Months have passed since Brianna died and the grief we feel is sometimes insurmountable. I have told my husband I am broken and will never be the same. I suspect he feels the same. But I do have days when the grief does not consume me and I think of our talented daughter with a smile on my face. Other times, I just sit and cry in disbelief that she is gone and that life has dealt us this nightmarish blow.
To help me weather the worst kind of grief a parent can experience, I have turned to my art and have started a new blog: Art & Healing. There, you will find some of the art I am creating and some of the emotional roller coaster we are still one. I lose myself in my art, and I have some quiet moments when I think I am still the mother of two children, before reality sets in. I love our son Trevor and know he is suffering too. But his life is still ahead of him, and he tries hard to try to be "just another 16-year-old" at school and with his friends. We understand, but also talk about the pain we all feel.
We have finally set up the charitable giving fund in Brianna's name. It is managed by Fidelty Charitable Gift Fund. This means that every year, our family and friends can donate to the fund and the donations are tax deductible. However, the minimum donation is $1,000. We are looking into ways that smaller donations can be made, either by matching funds or pooling donations.
In addition, we are also going through the charity or charities that could benefit from this money. Organizations, colleges or institutions that promote art will be our focus, since Brianna had a passion for art. For those of you who donated, we thank you so very much for your kindness.
I will be adding links about the charitable giving fund on my new blog and website. We appreciate the love we have felt from so many in the arts community, from friends and family, and Brianna's friends. I will leave you with a quote from the book I read often, Healing After Loss, by Martha Whitmore Hickman:
I am, and always will be, a part of all that I have known.
5 comments:
Iva,
I have just read the May/June 08article in Somerset Studio about your daughter and the hero she was to you and others. I can't imagine the pain you have suffered, but I want to tell you how inspiring your story is to read. Your atwork is beautiful and I am sure Brianna is very proud of you and the artwork you are creating as you heal. Thank you for sharing your story and exposing yourself raw on the page. You are my hero!
I send my sincere love and hugs to you.
Shirley in Florida
I just read your aricle in Somerset Sutdio. I too lost my daughter 2 year ago in an auto accident. She was an amazing girl. I have wanted to do some sort of art or tribute album to help me work through the pain but haven't known how to get started. Your article was very encouraging. I am so sorry for your loss; I understand the pain.
Meschill
Iva,
I found your blog because my name is Brianna Grant, too and this came up when I Googled my name. I studied art history in college, was an educator and am now the author of a book for girls called We Are Girls Who Love to Run. If you'd like to use the book as a fundraiser for your cause, let me know because my company offers non-profits a special price for selling the book as a fundraiser. Perhaps our common name and love of art would be a great connection for the work you do and for your healing process.
Feel free to visit my blog and the Balanced Steps website that talks about the book.
Wishing you well,
Brianna K. Grant
I took a picture of an Angel setting on a sun Beam. www.thesunisalive.blogspot.com. I hope this gives you some comfort. Lori
Dearest Iva, I cannot begin to even imagine losing my daughter. There are so many questions I will have when I meet God face to face...beautiful beautiful girl. Sending all my love on the wings of a desert sparrow...lifting you in prayer, never ceasing. Deb
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