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Thank you Tina at Living without Sophia and Ellie for hosting this wonderful event.
NOTE: These giveaways are open to all babylost mamas. If you didn't sign up to host a giveaway we still want you to participate and try to win some of these GREAT items. We want to spread happiness to everyone, not just those who are hosting a day!
I didn't find out about these wonderful giveaways until after all the days were filled up but Tina still let me participate so here is my day!! (My day is the 22nd-posting early for those living in other time zones.)
I don't think it would surprise some of you for me to say that I love helping others. It makes me happy to be able to do something for somebody else. The desire to help others has only increased since my Carleigh left me back in March.
One of the first acts of kindness shown to me after Carleigh's birth was from Sue at My Forever Child. It was the evening of Carleigh's first visitation. My pastor came and gave me a package. It was very puzzling because I wasn't expecting anything and I had no clue what it was. I opened up the package to discover a beautiful bracelet that had Carleigh's name and birth date engraved on one side and her footprints on the other. I was absolutely astonished that someone I never even knew would do something so nice for me. I didn't even know Sue was following us but our story touched her and she decided to send not only the bracelet for me but pins for my entire family to wear. Just like I wear my bracelet, my family still wears those pins.
Since then Sue and I have become quite acquainted and I have given away quite a few pieces of her jewelry and other remembrance items as well as having bought some for myself. I love having these reminders that I can either see or wear. It's nice when someone asks about your jewelry because then you have an opportunity to talk about your baby.
So, for my day I would like to give away items from My Forever Child.
The first piece is the Fertility-Pregnancy Charm Necklace. This necklace has several charms that hold a special meaning. A charm with the word 'Baby' is a visual reminder of your motherhood intentions, Our Heart Swirl with Moonstone gemstone charm promotes love, genuine rose quartz promotes the healing of broken hearts and increases the reception of love, and genuine blue chalcedony decreases negativity and depression and increases sleep and tranquility.
The second piece is a Forget-Me-Not beaded bookmark. This bookmark has art glass beads that are strung onto color coordinated waxed Irish linen cord with silver toned spacer beads and charms.
The third piece is the Healing Heart Charm Necklace. This necklace has several charms that hold a special meaning. A 'Heal' charm is a reminder to take care of your emotional and physical well being, genuine rose quartz promotes the healing of broken hearts and increases the reception of love, genuine amethyst heart is for remembrance of your loved ones, and a small heart charm is to symbolize the healing heart.
To enter this giveaway just leave me a comment and tell me of an act of kindness that someone did for you when you were hurting.
55 comments:
I love my jewelry from My Forever Child- it's so beautiful!
wow Holly, I had no idea about this. What a nice surprise! I just want you to know that you've been a real blessing in my life. Reading about your journey has helped to further my own healing. I appreciate how you are able to be so open and honest with all that you are going through. I believe it helps to bring awareness to the painful reality of child loss that is too often kept quiet. I also love all your keepsakes and memorials, so many beautiful things that weren't available when I lost Matthew 7 years ago. Your story has also led me to starting a new relationship with God, and I think that is the best gift of all. Lots of love, Sue
My best friend came to the hospital when Nate went code blue. She stayed with my kids in the waiting room and held them after we told them that their brother died. She followed us home and then pretty much moved into our house for a week. She bought clothes for all 6 of us to wear to the funeral. She was just there. When other people ran away...she ran toward us. I was so lucky to have her. I don't know what I would have done. She was the only person that didn't abandon us.
Hugs,
Trisha
Holly,
First, don't let me win. I've already won a few times. :) Plus, I already have a beautiful necklace that I purchased from MFC. It has Ella's footprints on it with her name and a butterfly engraved on the back. I cherish it so much. So many lovely bloggers have helped me when I was hurting. Just recently, I was blessed by your generosity. Emalee, Kenner's mom also wrote Ella's name in the snow this week. This evening, George's mom, Karen sent me a beautiful email sharing her struggles with her own mother. I could go on and on. I wish I could scoop all of you up and turn you into real life friends.
