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Giveaway #1 is for a necklace from Anna Ourth Jewelry. This necklace was inspired by my Anna's miscarriage as well as the losses of many friends. Her desire with this necklace is to give mamas a tangible object in memory of their sweet little angels.
A little 5/8 inch sterling silver blank is hand stamped with tiny angel wings and the phrase "forever loved". The disc has been hammered into a slightly domed shape. A tiny freshwater pearl dangles with the charm and both hang from a delicate 18 inch sterling silver ball chain necklace. Your child's name and birth date may also be stamped on the back at your request. There is also the option of substituting the pearl with a crystal birthstone.
I talked more with Anna about her story and her shop. Here are her own words:
I adopted my oldest daughter as a single mother and then got married when she was 5 and my husband adopted her as well. We wanted to have more children and tried for almost a year before getting pregnant. We discovered that our sweet baby was not living during an ultrasound at 10 weeks and it was devastating. It was too early to know the gender, but I think of him as a little boy named Paul. Part of what made it so hard was that it was my first pregnancy and I had a nagging feeling in the back of my head that maybe I couldn't have a baby. After the miscarriage I was feeling pretty depressed and started making jewelry to cheer me up and give me something to focus on. I fell in love with making jewelry. It took quite a while to get pregnant again but we did and had a little boy and then 15 months later another little boy.
When my first son was a baby I decided to open my Etsy shop and start selling my jewelry. I also joined an online forum and came to know a wonderful group of women online and last spring one of them lost twin girls at 22 weeks. Her loss really touched me and I had the idea to send her a necklace with the girl's names and their birth date. She was so touched by the gift that I decided I would like to make necklaces available for other women who had lost their babies. I think the tangible reminder that can be worn all the time is so powerful. I would love to be able to give a necklace to any woman who has lost a baby but I just can't afford that so I decided to sell them and gift them when I can. Somehow, there seems to be a real connection between my jewelry and infant loss. My jewelry has evolved over time and at this point I am getting interested in metalwork and learning new metal smith techniques. I love working with metals, pearls, and gemstones.
Thank you, Anna, for providing a beautiful necklace for today's giveaway and for sharing your story with us all.
Although Anna experienced her own devastating loss, the loss of a friend's babies really touched her. To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment telling of how someone else who has lost their child(ren) has touched you.
55 comments:
When I was 9 years old my oldest sister found out that she was expecting a baby girl. Sadly she lost her sweet baby at 5 months gestation. I remember even at my age how deflated and sad she became. We named her Emily Grace. This was my first experience with late term loss. After loosing Bryston, my sister shared with me alot about her experiences from loosing Emily and her story has helped me so much on my grief journey.
When was in the hospital giving birth to my boys i was given some teddies that were donated by other families that had lost their babies.Before recieving those teddies i felt like i was the only one who had ever lost their babies but getting them made me reasile that i wasnt alone at all. Because of that gift i now donate teddies to the hospital so that i can help others know that they arent alone either.
(I follow your blog)
My experience was 2 years before Adelle when my friend lost a baby to trisomy 18. Their wisdom and faith have taught us how to grieve with hope.
I am a follower!
Over the summer I learned of a high school friend who had a miscarriage. It was shortly after your loss Holly. She was about 4 months and could not make it to the hospital. It happened in a public restroom, she held the little body! My heart breaks for Tori! Her and her family did not know that they could have a funeral for the baby. She is now TTC again after another miscarriage in November.
One of my very best friends has tried for years to have a baby. She has lost a total of 5 babies to tubal pregnancies and she has now lost both of her tubes. She and I connected in such a great way after we lost our twins at 12 weeks. She has been a huge encouragement to me. She had her last tubal pregnancy and lost her second tube just before we lost Noah at 31 weeks. She has tried IVF once and they are giving it one last shot this year. We both know that all of our babies we have lost (we have each lost 5) are in Heaven and we will meet them one day!
I am a follower! :o)
It's a story you have heard many times from me. My sister lost my first nephew to Trisomy 13, nearly 12 years ago. He touched all of our hearts so much in his 6 short days.
