Happy Birthday Princess: Celebrations Are A Big Part Of Parenting
By Donovan Grant
Our Princess, Kyra Grant would have been 12 years old today, so we celebrate in memory of her.
Sadly she left us after such a short time of play, fun and beautiful smiles. When your child dies at any age, it is one of the toughest things a parent can experience. In fact I can’t even think of the right adjective to describe the feeling.
Let’s just say that it was a very low point in life.
Kyra was just 6 days short of being 3 months old and she was a happy, bouncy and cheeky little baby. 48 hours later she was gone! The disease of Meningitis had found its way into her body and her developing immune system just wasn’t strong enough for the fight.
At times it felt like our hearts had been pulled through the fire by the worst fate that can happen to a parent.
We saw a future teacher, a future scientist or maybe a future entrepreneur just taken away from us. The doctors, the nurses and big strong dad could do nothing to save her. This was the first time in my life that I felt helpless.
Have you ever had a setback that has really knocked you back?
Life is really as fragile as a plate of glass and our destiny is uncertain. In one minute you can be on top of the world and then in the next moment it could all be taken away from you. What is important is how we respond to the experiences that come our way. What meaning can you give to a situation like this?
I was brought up in a Christian household and was always told to believe that ‘everything happens for a reason’. We were raised to believe in fate. The Pastor taught us that the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away! But, taking our baby away at such a young age just didn’t seem right!
What happens when you have an experience that changes the pace of your life in a big way?
We all get many deep moments of reflection where life takes on new meaning. The toughest part is always the questions that we have no answer to:
Why me?
Couldn’t this happen to someone else?
What does this situation really mean?
In all honesty, 12 years later I still don’t know why our baby left us so suddenly. What I do know is that the human spirit can face a new day while at the same time honouring the memory of a loved one. We have the ability to be courageous if we can look within and listen to that still voice.
What did this adversity teach me?
I cried real tears for the first time in many years. It was a feeling of many emotions that had built up over the years and had been waiting to be released. It was also the awareness that I was living this perfectionist life where men don’t cry and everything had to be done precisely or not done it at all. I think if Kyra could have spoken to me her message would have been ”dad, follow your destiny”.
How about you?
Are you following your destiny or has a setback stopped you in your tracks?
One thing for sure is that many of us face life changing situations within your families every day. And then we ask the question “what’s next?” We owe to ourselves to have a pause and when it’s time to move on we need to take action.
My dream from a very young age was to help young people and their parents to shoot for the stars. To be all that you can be. Speaking as a former perfectionist, I truly know what it is like to have a goal and not take action towards it.
As your coach, I would like to say that it is time to live your dreams.
While we celebrate the birthday of our little princess I’d like to say thank you for being a part of my destiny.
My fellow parents, you know that the development of the child is so important for all of us. Sometimes, it may not be easy, so remember you are never alone in your challenges and you can do it!
Have you picked up our FREE 5-day e-coaching program for parents and the children?
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Let’s take time to celebrate every day and show our children how much you love them.
We believe in you and your family.
Donovan Grant is a coach, mentor, blogger, speaker and IT professional who brings his wisdom of parenting for the last 21 years and coaching clients through the stages of raising youth and empowering leaders with life lessons that are changing generations. He is a passionate and committed leader who believes that we all have the ability to help to change someone else’s life. Actively doing so as a catalyst for many years he teaches how to live a life of success, balance, integrity and fun, whether at work or at play. www.donovangrant.com
