Memories...

On October 2, 2010 Brad and I participated in the Walk to Remember that was hosted by a local hospital. The walk was held for families who have lost a child to miscarriage, stillbirth, and early infant death. I learned about the walk from the support group I have been attending, and had heard wonderful things about it. With mixed emotions, Brad and I went not knowing what to expect. What we found and experienced that day was truly amazing. Hundreds of families had gathered to participate in the walk and memorial service that honored our lost little ones. As it happened, it was the 25th walk the hospital had sponsored, and the last walk the grievance coordinator would plan- as she is retiring this year. A friend told me that in 25 yrs it had never rained and had always had perfect weather...but that morning the weather was cold and rainy. I was disappointed- the rain and cold made the walk uncomfortable and put a damper on the memorial service that followed- or so I thought. As the grievance counselor started the memorial service she talked about the weather...she said she had dreamed and planned for so long to make this walk special, as it would be her last one. She said she was disappointed when she had woken to see the rain, but as she drove to the hospital where the walk was hosted, she said God reminded her that sometimes things don't go according to our plan, but to have faith in His plan. Like our own planning, excitement, and anticipation with our pregnancies and hopes for children, things didn't turn out how we wanted or expected...it had rained in our lives. Suddenly the rain seemed perfect and the memorial couldn't have been more wonderful. A program was given to each family that listed all the lost little ones- seeing the hundreds of names listed was a bittersweet reminder that we are not alone, even though it may feel like it at times. I was able to take refuge in seeing all the women and families who were there remembering their little ones, and my heart swelled as they read each name. During the ceremony they released three doves- one to remember the past, one for our present, and one to remind of us of what we have to look forward to. We will see our children again, but next time will be for forever in a perfect place. Each family was given a balloon to release- some families had written notes, names, and dates on their balloons- but all were to be released and sent upward to heaven. (I am typically opposed to balloon releases for environmental reasons, but we each took one anyways, and am so thankful we did.) As the balloons were released in a rain-filled sky, my tears fell with the same intensity as the rain. It was such a beautiful sight- hundreds of balloons going upward, sent with love in memory of our children. I couldn't help but wonder if all the children were looking down on us from heaven, is it possible the rain could have been their tears? I was saddened at the loss of Bristol, and all that we would miss with her, but I was also filled with peace in knowing all is as it should be. She is in heaven and one day I will see her again and hold her in my arms...and that is enough to keep me going.

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As we approach the anniversary of Bristol's birth, Brad and I discussed how we were going to celebrate/remember Bristol. We didn't want the birth of a new baby to overshadow her day- a day that is forever implanted on our hearts. For this pregnancy, we were able to receive a doppler from Tiny Heartbeats...a non-profit organization that provides fetal monitors from women who have experienced a loss after 12 weeks. I learned from the founder that the organization only had about 50 monitors, thus many women were placed on a waiting list before receiving a doppler. Anyone who has experienced a subsequent pregnancy following a loss, knows how reassuring being able to hear the baby's heartbeat can be. We decided that we would raise money to donate to Tiny Heartbeats in honor of Bristol- so that other women and families could benefit from the same reassurance we have received during this pregnancy. We sent letters to family and friends asking for donations- and were overwhelmingly blessed to raise $1000.00 in donations! Our hearts were bursting with gratefulness and excitement as we sent the donations to Tiny Heartbeats. The founder was overwhelmed by our donation- and incredibly thankful for the impact it would have on her organization. She has sent me emails from women who have received a 'Bristol doppler' - and it is a sweet reminder of how her short life will forever impact other women and families who have experienced a loss. She is working on a tribute to Bristol on the organization's website- and we are excited to know that Bristol will be remembered in a special way- not only by our friends and families, but by others who will receive one of her dopplers.

