’ for anyone who is ever touched by the  loss of an infant.”Joseph Awad, poet and grieving grandfather“This book will be very helpful for parents who are mourning the loss  of their child. It will also prove very beneficial to anyone who is ministering  to a bereaved parent.”Robert N. Craig, O.F.M. Cap., hospital chaplain“These reflections allowed me to ‘be’ how I was feeling—not feel like I  should be going through the stages of grief that other books described. With  this book I was no longer a square peg trying to fit into a round  hole.”Jeanette Siebels, after infant death