I wanted to add one more thing, but this is very dependent on the family. So even though this was an indescribable blessing and helped my family so much, it could also hurt other people, especially women.
When I lost my third baby, my heart was so broken I could barely get out of bed. Each miscarriage was more devistating than the one before. What helped me more than anything was being able to just sit and hold other people’s babies. I would ask my little ones in heaven to pray for the babies I held and to pray that they would be able to grow up strong, healthy, and close to Jesus always. I am so greatful for all the ladies that allowed me to hold their little ones during that time. Knowing how much it helped me, I decided when I finally had living children, I would never deny a person (with some exceptions of course—use good judgment!) the chance to hold or spend time speaking with my own children. Of course I don’t leave them alone with strangers or let unstable people hold them, but in safe places like Church, I allow them to hold them if they would like to. My kids talk with people in the grocery store if I am with them. Even my very shy children are friendly with others.
Sometimes the best thing to relieve suffering is simple kindness. And loneliness is a form of poverty. Carrying on a conversation with someone is often appreciated more than money, and physical touch is well documented to have healing powers. Hugs, holding children, petting animals, even a simple touch on an arm can make a difference. Smiles are free to give out, it brightens everyone’s mood to see a smiling person, even the one doing the smiling.
