Claiming Our Grief
In One Minute Moments
Some days a few moments are all we have to honor our loved one
#LiveLikeSandro
finding light and love through grief
This mother's journey
On April 7, 2017 I lost my son, my only child, Sandro. In that moment I felt like I lost everything. Looking back over these many years, I’m proud of the steps I have taken on my path of healthy healing. The work I’ve done has brought me tremendous personal growth and shared experiences I may not have otherwise had. But I think the reason for this personal growth is because I refused to keep my grief locked away in a dark part of my heart. Instead, I kicked the door open, shining a supernatural light on it. That light is my son Sandro. I allowed myself to open-up to his frequency and recognize that he is placing people and experiences on my path of healthy healing. It makes sense. Sandro had A LOT to say when he was alive, why would that change just because he’s no longer here?
The goal of my journey and what lies at its core is simple:
IN ALL THINGS I HONOR MY SON SANDRO
Honoring Sandro is what pushes me out of bed every morning. It’s what keeps me moving forward, helping to fill the gaping hole in my heart from Sandro’s absence. Honoring my son helps me focus on his friends, making sure they carry zero guilt with them through the rest of their lives. When I honor Sandro, it opens me up to receive light and love into my life and provides me with the strength to pour that light and love back out to the world. It allows me to share, with everyone I encounter, my son’s amazing spirit, and the qualities that make him such a special person. As his mother, it is my responsibility to keep his amazing spirit alive.
Taking these smalls steps daily is what inspired One Minute Griever. For me, it is not a daily ritual but instead, it’s recognizing that there are small moments throughout my day to be true to my heart and honor my son, from painting my toe nails his favorite blue to sharing a meal with his friends.
Once you’ve spent some time learning about my son, seeing pictures of the many ways he’s been honored, reading my blog, and recognizing that vulnerability encourages personal growth…. all this can help to create a personal path of healthy healing and understanding that it is truly never too late to honor a loved one. If you come away having gained some tools that will positively affect your life, then I’ve done a good service to my son today.
I invite you to share your own personal journey with me. Perhaps you’re at a roadblock and unsure how to move forward. Or maybe you can’t seem to find the path that honors your true spirit. What if you just find something powerful about my journey that inspires you to reach out and make a connection with me? I encourage you to contact me and together we can find a way forward.
#LiveLikeSandro
Sandro Around the World
It all started with the picture you see before you. During a stroll on Satellite Beach in Florida in June of 2017, my cousin Breanna Tanner wrote Sandro's name in the sand to honor him while he was in her thoughts. To date, we have 350+ instances of Sandro's name written all over the world. What a pure, heartfelt way to connect us all to my son and his amazing spirit. Click on "Sandro Around The World Photos" to see them all.
About Us
SANDRO KOA McILROY
SANDRO KOA McILROY
SANDRO KOA McILROY
Sandro Koa McIlroy was born Monday, March 26, 2001. He left us much too soon on Friday, April 7, 2017 from a skateboarding accident. Sandro had just turned 16 years old. Sandro was always happy. He was a smiling, inquisitive and funny baby. He was a rambunctious, mischievous and loving toddler and young boy. He laughed easily throughout his life, even during his rebellious times. He was perfectly imperfect and unlike anyone else. He was a young man who loved people and was fiercely loyal. I'm so proud that he was fiercely loved in return by so many. I miss him every second and will miss him every second of every day forever.
APRIL McILROY
SANDRO KOA McILROY
SANDRO KOA McILROY
I'm not an expert. I have no formal training. I'm just a mom who lost the love of my life, my only child, SANDRO. In all things I honor my beautiful son. My path has led me to search for light and love through my grief. Living with grief is often difficult. However, if I keep Sandro in my heart and remember that with every step I take, Sandro is with me, I survive and potentially one day, will thrive. I dedicate this website to my open and honest healing process. I share my successes and failures with you all, in one minute moments because sometimes a few moments are all we have in a busy day to honor our journey.