So many people did kind things for us.. One of the biggest was that the cardiac care coordinator recommended our family be adopted for Christmas last year.. The child life unit at the hospital adopted us themselves and were SO generous! My kids had an AMAZING Christmas. But we were really blessed in that lots of people were there for us.. Even now, a few people take the time to remember.. My youngest sister made a set of Christmas ornaments for us and made one for Seth.. Blessings surround us!
the list of things that people have done for me after i lost my baby was a long one... but I will chose this one.. I am a member of a national group website of policewives, but i hadnt gone to the site in a long time. there were a few girls from the site who still knew me from facebook... so word got out. they sent me not one, but THREE gifts, including a beautiful plaque with a message about losing a loved one. every year, they send out a list that you can add your name to get and give christmas cards. i didnt put my name on the list this year.. but im still receiving the cards. they must have added my name so that people could write to me, even though im not writing to them. i thought that was very kind..i am getting messages of support from people i dont even know.
thanks for adding an extra day to the giveaways.
The first random act of kindness for me was when I started this blog. When Bree from My baby butterfly Ella left me a comment telling me about Jasper's butterfly. There where/are no words to express just how happy I was for someone to acknowledge my angel in such a way.
I just love everything from My Forever Child! There have been so many acts of kindness, but one important one was after we came home from the hospital without our babies we felt so alone. Share Southern Vermont contacted us to tell us they were there to guide and help us and that we were not alone. They have been a great outlet to my husband and I.
These are beautiful. When I was in the hospital for Madelyn to be monitored I was overwhelmed by the number of people who would bring me things to occupy myself with. I couldn't get out of bed, so people brought me books, scrapbooking supplies, yarn, movies, and more. These came from people I never would have expected. People I had only talked to once or twice in my life. People who simply cared. After my loss, one of the kindest things someone did was brought us dinner. It was unexpected, but it meant so much. Which reminds me, I still have a dish to return!
Wow holly, these items are all so beautiful, and what a surprise that the 25 days of giveaways continues!
When we were in the hospital with Peyton, the only chair close enough to her crib with a hard wooden rocker. Peyton was connected to so many tubes and IV's that it wasn't until she was in my arms dying, that I was able to hold my child, untethered. After days of sitting on these hard chairs, the social worker, Mary, who was an angel here on earth, somehow found a lazyboy recliner that she brought to our room. It made everything more comfortable, we could hold Peyton there for hours, and nap in the chair. It felt a little like home. This act of kindness meant so much to us, in bringing some semblance of normalcy, to this clinical and uncomfortable setting.
When Peyton died, Mary the social worker, came to her funeral. She brought with her a lock of Peyton's hair, as well as cast hand and footprints. These are items we will cherish forever.
sorry this note got so long, just thinking of Mary, and all she has done for us, brings back so many memores.
The most important things for me have been the people IRL who send me messages on Vincent's due date - mainly one awesome lady... ok 2 awesome ladies.
Also, this blog community - having people reference Vincent by name and acknowledge him makes me so very happy.
What beautiful jewelry!
The people that touched my heart the most were the ones that brought gifts for my 2 yr old little boy. He could have so easily gotten lost in our grief.
Wow awesome. I really want to order a necklace with Cadynces foot prints at some point. My work gave me time off with pay even though I did not have enough PTO time, the comped me which not many places would do. And all of the other BLM that have reached out to me have helped me tremendously just by saying hi, its going to be ok or thinking of you. And the nurses in the hospital when we lost her were so compassionate I couldnt have asked for better care.
Oh my gosh! Those necklaces and the bookmark are awesome!
