Remembering Kelly

A year ago today my family suffered a huge loss, my much loved sister in law Kelly lost her life after battling with a severe case of Post-Partum Depression (PPD). My brother lost his wife, best friend and partner. My niece, who was just shy of 3 months old, lost her mother and the opportunity to experience all a mother’s love has to offer.
It has been a tough year for all of us affected by this tragedy. We have all grieved in our own way and in our own time. We have different ways of coping and we all still feel the void that has been left in our hearts. The one thing that we all feel strongly about is spreading the message of Kelly’s story and making sure other families are aware of the dangers and serious nature of PPD.
This past year I personally have had many friends and even a few family members that have been given the gift of becoming a mother, whether if it’s for the first time or an additional blessing to their family. And I feel I would be failing Kelly if I didn’t do all I could to make sure that all of these wonderful mothers are doing well and are taking good care of themselves not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.
I am not a mother myself but after Kelly’s passing I moved in with my brother to help care for my infant niece. I know how tiring it can be and how helpless it can sometimes feel with a little one. Add to that recovering from giving birth and hormones that affect a mother and I can see how easy it may be to feel alone and have trouble believing you can do it or even get through the day.
I urge all new mothers to take time for you, to talk to your support system if you need to vent, and if you are suffering from PPD to please seek professional help. The stigma of PPD needs to be erased, it doesn’t make you a bad mother, and it doesn’t mean something is wrong with you if you need help. It’s important for you and your family to take the best care of yourself that you can.
I hope today as we remember and celebrate Kelly’s life that we can all spread this message on to those women in our lives we love. I know Kelly would not want another woman and another family to go through the loss we have endured.