What is the theme in Getting Near to Baby by Audrey Couloumbis?

One major theme in the novel, Getting Near to Baby, is loss. This theme is demonstrated by the loss of a baby, and the many different ways the characters deal with this loss. Noreen goes into a deep depression and immerses herself in painting, Willa takes on the role of mother with Little Sister, and Aunt Patty, who takes the girls, finds herself overprotective.