I have one offline friend who always seems to be there for me when I need it the most. It's almost like the can sense that I'm struggling and she always calls at just the right time. The other day when I was so upset over not getting Freja's tree to her on the day I wanted to do it, my friend unexpectedly showed up at my door and gave me a beautiful handmade journal. She is also the only person (offline) who ever remembers and thinks to call me on all those special 'anniversary' dates.
This is the first of Tina's giveaways I've entered, but I do so not for myself. A special friend (Jennifer over at the Blue Sparrow) sent me a special gift to remind me of Wyatt during the holiday and it meant so much to me! Now she's miscarrying her second baby. I would love to win one of these items for her. I can't imagine how much her heart is hurting right now. I just can't wrap my mind around why such horrible things happen to such wonderful people.
Beautiful jewelry...you have a beautiful heart!
I have been blessed with precious people that have loved on me during my loss. Last week someone left a candle and a card with Rebekah's mommy on the outside of the envelope. That touched me so because I was really feeling lonely at that same exact moment.
Holly, thank you for the giveaway and for what you do for so many others as well. Among the many things that people did for us and the many ways that they showed their love and support, one act of kindness that really touched my heart came from one of my close friend's parents. About a month after Dylan's death, they offered us a trip to their beach house. The trip was incredibly thoughtful from them and incredibly healing for us.
Kat
I almost feel bad for entering, but these items are so thoughtful that I can't help it :-). The most thoughtful act of kindness was from my friend Monica. On Alyssa-Joy's angelversary, she called to say she was thinking of me. Dinner was sent over so I did not have to worry about what to make, and text messages were sent throughout the day to see how I was doing. It does not seem like much, but to me it reminded me that I am not in this walk alone, that I have supportive people in my life that remembers my babies with me.
Beautiful giveaway. I love her work.
Holly,
You are such a Blessing to so many!
I have had a few people who have been so very sweet to me. One person that has been very special to me is one of the receptionists at my OB's office.
It is a very large office and there are a lot of people who work there and there are a lot of people who come in and out of there. She was always very kind to me, but after losing Faith she would hug me and encourage me. She eventually shared with me that she had a stillborn baby several years before.
This is an obvious situation where experiencing loss helps you to be caring and commpassionate to others.I pray that I can do the same for others!
Blessings,
Karen
What a nice gift(s)! :-) I have been trying to do things for others, as it really helps my healing. I take pictures of babies names in the sky... I write them on glass and photograph them. Lately, with it getting dark before I get home from work, I have not been able to take them... but I am trying! I also paint for other mother's as well.
As Sue will tell you, I love my pieces from her collection! I wear my son's footprints everyday. I have a dear friend who is giving birth to a baby boy near the day she lost one of her twins (a boy) 6 years ago. This would make a very special gift to her. Thank you for your wonderful blog.
sorry, that cut me off...
I was going to say that the other families wiht CDH babies at the NICU sent flowers to Max's funeral.
I have also been sent other little things from my CDH family... and a few others.
I too LOVE Sue's work, I have bought pieces for myself and for a girlfriend! I actually found out about her from a nurse in the NICU where my Elliot died. She had a stillborn son and wrote me a lovely note with information on myforeverchild.com and also about october15.com. She gave this note to me and a HUGE hug before we left the hospital that day. This was the very first of MANY random acts of kindness from someone after Elliot passed.
What beautiful jewelry! I have one special friend that remembers my angel Riley's birthday every year with a special card or gift. It's been 4 years and she lets me know that he's still in her heart!
So many people reached out to me when we lost our son Chase last year. My sister immediately got in her car and drove 3hrs to be with me when my husband called and told her I'd gone into labor (I was only 19wks). She stayed with me at the hospital so my husband could be with our other children. She has been such a source of strength for me since his death. I think the biggest thing though is that she isn't afraid to talk about him. That means the world to me.
