The Secret Child: Life after Loss

By Brenda Pearce, Jill Hill Kraft Thompson, Merrie Lynn Ross and 10 more

A collection of heart-centered sharing from parents of LOSS with raw authenticity, healing, hope, and wisdom.

In this book, we, as parents of loss, have come together to share our stories of our children and the impact that their lives and their passing, have had on us. It is a journey we would never wish on anyone, yet the truth is it does happen.

Child loss happens in all walks of life, spans all cultures, and impacts us on so many levels.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brenda Pearce
• Release date: Apr 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9798985639711

Book preview

IN PRAISE OF…

This book speaks many volumes within its first and last page, as it covers the entire range of human emotions that come from the deepest kind of loss, the loss of a child. No one can begin to understand this experience unless they have lived it, felt it and dealt with the pain, the sorrow, and ultimately the decision to go on with life, delicate, powerful and forever changed. These stories will touch you in the very deepest of places, in your heart...your spirit...your souls...those very special places that make us all uniquely human and connect us all as one family. I highly recommend this book...open the pages and allow these beautiful and touching stories to stir you like nothing else can.

Malinda Zarate

Emboldened Heart

EmboldenedHeart.com

Link to gift recording Energy of the Heart: http://www.emboldenedheart.com/energy-of-the-heart-gift/

* * *

This book, brought to you by Brenda Pearce, and Dr. Sue Denk, will be an enormous blessing to anybody who has lost a child...young or old. It is full of heart-healing messages that will bless their hurting soul. The tender stories, wise advice and clear direction that these parents of loss share will provide hope to those dealing with the heart wrenching agony of this kind of loss. Sharing proven ways to heal from the immeasurable sorrow and crippling pain of the loss of a child will touch you... at the deepest level. It is a must read for all!

Jack M. Zufelt - Mentor to Millions

Author, Motivational Speaker

and Grandfather of loss

* * *

This book will be a good friend to anyone who has ever lost a child or wants to comfort someone who has. It is written with the heart’s honesty and the soul’s healing.

Gloria Loring

Actress, Singer, Author, Advocate

* * *

This book will touch many hearts and souls. Often, we, as a society do not speak of our losses in life for many reasons. But these parents of loss have chosen to share their losses and give us a new perspective and an honest ‘view’ into a heart wrenching experience that often many never speak of for many reasons. This is the perfect gift to share this book with those in our life circle who know this experience. I thank you, all of you who have shared in this book your heart and soul experience. Peace, Love, and Courage be yours as you unselfishly continue to share through these pages.

Becki Hawkins

Author of Transitions: A Nurse’s Education About Life and Death

* * *

Brenda Pearce & Dr. Sue Denk have done the world a service by writing The Secret Child. Now parents who have lost a child have an additional resource to help them to discover their own way to process the grief and come to terms with life again.

* * *

Alena Chapman

Curator and Nurturer,

Host of radio/podcast show Magical Moments Founder of SoulManifesto.com

* * *

I cannot imagine how the loss of one’s child must feel, much less how I would cope and move on. And yet, it appears that when one loses a child, it elicits the greatest feeling and expression of love imaginable, even in the midst of such. How can two such profound feelings exist simultaneously? These stories are not intended to create sadness or sorrow, but to uplift and inspire. They bring us together as parents and humanity through the joy and love of these precious Souls whose physical lives were cut short. They serve as the vehicle through which we can experience and express our humanness and compassion. Your heart will be tugged in many directions, and yet, you will experience an immense sense of gratitude for the willingness of these courageous parents to share their child’s story.

Jim Phillips, CPC

Certified Professional LIFE Strategist

THE SECRET CHILD

LIFE AFTER LOSS

BRENDA PEARCE

DR. SUE DENK

WISDOMS FROM THE HEART PUBLICATIONS

The Secret Child - Life After Loss

by Brenda Pearce & Dr. Sue Denk

Published by: Wisdoms From The Heart Publications

Copyright © 2022

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without the written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

TheSecretChildBookSeries.com [e-mail]

ISBN: 979-8-9856397-2-8

Edited by: BP - DSD

Proofreading: Mary Jane Mannella

Interior layout by: Rod Schulhauser - MPS

Cover design by: Rod Schulhauser - MPS

Project Management by: Rod Schulhauser - MPS

DEDICATIONS

We dedicate this book to all grieving parents. May you find peace.

* * *

This book is lovingly dedicated to my 4 beautiful children... Kevin, Kenneth, James, and Allison.

