National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

Today is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Did you know that 1 in 4 women experience miscarriage, stillbirth, or an infant loss? This is often a taboo subject and those that experience loss are expected to move on, or not discuss their pain. Today I say a prayer for all of the families that have experienced this loss and remember all of the little lives that have gone on to Heaven so soon.

Today I'm remembering our babies Naomi Faith, Kyria Hope, and Jordan Gabriel.  Feel free to add your babies' names to the comments below.

Memorial Highlight - To Write Their Names in the Sand

I want to let you know about a special memorial for babies in heaven called "To Write Their Names in the Sand" at http://www.namesinthesand.blogspot.com/.  The website states, "To Write Their Names In The Sand is a memorial site for children. It was founded on August 19th 2008, 19 months after [Sam and Carly Dudley's] son Christian was stillborn.  Since August 2008 we have written over 8040 childrens names in the sand." 

The way the website works is that every few weeks or so, they open their page for name requests.  Parents can submit names of their babies in heaven, and Carly will write the name in the sand at a beach not far from their home in Australia, and will then take a picture of it and post it on their website along with the child's name and any other information the family wants written.  All of this is free.  You can also purchase a high resolution .jpg file for $20 (Australian dollars).

It looks like the next time they will take name requests will be around Friday, October 23.  Carly has a number of other projects aimed at supporting parents of babies in heaven on their grief journey, including a line of sympathy cards specifically for parents who have lost a baby.  It's a beautiful site and a lovely way to create a memorial to your children.  We have two of our babies' names written there, and it made me cry happy tears to see my children's names for everyone to see.  Hope you find this encouraging!

A month for us to remember

It seems like every cause out there has its own month these days.  Take October, for instance.  October is the Awareness Month for Breast Cancer, Down Syndrome, Domestic Violence, AIDS, Hispanic Heritage, Jazz, Child Abuse, and Cyber Security, among others.  But this is also our month, for parents of babies in heaven.  October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.  It was so named by President Reagan in 1988, and since 2001, both Congress and State governors have regularly recognized October 15 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.  The official "ribbon" for PAIL Awareness Month is pink on one side and blue on the other.  October 15th is often marked with remembrance walks, memorial services, and candlelighting in memory of the babies who left this earth far too soon.  You can find out information about activities in your area at http://www.october15th.com/.  If you live in Columbia, come to the Heart and Hands Forever Memorial Walk at Riverfront Park this Sunday.  If there are no events near you, consider having your own candlelight ceremony, as a couple, or with friends and family, and know that thousands of other parents are lighting candles and remembering their babies with you.  You are not alone!