How does one honor the loss of a child?
Losing a child is one of the most difficult experiences a person can go through. Remember that it is okay to take your time to heal and that it is normal to experience ups and downs as you navigate this difficult journey.
When the unexpected child loss of Jeff Abbey Maldonado Jr. occurred the disbelief was paramount. As a result, there was a huge void in Jeff’s life that didn’t seem like it could be filled. His son was the focal point of his life.
Jeff, a 19-year-old multi-talented hip hop artist was just leaving a barbershop when the van he was riding in came under fire by a gang member. Jeff also known as the artist J-Def, was killed on 7/25/2009 just before his first public performance. Someone who had so much potential, only to be needlessly stopped before they could show the world. As a result, only the locals got to know his talent.
“I’d give anything not to do this… This is a symbol of somebody who has passed on,” JeffMaldonado said. “The hardest piece I ever had to make was this installation, because I was really never supposed to make this.”
Art can be a powerful and therapeutic way to express and process grief and loss, including the loss of a child. Many people find solace in creating art as a way to express their emotions and honor their loved ones.
There are many different forms of art that can be used to express and cope with the loss of a child. Some examples include:
- Drawing or painting: These mediums allow you to express your emotions and thoughts through visual imagery and color.
- Writing: Journaling, poetry, or creative writing can be a way to express and process your emotions and thoughts about your loss.
- Sculpture or mixed media: Creating three-dimensional artwork can be a way to physically express and work through your grief.
- Photography: Taking or looking at photos of your child can be a way to remember and honor them, and also a way to express your emotions through the images you choose and how you present them.
It is important to remember that there is no right or wrong way to use art to cope with the loss of a child, and what works for one person may not work for another. The most important thing is to find a way to express and cope with your grief that feels authentic and meaningful to you.
The tribute
Jeff Maldonado’s father was a professional artist and wanted to honor the loss of a child. With the help of the National Museum of Mexico he installed a room to honor his son, the J-DEFF Peace Project. After that, he used his artistic talent to share his memories of his son with many of the locals, who loved the boy’s music.
After losing his son, Jeff Maldonado created a memorial for his son. Everyone had to enter and exit the room through the same door. That door symbolized this world and the next world beyond. Above all, it represented the Mexican belief that on November 1st at midnight the deceased children and adults reunite with their relatives and families. The Mexican faith and beliefs are strong in this family. It played a big part in the memorial.
“Day of the Dead is usually a natural progression of the life and death cycle,” Jeff Maldonado remarked. “It’s sort of the honor given to that person after the end of a full life. I wish that my son was able to live a full life, but I could never imagine having to do this.”
“This is an artistic way of dealing with the process of healing and loss, but we’re also trying to work within our own community to change things for the better, which is what he was trying to do.”
Jeff Maldonado created a music message focused on using 80 gold albums. Along with many words and phrases in his son’s songs. So, he felt that sound vibration affects us. The vibration has a positive effect. As a result, he felt that his son J-Def’s music would help the world and community. Change it for the better.
Honoring the loss of a child
In conclusion, Jeff Maldonado explained that creating this room to honor the loss of Jeff was the Hardest Piece He Ever Produced. It dealt with human emotion and human connection. This was not art as he knows it. An example of what made so very difficult for him.
Honoring the loss of
A tribute as art is a way to honor and remember a loved one through the creative expression of art. Tributes can take many forms, such as a painting, sculpture, photograph, or written piece, and can be created by the person grieving or by someone else as a way to honor and remember their loved one.
Tributes can be a powerful way to cope with grief and loss, as they allow the person creating the tribute to express their emotions and memories of their loved one in a creative and meaningful way. They can also serve as a way to honor and remember the person who has passed, and can provide comfort and healing to those who view the tribute.
Video Production: Rocko Productions
Review Written By: M. Cardinal
Date Written: Feb 27th, 2020
Loss of a Child FAQs
How do you deal with the loss of a child?
The only way to survive bereavement is to step away from it occasionally. Take small steps: After the death and loss of a child it is important to break down the future into small increments, an hour or a day, and deal only with one portion at a time. Focus on tasks — feed the cat, do the laundry.
What do you say to the loss of a child?
– Extending our deepest sympathy to you during this time.
– No amount of words can express the pain that you are going through.
– The love and joy that your child brought to us will never be forgotten.
– Your son/daughter was a true inspiration to everyone around him/her.
What happens when a parent loses a child?
The emotional blow associated with child loss can trigger a wide range of psychological and physiological problems including depression, anxiety, cognitive and physical symptoms linked to stress, marital problems, increased risk for suicide, physical pain, and guilt.
Losing a child is one of the most difficult and painful experiences a person can go through. It can be a time of intense grief and emotional turmoil, and it is normal to feel a range of strong emotions, including shock, sadness, anger, guilt, and disbelief.
The grieving process is different for everyone, and there is no right or wrong way to cope with the loss of a child. Some people may find it helpful to talk to a therapist or participate in a support group, while others may find solace in creative expression or finding ways to honor and remember their child.
It is important for parents to take care of themselves during this time and to allow themselves to feel and express their emotions. It can also be helpful to establish a new normal and find ways to continue living their lives, while also finding ways to remember and honor their child.
What percent of parents have lost a child?
Of the roughly 2.5 million Americans who are 90 and older, 7 percent — about 175,000 mourning parents — have lost a child since turning 50.
