Tomorrow is Xavier’s birthday. He would be three. It’s hard not to think of the things I should be doing. Buying balloons, baking a cake, wrapping presents.
Instead, I stole a few moments to make him a prayer flag. I make him one ever year.
I chose three hearts and three butterflies. Signifying the age he would he. Representing my three sons. It hangs, pure and white, against the aged flags that have fluttered on the balcony for so long now. They are yellowing and starting to become brittle. I like these changes. The way the flags evolve and change. The way Xavier never will.
I want to write him a poem, but the words that used to flow so easily are stilted now. Once upon a time he whispered poetry into my ear and I caught the words. He was so close. He feels bewilderingly far away.
The pain has eased. Because he does not occupy my every waking thought, life has returned to the safe harbours of normal. But birthdays are birthdays and anniversaries are anniversaries. They are tough. There is no opting out.
Every year is slightly different. This year I am angry. A new kind of angry. Not just angry that he died – that came to be the moment he left. Not just angry at myself for not protecting him – that anger was born when he took his last breath. But angry that I have to think about celebrating the life of a dead child at all. Angry that no matter how far I row away from grief, these dates will always draw me back. Angry that I am snapping at friends and parenting in absentia, as my mind wanders elsewhere. Angry that I apparently have no control over that. Angry that I want to spend time with him and on his memory, but that my busy life has robbed me of that time. Angry that I don’t just say NO to those other things and spent the precious time I can with my son. Angry that I am angry.
Angry that I am the mother of a dead child.
I don’t want to be angry. I want to be the best mother I can for all my sons. I want to remember my Xavier with love and devotion. I want to be tender and bereft, not angry and thrashing. I find conflict difficult. Even internal conflict.
My dearest boy, I love you still. Even when you feel far away, even when life seems to move away from you, even when there are days when my thoughts don’t wander to your side, even when the years place distance between us that I cannot bridge. I love you still.
chasinghissunshine.com 
Happy birthday beautiful boy. Look down on your mummy and daddy and brothers and give them the strength they need to survive another year without you.
Wish you were here. xx
Thank you dear friend. xxx.
Happy birthday to your special little man, I think your words are still there, this is beautiful. It’s just over four years since we lost our baby girl and her brother and I agree that each year it’s so very different. I’m also angry that I am a mum to two precious children who are not here with me. I’m angry that my two boys will never get to meet their big brother and sister and I’m angry that I don’t have four children here with me. I wish you all the strength in the world xx
I am so sorry that you are also part of this terrible mothers group. I wish you had all four of your children surrounding you. Thank you for your kind words and I wish you strength, love and light right back. xxx.
Happy birthday Xavier. You will always be in your mother’s heart. Love to you and your family Robyna at this painful time x
Thank you xxx, And thank you for reading a little bit about my boy – it makes me feel like he is making new friends, even when he’s no longer here.
There is nothing greater or stronger than a mother’s love. It will never wax or wain or be eroded by time or distance. Your words are beautiful as always.
Thank you Brooke – you are right, nothing can break it.
Happy Birthday Xavier your Oma and Opa love you.
Thank you Mum. Love you too xxxx
And you will always love him… Sending you hugs today…
Thank you …. Always.
I love that you make a prayer flag every year & that they remain hanging each year. The way you write about Xavier is beautiful & I have no doubt that wherever his spirit flies your love reaches him.
Giant, enormous hugs to you lady xx
Thank you … it is a beautiful tradition and do feel peace when I make them for him. xxx
Oh beautiful Robyna, I’m in tears reading this. I have no words to offer. The push and pull is so difficult. Sending you lots of love. Xavier your mummy is an exceptional lady. All five of you are the life force of so much grace and kindness. I hope those of us around you remember to give as much back. Xxx
Thank you Esther. That means a great deal xxxx
This is a beautiful post. Thanks for writing it. I think it’s even harder to lose a toddler than it is to lose a teenager, as my husband and I did.
I never know with grief – all losses are so individual and so steeped in sadness. Sending love in memory of your son.
Thank you Robnya. I have a sweater that Erica (the teenager we lost) gave to me. Erica was in her late teens, and committed suicide – which comes with its own set of issues. I treasure the sweater, and after all these years, it mostly is a warm connection to her. The sweater is wearing and weathering like your flags, and sometimes, unexpectedly, when I put it on, it comes over my head bearing waves of sorrow.