by Jeanni Ritchie
The Alexandria Zoo has a beautiful butterfly garden in the children’s area devoted to the children who’ve gone before us. My absolute favorite part in the entire zoo is the bright yellow swing that screams HOPE. It is vital for parents who’ve lost children to maintain hope during the darkest days of grief.
Each year the Bereaved Parents of Central Louisiana hosts a Butterfly Garden Memorial Service for parents who’ve lost children of any age. During last month’s ceremony, soft music played as encouraging words were read. Parents then shared poems or readings- I shared my own poem of letting go of anger in the midst of grief – and each parent spoke aloud the name of their child before placing a memorial ornament on the Butterfly Tree.
It was a time of remembrance and togetherness, the bonds of grief over losing a child creating a kinship among community members. For some it’s a reunion from year to year, checking in on those they’ve met along the way. Some parents are new- their grief so fresh it took everything they had just to attend. Others, like me, continue to go years later not just to pay tribute to our children but to loan newly grieving parents the same hope that was given to us in our darkest hour.
After the service parents walked around the path of bricks adorned with the names of our children. They were in our arms but for a short time but in our hearts forever.
Jeanni Ritchie celebrated her daughter Kacey’s 30th Christmas in Heaven in 2024, having only shared one Christmas with her on earth. She promotes grief groups and bereavement support for parents and may be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com for additional grief resources.
