An Incredible Circle of Love for Grieving Parents

On October 14, 2000, Beliefnet member Sandy Whalen started a

for bereaved parents in memory of her son Shane, who had died suddenly the year before of heart failure at age 24. Sandy, whose member name is

, wrote at the time, “This Circle is one of Love, where a Grieving Parent can safely come to for Prayers, and to talk about their feelings.”

Today, it remains one of Beliefnet's longest prayer circles, with thousands of posts.

Sandy’s welcoming words and loving spirit tapped into a deep unmet need. The prayer circle has evolved into a valued support group for hundreds of parents who check in with and help one other through what one member calls “the valley days.”

Sandy, who spends three to four hours a week voluntarily answering every post, explains why she thinks the circle has touched so many people: “I noticed that moms and dads wanted to talk about their pain and grief, the different feelings and emotions that the unique loss of a child brings up, the painful memories as well as the good ones. But quite often they didn't have the ongoing support they desperately needed from family and friends, who don't, of course, understand how this type of loss deeply affects you and changes the person you once were.

“This is a very safe haven to let your feelings out," she continues. "They would never be judged by what they share, and only [be] offered support, compassion, understanding and love (and of course prayers!)—so it has given them a 'voice' that they wouldn't normally have in their lives.”

She adds, “I get just as much back from it, and it has helped me tremendously in my own journey.”

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