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I remember the night we came from the hospital. Bristol had been born just a few hours before and the shock of the loss had yet to set in. One of the first things I did was collect every baby book, item, and ultrasound picture and hide it away in my hope chest. I knew the following days were going to be hard and I didn't want any extra reminders sitting around the house. Up until recently, all baby items have continued to be stored away in the hope chest and out of sight. But as we have received gifts and had baby showers- baby items have overflowed from the hope chest and closet. Having baby items in sight has been huge adjustment for me...a reminder that we are getting closer to the birth of this baby, but also a reminder of what can happen. We have procrastinated getting a nursery ready for this baby- looking back on Bristol, it was a blessing we didn't have more baby items or a nursery to come home to- but we are only a few weeks from his arrival, and as much as I want to be "prepared", I also don't want to come home to a heartache if something were to happen. It's a double edged sword. We have been blessed to have family and friends help us get ready in these last few weeks. I am sure for "normal" pregnancies, preparing the nursery, washing the clothes, etc are exciting moments that are cherished by the soon-to-be parents. But I find myself procrastinating and ignoring what needs to be done. I can't seem to 'believe' we're going to have a baby until he's in my arms...and probably won't fully relax until I see he's safely here. Thankfully, friends and family have stepped in and done the things I have been incredibly hesitant to do- put the crib together, get baby items out of the boxes and put together, wash and sort clothes, put the car seat base in the car, and prepare a diaper bag and overnight bag. It's weird seeing baby stuff in our house- and seeing things that were purchased when we were pregnant with Bristol. Yet another reminder of the incredible journey we've been on to being parents. It's a hard balance of being sad about Bristol and excited about Brody, but God has whispered in my heart an awesome reminder: Children are a gift from God. Psalms 127:3  And I tell myself, this is true even if we get to keep them with us here on earth, or they spend their lives in eternity.
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One of the things I was unprepared for was returning to the hospital where Bristol was born. A family member had her baby this week at the same hospital where we delivered Bristol, and I had planned on visiting them the day she was born. I have heard from others that returning to the same hospital/dr office where you had your loss is very hard, and often people change facilities because of it. I convinced myself I would be ok (ignoring the little voice in the back of my head asking, "are you sure?") - this wasn't my baby after all! And I was happy and excited to meet the new family member. I finished my meetings for the day and drove to the hospital. I got parked and then anxiety/emotion set in. I couldn't get out of the car- I was crying and trying to sort through the plethora of emotions. What if I see our nurse or doctor? What if she's in the same delivery room? What if I see a leaf on the door? (this is what the hospital used to mark rooms for those who had lost their babies.) All the memories of our labor, delivery, and leaving the hospital empty handed swept over me, taking me by complete surprise. This was a time to be happy, not sad...and I decided it was best to not go in- I needed to pull myself together! I didn't want to be upset in the hospital- this was a time of celebration and joy- and I didn't want to take away from it. As I drove home, I was surprised at how overwhelmed I became at just being at the hospital. I felt like all the "progress" I had made the last few months, suddenly disappeared and I was just as grief stricken as I was in the beginning. Maybe I needed more time- it hasn't been that long since Bristol was born. Maybe time would help heal those memories and the anxiety of returning to "that" place. Or maybe, I needed to spend more time in prayer for peace about Bristol...or maybe this is just part of the journey. There is nothing "normal" about going through a loss- it changes every subsequent action and feeling, and there isn't a guide to help walk you through it. A friend who suffered a loss told me once that, one can not truly heal without the power and love of Christ to help us heal- he is the ultimate healer. It's kind of amazing to think about- how did I ever survive what some consider to be one of the greatest losses? How have I been able to find peace in losing Bristol and see some of the blessings that have come from her life? I know I didn't do it on my own, I am not that strong! An excerpt from one of the books I have read has helped me find some peace:  "God has a unique plan and purpose for every child conceived. We may not fully understand His plan. We may not be able to comprehend God's purposes. But we can know with faith that our perfect God does not err. He does not allow a conception that is beyond His sovereign plan and purposes." I know I'm a work in progress, but I am learning to be able to remember Bristol and our loss, with some form of hope and peace.