You are all seeds of love allowed to bloom in your own unique and beautiful way.

My love to you all for allowing me to be your mom.

Brenda Pearce

* * *

This book is dedicated to the parents who grieve and who shared with us as we honor all the children who have gone before us, leaving a special place in our hearts that can never heal. Your strength and fortitude are beautiful examples of resiliency and the human spirit to move forward in life. It is dedicated to my children, Barbara, Lynda and Scott, and to my granddaughters, Abby and Lilly. You are free spirits, enthusiastically seeking different plateaus as unique as each of you. My love and support will always be there for you. And this book is dedicated to my own mother, whose love, kindness, and gentleness remain in my heart and who taught me that I can do anything I set my mind to.

Dr. Sue Denk

TOO BEAUTIFUL FOR EARTH

God smiled down & saw my child,

And said, Too beautiful for Earth.

God stretched out his hand

And touched her heart

She realized a more beautiful place than Earth.

Filled with health, healing & hope,

She took a breath & let it go.

Now soaring beyond our dreams

To a place more beautiful than Earth.

She holds our hearts & feels our tears,

Now guides us to a place of peace.

She feels our pain & wants us to know

Heaven is waiting & she will be there

In a place more beautiful than Earth

©2021 Brenda Pearce

CONTENTS

Foreword

Introduction

To Love in Time

In Memory of Byron - Merrie Lynn Ross

No Foot Too Small - Sharon Milliman

Grieving With Love - Jonathon Aslay

A Loss Felt for a Lifetime - Teresa Syms

From Heaven, With All My Love, Barbara - Dr. Sue Denk

My Dearest Brayden - Marsha McConnell

Always In My Heart - Brenda Pearce

A Note from the Authors

Resurrecting the Broken Heart - Connie Batsell

Christmas in Heaven

Soul Guidance: Our Love. Our Loss. Our Soul Legacy. - Iona Meade

Remembering Kevin Always - Brenda Foris

Clive Tinashe Mugabe: 30 March, 1993 - 18 June, 1994 - Tsitsi Kaseke

To Honor Toni - Mary Jane Mannella

My Heart Story - Theresa Staber

Wisdom From Our Hearts to Yours - Dr. Sue Denk & Brenda Pearce

About the Authors

FOREWORD

Jill Hill Kraft Thompson

The Secret Child is a composition of stories from those of us who have found peace in the legacy our children have left behind. Each child that passes is unique and has changed our lives in many different ways. This book shares the process of living life after loss, moving forward through the all-encompassing pain and delving into the abundance of love they have left surrounding us.

As I am writing, I periodically look up and see the picture that my husband Bart enlarged, printed, and framed for me of our boys playing on the beach near Sperlonga, Italy, just south of Rome. Samuel is in a jacket and Ben is in a short sleeve t-shirt and jeans. I remember Bart and I giggling at the disgruntled Italians walking by, appalled that we would allow our 6 and 4-year-olds to play in the sand at this time of year. It was only February, who cares that it was at least 70 degrees out! It just is not time to let children play at the beach! We had lived Avezzano, Italy for almost a year by then, and we were aware of the importance of proper etiquette. Yet Ben and Sam were loving the freedom of running and playing without the abundance of people, and the close quarters.

Bart and I were enjoying the warm weather, snuggling, and watching the boys having so much fun. This is one of my happiest memories just weeks before they all died. It sits next to the glass turtle Benjamin purchased in Murano, Italy the day before the accident. The artist sold it to Ben for only $10 because Benjamin spoke fluent Italian to him. In the beginning of my grief, I thought this was all that I would have left of everyone I had lost that horrible day. You see, I lost my mom, my niece, my husband, and my two sweet boys when a semi-truck lost control, killing all but my sister and me. Ever since I was a little girl, the only thing I wanted in my life was to be a mom. Once I became a mom, my biggest fear was losing them. My nightmare came true. How on earth was I going to find happiness once again? Was that even a possibility?

It took me years to grapple through my losses from that day. And if I am honest, there are still some really hard days. Yet what I have found is their death has not diminished their lives. I still get to love Samuel’s silly dance moves, and his cheek-to-cheek face squish. I love to hear the stories my friends, family and his Italian teachers share when we are together. He was only 4 when he passed, but he continues to bring joy to those that knew him and to others who are hearing his stories for the first time. As much as Samuel brings joy and laughter, Benjamin brings kindness and love. Ben was 6 and he knew he was going to save the world. He wanted to learn all the world’s languages so