My husband and I, after 10 years of infertility, finally conceived in March of this year only to miscarriage at 7 weeks. It was devistating, but my friend Brandy was there for me. She too has suffered overwhelming issues w/ infertility, but had a beautiful baby girl last year. She helped me cope, let me cry when I needed to, and always knew the right thing to say. Even now, 8 months later, when I am still grieving, she still lends her support, no questions asked. That is a true act of selfless kindness. It eases my heartache some that at least God gets to hold my little miracle in his arms this Christmas. God bless and baby dust to all.
Thank-you so much for sharing your journey. The keepsakes are beautiful. One of the things that sticks in my mind when our daughter had passed at birth was that one of our good friends thought outside the box and had went above and beyond the call for us as one of our children was still in diapers and she went to the grocery store and bought a few months supplies of diapers and wipes for him so that we didn't have to face the "baby section" for a few months... some thought it was odd that she showed up with a few boxes of diapers and wipes but I can't even begin to say how much it helped not having to face that dept. on a weekly basis when I knew just thinking of that area of the store would bring me to tears. Thanks again for all your kindness and sharing. Wishing you all a peaceful holiday season.
There are so many acts of kindness given to my & my family!! The night she was born, so many came & stayed with us for hours recording the memories we so needed!! Foot casting, bathing, dressing, picture taking. I will always remember feeling so supported & not abandoned during my darkest hour.
These necklaces are absolutely beautiful. When we got home from the hospital a cousin of mine who I had not talked to in awhile reached out to me and sent a beautiful edible arrangements bouquet. It so surprised me that someone would go out of their way to do something so special.
After my sons Konnor & Korey died, it was very hard to stay strong for my other 3 sons. My coworkers helped by allowing my 2 older sons to spend the night at their house. 4 of my coworkers had my twins names engraved on a memorial through TCF, this touched my heart so much.It has been 6 months since I lost my boys, I wish people would realize that even though time passes, the heart still aches...
I would love to win this, The jewlery is so great. I first found her site when like you I suffered my first loss. I had a miscarriage after trying to get pregnant for 4 years. I think the nicest thing that someone had done for me in my time of need was to give us a wax teddy bear. I still have that bear on my tv as a memorial to my fist loss, I then ended up having a succesful pregnacy which resulted with my beautful Daughter Athena who will be 3 in Feb. I then got pregnant again only to loss that pregnancy as well once again I was crushed felt like a failure. I planted a few lilies to as a memorial to our lost angels. I then had our 2nd daughter and my sil was pregnant as well and she lost little Ashten she went into premature labor at 6 months pregnant and the saw there where some complications with him so he needed to be taken He was born and gave up his fight 2 weeks after being born, In a way I was glad I ahd my losses so I understood losing a child so I could be there for her. We just passed the 1 year anni. of his passing and I got her a necklace from the my forever child website. I would just love to have one for mysetlf for my lost angels that some tend to forget about being they are not buried. I find incredible strength and have read your heartbreaking story
I have two acts of kindness that reall stand out. First was my daughter who was only 3 at the time held he little brother, knowing he was not breathing, the picture I have shows the proudest big sister in the world at that moment.
The second act of kindness was from a lady I had never met, only talked to on an Army Wife forum. She brought over a meal for my family when I was too grief stricken to really prepare anything.
I love you blog, and so sorry for your loss. I too lost my daughter after 22 weeks. She was diagnosed with Trisomy 18. After losing her it became very difficult to be around other people who were pregnant. To help with healing though i offered my service of free maternity pictures to all my friends. To help them cherish the happiest time of their lives. It was the most thoughtless thing I could do. I wish i had someone who did it for me.
I have had so many blessings from others during this journey. But our pictures always come to mind for me. A friend took pregnancy pictures and pictures of our family for us, for free. She doesn't even work for NILMDTS, she just wanted to help us. We treasure those photos.
Wow- the love that we were shown after losing our twin daughters was amazing. It is hard to choose just one! A good friend set up a "meals on wheels" for us for the first two weeks and that was awesome. It was so wonderful to not have to worry about going grocery shopping or getting out of bed for that matter. I would also like to add the NICU unit made us an amazing scrapbook of Alexcyn's three days there. It was so touching and I literally slept with it those first few days because it seemed to be all I had of her.
