Meet Annie the Angel...

Carson hasn't really expressed too much grief since my Dad suddenly and unexpectedly passed away in August of this year, aged just 51. Him being on the autistic spectrum means he behaves slightly unusually when it comes to things like this. Very logically and methodically. Not often very emotionally. Not that I'm bothered! I just want to make sure I don't under-estimate how he may be feeling just because he doesn't show it. 

But then he goes through periods like this...

grieving child


Clinging onto his own personal photo of my Dad, taking it everywhere with him. He also has rang a bell on the tree a couple of times quietly exclaiming "here you are Grandad, a fresh wing for you" (It's a Wonderful Life!) then kisses his photo. He does this when he thinks I'm not watching.

My lovely friend Cheryl came around to see us yesterday and had something wonderful to share with Carson. I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I cried into my scarf on the couch and couldn't talk for at least 5 minutes afterwards. I asked if I could share her gesture with you guys as I truly think it's amazing - not just for a child with a condition that may make grieving a little tougher, but for any child at all. She said it was fine.

So, meet Annie the Angel. A teeny tiny porcelain angel that sleeps in a silk 'blue cloud blanket'. 



Anything Carson wants to tell his Grandad, anything at all, can be told to Annie. Then, at night when Carson is sleeping, Annie climbs out from under his pillow and out of her blue cloud blanket, she flies to heaven to check Grandad got the messages that were sent that day before returning back to Carson ready for some more messages. 

He so bought into this. He was touched. You could see it in his face. I thought he was going to cry but instead came over to me and hugged me. He told me to calm down and not to worry because I could use Annie whenever I wanted to as well. He is so caring. His eyes were glazed over and his mouth held differently. I swear he was going to cry.

Since Cheryl told this story and gifted Carson with Annie, the photo of my Dad sits peacefully next to the fish tank in the day then on his bedside table at night. 

Annie the Angel can be looked upon as a kind of emotional therapy for those who are maybe too young to express their grief, or have difficulty in doing so. I think it's a wonderful, wonderful gesture and to see how it affected Carson just got me. Amazing.

What do you think?

22 comments:

  1. Aw what a sweet idea. Sorry for your loss, hope you start to feel better soon x

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    1. Thanks for your comment Emma, I agree - it's so sweet!

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  2. My condolences on the passing of your dad. I love the techniques you shared regards children mourning the loss of a loved one. Xxx
    Outfittingu.com/blog

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    1. Thanks Lessette, that means a lot. I hope others can find this helpful too x

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  3. What a beautiful blog post. Love and hugs to Carson and I'm glad the angel is helping him.

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    1. Thanks Sarah. It really is helping. He told my mum about Annie yesterday and was very vulnerable when doing so. Shows he believes x

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  4. Aww! This is such a lovely idea! So sorry about your dad xxx

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    1. Thanks Kim. It really is such a lovely idea!!

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  5. Aw Jo what a wonderful thing, I can only imagine how tough it's been on you all and I'm glad Carson has found Annie helpful xx

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    1. Thanks Hannah. Annie has been such a therapy for him, it's wonderful x

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  6. Such a wonderful idea, especially for children struggling with grief but that don't entirely understand it all
    AliceMegan

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    1. Thank you. As much as I;d love to take credit for it, it's my friend that came to the rescue here. Absolutely fantastic x

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  7. Reading this made me well up. such a great idea. what a caring friend you have. X

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    1. She really is caring. I sobbed and sobbed when she was explaining the story to Carson. x

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  8. I'm so happy he has taken to her and she is helping him, you both nearly had me crying when I was finished xxx

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    1. I hope my post gave your story the admiration it deserves Cheryl <3
      You're fab xx

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  9. I am very sorry for your loss. What a lovely idea from your friend and what a lovely boy you have!! xx

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  10. That is such a sweet idea. I am really sorry to hear about your Dad.

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  11. This is an amazing idea, so difficult for children to understand when people are gone. So sorry for your loss.x

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  12. Such a wonderful idea. I work in a library and we have some great books for children that explore themes about grief and loss, might be worth borrowing one of these and reading it as a family.

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  13. My goodness this almost got me in tears! This is such a sweet idea.
    I'm so sorry for your loss, I hope you'll feel better soon.

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  14. This is the sweetest idea. I am sorry for your loss.

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