Thursday, September 30, 2010

Faces of Loss, Faces of Hope

When I was pregnant with Lily, I joined a few online groups for babies due in August 2010.  I was lucky enough to "meet" a sweet girl, Kristin whose due date was the day after mine.

When we were 26 weeks pregnant with our daughters, Kristin's baby died.  She continues her story still, just as she began writing it when she was pregnant...in letters to her baby:  http://dearbabycook.blogspot.com/ 

This brave young woman shares her story so honestly and authentically. It is heartbreaking and beautiful because it is so very raw.

In her grieving, she began a "movement", if you will, called "Faces of Loss, Faces of Hope" to put a face on the loss of babies.  There are so many women who have endured the loss of a baby and for as lonely as it felt after our miscarriage, this website offers connection and comfort...and hope.

I have been reading and crying through so many stories over the last several months and have found comfort in not being the only "face" grieving a lost baby.

After Lily was born, my husband said, "I wonder if our first baby was a boy or a girl."  Postpartum and all, I sobbed wondering the same thing.

A few nights ago, I overheard him talking with Lily and he said, "I'm glad you're exactly you." 

I didn't interrupt. 

It brought tears to my eyes knowing how much we both love our baby we lost, yet everything happened exactly as it was supposed to have happened.

We have Lily...and cannot IMAGINE life without her.

After overhearing George talking with Lily, I decided to share our story on the Faces of Loss site, as well.

http://www.facesofloss.com/2010/09/stephanie-angel-baby-july-2nd-20009.html#more

**edited to add....I'm doing just fine...so blessed. ♥  I just wanted to bring to light this amazing website and how much I admire Kristin for her own blog and her ability to create such a place for women to connect. ♥
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6 comments:

  1. I am going to have to check out that site.

    I had 2 early miscarriages before being blessed with my 2 kiddo's. I can't even imagine losing one that far along.

    And how sweet of your hubby telling Lily how important she is!

    ((hugs))

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  2. That site is amazing, and Kristin's blog is amazing too. I read both of them regularly.

    I wonder all the time, too, what the genders were of my first three babies. It's a hard thing to have to wonder about.

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  3. 6 months before we got pregnant with Fionn we had a miscarriage. We both took it hard, and my husband STILL has a hard time with what happened. Not that I don't, I do, BUT I could put it in it's place and understand as much as it sucked, I wouldn't have Fionn AND our other baby.
    October is National Infant Loss month, and what a beautiful way to kick of the month. I have met SO many families in my work with NILMDTS over the last two years who have touched my heart.
    praying for you, and your friend as you remember your beautiful babies!!

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  4. I try to always remember how blessed I am I have a very close high school friend who lst her daughter at 2 months old and sometimes I feel so guilty telling her about Tyler it is hard I can't imagine the pain ...There are plenty of little ones who are born at 26 weeks who make it so I am very sad for this woman as this has to be a heart wrenching and painful thing to write about ...

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