Doryce Norwood, Board Member - Yes, Healing IS Possible!
Posted
-
- Apr
- 11
- 2024
by Elizabeth Boisson
Wendy, Haley and Doryce
Twenty years ago, yes, two decades, in the Spring of 2004, my daughter Wendy and 10-year-old granddaughter Haley, were killed by a drunk and drug impaired driver. At the time, I did not think I could ever survive without them. The sadness was so deep that it enveloped my entire being and nothing or no one could give me peace (even though those who loved me tried very hard to do just that).
My message to all my fellow Shining Light parents and family members is that you CAN and will find that you can indeed be at peace again. The timing and severity are different for each of us, even those in the same family. The reasons for our children’s passing are also very different.
In the early days of Wendy and Haley’s passing I would hear others who had also had children pass say, “it will get easier” and/or that “time will soften the grief you feel today”. Although I did not respond out loud to those individuals, my thought at the time was “well, that may have been “your” experience but if you loved your child(ren) as much as I love Wendy and Haley no such softening will ever occur!”
I was VERY wrong. Time does soften the pain as other happy times will be experienced and cushion those early days of extreme sadness and unbearable loss. I have enjoyed seeing my surviving daughter Ronni become a fantastic grandmother and the growing up of my other grandchildren, Chloe, Cameron and Wendy’s son, Patrick. Wendy and Haley (along with my late husband Bill) are always with me. Not only by sending me pennies and other special messages but just feeling their constant presence. My great-granddaughter Everest and “soon to arrive”, great-grandson Forest will know all about Wendy and Haley and their great Grandpy even if they are not physically present.
You are all very fortunate to have found Helping Parents Heal, as no group could be more loving and supportive as this one. I am so thankful that I had the honor of attending the very first
HPH meeting with Elizabeth and Mark many years ago. Their visions for what parents needed to heal from the passing of their children was (and is), miraculous. Also, I could not be more appreciative of Irene, my other fellow Board Members, Caring Listeners and Affiliate Leaders for their devotion to the success of HPH.
~Doryce Norwood, Shining Light Mother and Grandmother
HPH Board Member and Volunteer Legal Counsel
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