A Life Remembered: A Mother’s Story of Love, Loss, and Unending Grief

Author: Sofia Pantazi, February 16, 2024 | Source: Anonymous

“When I saw his little eyes remained closed, I realized he was no longer with us.”

Anna de Vries (88) lost her newborn son Mark to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) when she was 36. Her baby lived only one month.

Anna de Vries (88), holding her deceased’s son baby bottle, decorated with flowers.

Pregnancy: The Most Beautiful Gift

By the age of 36, Anna de Vries was already a mother of three—two sons and a daughter. She became pregnant again with a baby boy, whom she would later name Mark. He would become the youngest member of the family. She proudly shared the news of her pregnancy with everyone and could hardly wait to hold her newborn in her arms.

“I was so happy to be pregnant one more time. In my eyes, pregnancy is one of the most beautiful gifts. I am still very grateful to have become a mother of four.”

Birth

On September 1, 1973, the family welcomed a healthy baby boy. Anna’s son, Ron, still remembers the moment clearly:

“I was so proud to have another little brother. I had already made plans for what I would teach him when he got older—playing football, having fun, everything.”

Her daughter Marga, who was only 4 years old at the time, also recalls the pride and excitement of becoming a big sister:

“Finally, I was the older sister for once. With two brothers in the house, I always felt a bit overshadowed. Not because they teased me, but simply because I was the youngest.”

Loss

On October 3, 1973, tragedy struck the family. Mark died of SIDS after just one month. Anna was the one who found him.

“I remember it like it was yesterday. I walked upstairs to get him from his crib. I had a bad feeling that day. I already thought it was strange that I hadn’t heard him cry—not a single sound. When I entered the room and got closer to the crib, my whole world collapsed. I tried to wake him, but it was too late. When I saw his little eyes stayed shut, I knew he was gone. I immediately called my husband and sons, screaming in panic for them to come home. I sent my daughter to my sister-in-law—she was too young to understand.”

Five days later, Mark was buried.

Grief

Anna still feels deep sorrow when she thinks of that day.

“When you lose a child, you never truly recover. That thought, that image, it stays with you forever. You can move on and have many beautiful years in life, but it never leaves your mind. So many years have passed, yet I still think of him every day. On his birthday I smile, and on the day he died, I cry. On that day, I prefer to be alone. I love him, and I hope that when my time comes, I’ll meet him and my husband first.”