It's hard to just think of one thing... there were so many that showed kindness when Jenna first died. But it's the smallest things that come to mind. I never forget when someone brings her up in conversation. That to me means more than almost anything. I'd like to enter on Jennifer from the Blue Sparrow's behalf too. I love Danielle's idea.
This is so very nice of you to do. I am sure that who ever wins will be in love. My forever child has some beautiful pieces.
I am currently pregnant with my rainbow child. I am scared to death. I will be 16 weeks Thursday. My son, Ross, was born sleeping at 22 weeks on May 16, 2009. He was alive at the beginning of labor, but when he came out over 20 hours later, he had passed. I am quite shy and no one really knows what to say to me so I just want to thank the few angel moms that I have met. I know I couldn't have gotten through this without them. I will for sure tell them to enter this drawing.
All I do is sit an wonder about this pregnancy. I am so afraid, but maybe this means something?... I tried for my son for a very long time having PCOS.. I finally got pregnant using injections from a specialist. Sadly, he was taken from me I went into labor at 22 weeks. They did nothing to stop it.. He had a heart beat at the beginning of labor and after over 20 hours he had passed. They had me hooked up to no monitors so I did not know he had passed... the rainbow at the end of a storm.. I bleed for 2 months really bad before they FINALLY agreed to do an ultrasound and see what was going on. They left a large piece of infected placenta in me so I had to have a DNC. Then with my first period, I was pregnant with this baby. I actually got pregnant the week my son was due.. maybe thats a sign he watching over us and everything will be ok?
Happy Holidays,
Ashley South
asouth@xistins.com
When I returned from Maternity leave with Ryan I found a note in my mailbox here at the office. To my surprise it was a note from the CEO of my company expressing how sorry he was for my loss. I was floored. Here the CEO of one of the largest transportation companies in this country with over 35,000 employees took the time to hand write a note to an employee who lost their child. It reminded me how blessed I am to be surrounded on all sides by such a wonderful support system.
There were many things done, especially by the staff @ the hospital who we became so close with during the 6 weeks of our sons life, but probably the most memorable thing done for us during this time period was done by my brother-in-law. He was a cabinet maker and when we knew that our son would not make it home from the hospital he started crafting his casket. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen and not only did he do an exquisite job, but it was handmade by a family member with so much love. There was nothing that could compare that we would have been able to buy even if we had been able to spend any amount in the world. He also outfitted it with a lock and gave my husband & I both keys to it so we would have a little keepsake with us @ all times.
How pretty! I love them all!
OMG I am in love.. running to go look at the site. Thank you for sharing.
I lost my son Feb. 2007. He was born 10 weeks premature and we lost him at 14 hours old due to the NICU overdosing him on meds. I was devastated by our loss and didn't know what I was going to do about funeral cost. Well one of our local funeral homes has a program were they paid for the cost. But I didn't want my son to be buried just anywhere so my parents graciously offered to let him be buried at their ranch in NM next to where my husband and I got married. But we still had the issue of transporting him over there since we live in TX. My aunt and uncle kindly offered to carry his little casket for us to my parents house for the funeral. My dad's work crew came out to the house and dug the hole for Rance's final resting place and we held the funeral the next day. My sisters church even held a special offering to fly her down here for his funeral since she lives in NC.
So if it wasn't for my loving family, I wouldn't have had a special place for him to rest at and the support I needed(and still do). Now I have a peace knowing his little grave is lovingly cared for by my parents and any time I visit them I get to visit my sweet angel!
Audra Leighton
Mommy to angel Rance~2/27/07
www.rance-wade-leighton.memory-of.com
There have been so many random acts of kindness and support over the last few months, but for me it's unexpected little things that help the most. A good guy friend of mine from college lights a candle in Gracie's virtual candle room - every 48 hours like clockwork. It doesn't surprise me that someone has been that consistent, but it amazes me that he is the person.
