I struggled with whether to write this, but I wanted to let my friends, coworkers, and peers know what has been going on in my life.
On December 26, I gave birth to my son, Dante Antonio Aguad, and had to say goodbye to him when he passed away twelve hours later.
I had complications early in the pregnancy, and I spent weeks working from the hospital. I had hoped I wouldn’t have to say goodbye to him, and my love for him was beyond words.
I have always tried to be a conscientious and engaged person, and I wanted to post to explain why I may need your compassion in the future.
I am not looking for sympathy so much as understanding, since I have not been fully present at work, in my volunteering, or online. I am looking forward to returning soon, but I know I will need grace as I adjust.
If you are someone I work or volunteer with, I know you are kind people who will want to express how you care.
Please do your best to not bring up my loss in a meeting or on a call. While I do appreciate your sympathy, hearing those words often causes me to be overwhelmed with grief making it hard to work.
Please do feel free to email or message me. I read all of the thoughtful messages even if I don’t always have the emotional strength to respond to them.
Know that I am doing my best. This kind of grief changes you, and I know that in this early stage I am still working to find a new normal.
My son Dante was dearly loved, and the loss is profound.
Bethany Aguad 