How One Family Found Hope After Loss: Aakash, Arnav, and Veer’s Story
Every day, children, teens, and their families walk through the doors of The Children’s Room carrying grief that no one should ever have to experience: the death of a parent or sibling.
In 2018, the unimaginable happened. Aakash’s wife, Sachi, died after being hit by a vehicle in the crosswalk just outside their home while walking to work. Their sons, Arnav and Veer, who were just eight and four years old at the time, lost their mother, and Aakash lost his partner in parenting and life.
“In those first months, everything was a blur,” Aakash remembers. “I couldn’t even tell you how I got the boys to school, but I knew I needed to help them process their grief.”
When he didn’t know where to turn, friends and family directed Aakash to The Children’s Room. Aakash quickly joined a group for parents like him who had lost a spouse, while Arnav and Veer joined groups with other children their own ages. For the first time, they were surrounded by people who truly understood.
Veer remembers, “I told someone in my kindergarten class that my mom passed away, and they didn’t really know what that meant, so they started laughing. I didn’t know why. I just asked them to stop.” But at The Children’s Room, Veer could talk openly with other children who knew and understood what he was going through.
His older brother Arnav agrees, “At The Children’s Room, I could open up in a way I wouldn’t have with other friends.” The Children’s Room creates a safe and supportive space for children, teens, parents, and caregivers to process their emotions, connect with others who share similar experiences, and find hope for the future.
Over time, the Patels began making new memories as a family while keeping Sachi emotionally and physically with them. On their first vacation after Sachi died, Veer told Aakash he didn’t want to spend even a day without his Mumma there.
“Papa, we need to bring her picture with us so Mumma can come experience it too!” They took the framed picture of Sachi off the wall in their home, packed it in their suitcase, and placed it on the shelf in their hotel room in Aruba.
This simple practice was a turning point. It represented how The Children’s Room helped them keep their family together and helped them remember Sachi even after she died.
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This December, we’re sharing the Patels’ story to help more families in the coming year. Will you make a meaningful gift today to help families like Aakash, Arnav, and Veer find support, community, and hope?
