StepDads Grieve Too - Remember them on Father's Day

As Mother's Day has now come to pass and Father's Day approaches Dad's are some times the forgotten grievers and stepdad's, well they feel almost nonexistent in their grief. Trust me, I know. My husband Bryan is the stepdad to my son Brian who we lost 16 months ago in an auto accident. So much was focused on my loss, my pain, my grief as if Bryan's loss,pain&grief did not matter because he isn't Brian's "dad" but stepdad. As the women next him these past 16 months I can tell you his loss,pain and grief matters. It matters when he is brought to tears by memories of Brian. It matters when he is holding me up when I fall. It matters when he is overwhelmed with his own grief that nobody else sees but me and it matters when he feels like his feelings are dismissed by others because he is "only" the stepdad. 

Father's Day is a day to remember and honor the men in our lives who have been there raising their children AND for the men who have helped their wives raise their children.  My husband is an amazing dad and was amazing stepdad to Brian. He loves Brian like his own. He misses him, cries for him, wishes our lives still had Brian physically here with us, would trade places with Brian if that meant Brian could still be here with me. He is a Dad. 

This Father's Day please remember the men in your life who have lost a child they love and miss very much. They will be grateful that you did. #doitforbrian