I think the biggest thing people did for us was pray. I also got some comfort from the hundreds of cards we got in the mail--some from complete strangers. Sylvia defintely made an impact on others and showed us that we too matter to others. What a generous giveaway today! Thank you.
--Beth
www.houselogfamily.blogspot.com
What a beautiful giveaway today!
When we lost Zackery, I was overwhelmed with my employer giving us a gift card for groceries and told me there wasn't any rush for me to come back to work.
As wel, my inbox was full of emails of condolences, a lot
from complete strangers!
I love it Holly!!! So many people have done kind things for me since losing our girls. On my first day back to work, another teacher who I know, but am not close too, gave me a card to lend me her support. It wa totally unexpected, but very much appreciated to know she was thinking of me after 4 months. Just recently my sister in law gave me two angel ornaments with Sophia's & Ellie's names printed on them. Knowing that she was thinking of us is so touching. I could go on and on, but I will leave it at that. Thanks so much for being a part of the giveaways Holly!! xx
Beautiful pieces. The NICU nurses who looked after Akul during his three days on earth were amazing. One of them Annette, sat with me, held my hand and cried as I held my dying child in my arms. She took pictures of our child as he lay skin on skin with his dad. Those were such hard days for us and my family stood by my side - solid as a rock. However, Annette, a stranger, felt our pain and walked a few steps on this road of pain with us and for that I will always be thankful to her.
I remember after my miscarriages I recieved alot of cards of love and sympathy but the one that stood out the most was not a card but a little teddy bear a little girl from church gave me. She told me she got it when her grandmother died and it helped her and she wanted me to have it so when I squeezed it I would know that my babies would be there with me always. Children are so innocent and compassionate without wanting anything in return.
We have had so many people do such kind things for us.... My two friends Ellie and Paula were amazing support to me immediately upon hearing George died during my labour. They emailed and called and both sent us care packages (things for the older children, bereavement books, a journal for me, teas, gift cards) because they live in other provinces from us. Such thoughtful kindness from two friends.
The necklace is beautiful and I love the story of how you met the artisan who designs such lovely keepsakes. (((Hugs)))
What a lovely giveaway! I have loved everything I have ordered from this website! People did some beautiful things for me when I lost Ella and again when I lost James but the thing that has had the most impact was a friend intoducing me to digital scrapbooking where she taught me to preserve my children's memories. It helped me heal and find peace with their passing. I now have beautiful albums I can look at everyday with photos of my beautiful children!
I might be too late to win but I would love to share anyway. I had so many earthly angels by my side the day I found out my son was no longer living. One of the 1st people to do something was my nurse. She was there for me to cry with and was a rock for me when I needed one. She was a friend, not only my nurse, once we met. Even after her shift she stayed up late until after I delivered my son. I delivered him at 2:41 AM. I am due with another son next month and I told her she is one person I want to share the moment of happiness with after what we went through last January. She is the nurse of the year, so kind and motherly and there for me in a time of need.
How nice!
A friend donated a plot for us to bury Logan in since we could not afford to buy one. That was pretty nice of them and took a load off of our backs.
It seems as though true friends are revealed on our darkest days. Their light shines through the darkness and reveals their true self. I had a few shining lights when we lost our son last year including the funeral home who provided the cremation at no cost as well as including us in a beautiful Christmas memorial. xoKyexo Our second loss two weeks ago again showed us who was closest to us. xoPeanutxo
When i had my little angel he arrived on the same day as my nephews angelversary .Although my sister was hurting terribly she stayed with me night and day and helped me through it.She bought me things with angels on them and encouraged me to make a memory box, if it hadnt been for her i wouldnt have a lot of the memories i now cherise.Her just being there and her acknowledging that my son was as special as i knew him to be meant a lot
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