While there are 'Walks to Remember' all over the country between now and October 15th (a few after), the National S.H.A.R.E. and a related walk will occur in Naperville Illinoise, and St. Charles, Missouri (closer to National SHARE). Visit their websites for times, locations and details, and plan to attend.
I began my work in this area in 1978, which is now 38 years ago. At that time, SHARE was just beginning to take off under Jane Marie Lamb, and the most popular books were Peppers and Knapp Motherhood and Mourning, Kotzwinkle's Swimmer in a Secret Sea, and Glen Davidson's Death of the Wished for Child.
Thirty eight years later, it is astounding how far everyone has come and what has been accomplished: many dissertations and significant research projects, the Missing Angels Bills in a number of legislatures, support now available in almost every hospital worldwide, and SHARE even fared just fine after the very sad death of Sr. Jane. IF there were one irreplaceable person in the field it would have been her, and I know she would be so pleased to see what became of the Walk to Remember, Memorial Services, and in-hospital care.
I counted her as a friend though we did not know each other well, we have some long conversations about grief and mourning, God, and the world back then: she was always a welcoming and edifying person. Blessings to all of you who followed in her footsteps, and continued the great work once started: So many parents with a listening ear now, so many lives saved and healed. Be blessed on October 15th.
