20 Comments
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Christopher Booth's avatar

This is profoundly moving. Thank you for writing it, and for choosing to publish it. It is helpful - and beautiful.

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marianne foege's avatar

Raegan I am sorry for your loss of your beloved son. Your article touched me and made me want to cry for you. I lost a daughter at five days. It has been forty years since she died. Your article brought the feelings back up in me. I really liked how you wrote about the experience in such a matter of fact real world way. Thank you for sharing this. May God bless your family.

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Raegan Bird's avatar

Thank you for sharing this and blessings to you as well!

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Heidi's avatar

Rae I’m so proud of you and Nathan for being so brave and loving little Henry with all your heart. I still pray for little Henry and picture him with my dad. They’re sitting in a rocking chair and little Henry is smiling. I love you and Nathan and wish you peace. Love Auntie Heidi

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Reena Kapoor's avatar

Profoundly and breathtakingly beautiful because it’s so brave! To find meaning in grief from life’s hardships is an act of courage.

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Ed's avatar

“Boo, Forever", also by Richard Brautigan

Spinning like a ghost

on the bottom of a

top,

I'm haunted by all

the space that I

will live without

you.

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Jules Lambert Lemelin's avatar

Rea,

Your love for Henry is heartfelt. Our health care can be a cold and sterile experience and a deeply warm experience one as well. Your words deeply capture both. Sending you continued healing and much love.

Jules

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Michelle Bridgham's avatar

Raegan this was so beautiful, thank you for sharing, the two of you are courageous beyond words, I pray for you and your family everyday ❤️❤️❤️

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Allie Rowbottom's avatar

What an incredible, moving piece of writing. Thank you for writing it. Love you, Rae.

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Morgan Lawless's avatar

I am sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing.

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Mirinda Rose's avatar

I will carry this piece and your story with me, sending so much love to you Raegan 💌

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RL's avatar

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

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👉🏻jonathan_foster's avatar

You should be really proud of this writing; even more proud of your parenting.

Beauty and grief are two sides of the same coin, which I suspect is love. Love’s with you.

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James Kinsley's avatar

With writing like this, I'm eager to read that first novel your bio makes reference to.

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Divesh Punjabi's avatar

Thank you for sharing, was profoundly moved by this. I truly echo the words from your friend Mary.

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Mathew's avatar

I never write on strangers substack posts but I want to say thank you for writing this from a young male in Kentucky who has never had kids and still am blown away by how moving and human your writing is. thank you so much

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kevin sun's avatar

thank you for this beautiful piece - praying for you, your husband, and Henry.

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