When asked, I say I have four. But every single time, a fleeting whisp of memory dashes through my mind as my brain says no, "four" is incorrect, you have six.

I lost one very young, and one adult child, but it's not the business of strangers. I don't mind talking about it if necessary, but four" is the answer I'm comfortable with.

Thank you for sharing your perspective.

when asked, I have 4 children. my daughter died, i don't always add that but many times i do.
not only am I still her mother, she's still my daughter. she will always be.

Not sure when I changed, it was a few years ago, but now I say 5. I lost one and have raised a step daughter from a second marriage. I love them all but still miss my son Joshua terribly 29 years later. He will always be with me. I never took him “phishing” enough.

His life changed mine dramatically as I was always too focused on the future not realizing at the time that the future was not guaranteed. I vowed to live every moment and take as much joy as I can from every minute. His death also taught me not to sweat the small stuff.

If you have loved ones ask yourself what regrets would you have if they passed today and then fix those. I learned that lesson the hard way.

She was and still is my only daughter.

I simply said that " I raised two boys". No one has asked further. I seriously don't think I could reply without crying. It's been 3 almost 4 years.