Lake Forest family preserves memory of 11-year-old son through ...

Maria Malin tried to grieve the "right way" after her 11-year-old Steven was killed by a freight train as he walked home with a young friend.

[Jim Gault]

I lost my mother 32 years ago in an accident. Everyone tells me to get over it. Why should I? I love my Mother, her death changed my life in so many ways (I was 16 when it happened). I don't want to ever forget her and what happened. It is such a part of who I am...shame on the Shrink class for their one-size-fits-all therapy.

[Maria Malin]

Jim,

Thanks for commenting on the article. I applaud your thoughts on keeping your beloved mom close to you. There are a million positive ways to feel our loved one's presence and only one awful way to shove it underneath the proverbial "rug" of our lives. I choose to see the signs and seek out the symbols rather than focus only on my son's death. It has helped my children move forward in their own lives with strength, and feeling their brother's energy propels them to still feel connected to him. God bless you~

[Maria Malin]

Jim,

I applaud you for keeping your beloved mom close to you. There are a million ways to hold onto the connection of your loved one and only one awful way to shove it under the proverbial "rug" of our lives and tuck it away. I'd rather be out in the world seeking hope, signs and symbols of my son, Steven, rather than focusing only on his death. This simple formula has helped my other children move forward in positive ways in their own lives, feeling the strength and energy still from their brother. God bless you~