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Open Letter of Support for @Military_Mom

Shellie,
The odds of you finding this are slim, but given the circumstances and the controversy swirling around you, I feel compelled to speak out. Hopefully others will read and find it in their hearts to send your condolences instead of insults.

You’re in the midst of quite possibly the worst that can happen in life: the loss of your toddler while your husband is overseas serving in the military. And then, to add insult to injury, the online community has crucified you for asking people to pray for you while the EMTs were working on your son.

I found my daughter unresponsive in her bed last year, so I understand a little bit (not exactly the same, I know) of what you’re going through. Not the media hell, of course. But the way it goes when you call 911 and they respond and work for 30-45 minutes in your home and there’s nothing whatsoever you can do to help. And the way it goes when they take your child to the hospital and then pronounce them dead and how awful it is to leave the hospital without your child. And about trying to make the worst phone call you can imagine to people you love and who love you and having no idea how to say it and when you finally choke the horrible words out having to hear those people lose it on the other end of the line. I know that part.

I am so so sorry for your loss. A child is a priceless treasure and burying one is unspeakably painful. I’m incensed at abuse and slander and trashing of you. I don’t know why people kick people when they’re down. I don’t know how to make it stop, but I hope that in some small way, this post can encourage people to quit criticizing you and let you grieve unjudged.

I will be praying and thinking of you and your family as you grieve. May you be surrounded by those who love and support you.

Hugs,
Joy

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