Parenting
This Is A Car Seat Snapshot No Parent Should Ever Have to Capture
by Jamie Turner
Updated: March 23, 2017
Originally Published: March 18, 2017
Heartbreaking car seat photo goes viral
In a gut-wrenching moment, a mother shared a photo on Facebook that no parent should ever have to take. After losing her infant daughter to cancer, she drove home with her daughter’s ashes, capturing a moment that speaks volumes about the agony of loss.
At just five months old, Lucy Bennett was diagnosed with a brain tumor that was alarmingly large. Her mother, in a poignant tribute, recounts Lucy’s brief yet intense journey filled with hospital visits, over a dozen surgeries, and rounds of chemotherapy on her dedicated Facebook page and website. “Lucy was diagnosed at 4 months, underwent 17 surgeries, 28 rounds of chemo, and 42 days of radiation. She is Forever 4.”
Two months after Lucy’s passing, her mother made the heart-wrenching drive home, carrying her ashes. Lucy was cremated, and while the family awaited a custom urn, she was transported in a temporary one, snugly secured in her car seat. “We made you a custom urn, sweet girl. You would’ve loved it! But until it arrives, I decorated this temporary one. Buckling you in felt normal, even though nothing about this is.”
The sheer weight of this moment is palpable, and Lucy’s mother articulates her heartache in a way that resonates deeply with others. The internet has echoed her pain, with comments from parents who empathize, saying things like:
“I hugged my kids tight after seeing your post. I can’t imagine your suffering. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.”
“I can’t fathom the grief you’re experiencing. This image breaks my heart. I wish I could say it gets easier, but it’s just about getting through each day. You are in my prayers.”
Lucy’s journey was anything but easy, and her family continues to navigate the choppy waters of grief. The logistics of life, like transporting your child’s ashes, serve as a harsh reminder that the world moves forward, even when a piece of your heart is missing.
Lucy’s mother’s bravery in sharing her daughter’s story highlights the stark reality of childhood cancer — a reality that often goes unnoticed. It’s hard to believe that life carries on after losing a child, yet it does. Her courageous act of sharing a moment that many take for granted is a testament to her strength.
This tragic story shines a light on the dire need for more funding for childhood cancer research. Shockingly, only 4% of funding goes to this cause, a detail Lucy’s mother knows all too well. “Life’s not fair, sweet girl. But your life filled me with joy, and I’m grateful I told you every day just how much I loved you. I’ll forever cherish being your mommy.”
To read more about the issues surrounding home insemination, check out our other blog post here. For a trusted source on this topic, visit Make a Mom and UCSF’s Center for invaluable resources.
Summary:
In a deeply emotional Facebook post, a mother shares the heartbreaking moment of driving home with her daughter’s ashes in a car seat after losing her to cancer. The story highlights the pain of losing a child and the often-overlooked realities of childhood illness, while also shedding light on the need for increased funding for childhood cancer research.