The Bereaved parents Club is one no-one chooses to join.
The death of a child is against the normal order of things. Coping with that is difficult enough when it is the result of an illness and no-one is to blame, as was the case with our sons. Dealing with the death of a loved daughter, sister and friend when it is the result of murder must be so much harder.
I was overseas when Clayton Weatherston was tried. I deliberately avoided the court reports yet still picked up enough of the awful details to sicken me from online news and blogs.
My heart went out to Sophie Elliot’s mother, father, family and friends, as the pain of her murder was compounded by having to listen to the dreadful details of her death and hear the man accused of murdering her besmirch her memory.
Clayton Weatherston was found guilty of her murder and has now been sentenced to life imprisonment with an 18 year non-parole term.
Those who loved Sophie have their own life sentence. They have lost not just what they had with her and what she meant to them, but the hopes and dreams they had for her future as well.
The sentencing will be the end of one chapter of their grief but not the end of their grieving.
May they have the love they need to heal; the knowledge that, in time, it is possible to be happy again; and may they have peace.
Homepaddock 
Ele,
Kind words for the grieving that never disappears. That of the bereaved parent.
Even worse in this situation for the Elliot family and their friends as this villain will never be off the front pages of the news. Unfortunately every time her name is mentioned, the fragile scars will be torn apart.
Like yourself, the loss of a child is one life experience I never wish to repeat.
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PM – so sorry to learn you too are a member of the club.
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Deepest sympathy to members of this club that I agree none would wish to to join. To bury a child must be about the most devastating emotional trauma to be faced whatever the cause. A number will be unavoidable as where there is life then death is only a millimeter or a rogue gene away and in my volunteer work I have to confront it. In spite of the memories that will recur, brought about by anniversary, a similar incident or other trigger I can only hope that the indomitable human spirit will continue to prevail as that ability to accept and go on is so strong. I do not have the close connection to this mystery of the path of life but I do sincerely offer my thoughts and sympathy
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