I know that Kyle was my son's angel when he was born so sick. We all imagine him playing ball and running around with God now. And boy, I hope that is true.
~Cheryl
PS
I am a follower.
Just a couple months after my first miscarriage, my 22-day old niece died of GBS meningitis. My heart ached most of all for my sister-in-law, as I now knew what it is like to be a mother whose child had died. And she was there for me when I had my second miscarriage, a few months after that. We have grown so close this last year providing support and prayers to one another, and now she is expecting a baby in November! Maybe that baby will have a cousin close in age. :)
I am a follower! :)
While Freja was in the NICU, there were a couple of other families there who had babies in there as well. One family had twins, and had lost one. Another family had a son who was born with a very serious condition, and although they thought he was doing okay, he ended up passing away when he was three months old. Staying in touch with these women has given me strength. Knowing that we were all in that NICU almost one year ago, trying to make it from one day to the next with our own battles has given me perspective and strength. Being able to relate to, and support one another has helped with that aweful feeling of being so alone through this journey.
After Dylan's death, I was astounded at the number of women who shared about their own losses with me. In some cases, these were things that I never knew about these old friends, co-workers, and even acquaintances. I felt blessed that they were comfortable enough sharing that part of their lives with me, and I will always feel closer to these women because of that.
I follow your blog, thanks Holly!
I follow your blog, but just wanted to say how wonderful of a gift that is, and how I feel for both you and Anna, as well as her friend. Just lovely.
My best friend and her husband have been trying for several years to have a baby. Two years ago she called me so excited to tell me that she was finally pregnant! Just 6 weeks later she lost that baby. I tried to be the best support I could even though at the time I didn't fully understand what it felt like to lose a child. When I had my miscarriages she was there for me even though I know it was like reliving it all over again. They are continuing to try and I hope and pray that soon they will feel the joy of being a parent.
I am a follower.
My cousin lost her baby boy at 18 weeks almost 1 month prior to me loosing Juanito. She left the hospital empty handed and broken hearted. The hospital where she delivered did not have any type of program set in place for these types of losses. So because of her experience I have started making and filling memory boxes to donate to that hospital. My mom who happens to be material's manager there has also attended different seminars and trainings on what they can do for babyloss moms and families.
I'm a follower!!!
What a lovely story and beautiful necklace giveaway. (I do not want to be entered in the contest.)
When I was around 4-6 years of age, my aunt was going through fertility treatments. She became pregnant after numerous tries. I remember her being so incredibly excited and she told me that I was going to be a big cousin to her baby. Sadly, a few weeks later she lost the baby to miscarriage. She told me that (I don't remember this because I was so young) I came to sit on her lap when she was in tears and whispered in her ear "I'm so sorry you lost your baby Auntie but I still really really love you." She was able to share her experience with me and together, later in my life as well as hers, we were able to share tears and grieve for our children together.
I am a follower <3
When my son passed away and I was in the hospital awaiting the county coroner, they gave me a keepsake box made by some other mother who had lost there darlings children. Before I got this box (and the special card marked "We are here with you") I beleived this was a tradgedy, I beleived I was all alone and now I was as gone as Jayden was as well...But the box, the message; they opened my heart and cleared my mind. They still help me everyday to accept that my son had to go to Heaven, but I will see him again one day; and that our love will always be pure.
<3
I follow your blog always!
several years ago, the very young youth pastor and his wife at our church experienced infertility battles. they were thrilled when they discovered that they were expecting. the whole church as well as their families rejoiced. it was such a joy and triumph. as she experienced the "joys" hahaha of early pregnancy she reveled in it. she shared with me just how thankful she was for each and every episode of nausea and told me of her longing to feel the first kick. one sunday, her husband was at church and she was not.
our pastor announced that she had miscarried the baby the day before. at this point i had had "only" 2 miscarriages but all i could do was sit and cry. my heart just screamed and cry inside for this precious young woman. her heart was devastated and she received little comfort outside of "you can still keep trying". her family even gave her back the gift she had given them to announce that baby was coming.
i have since lost touch with her but her innocence was crushed that day and with it, my heart. it is one thing to go through your own loss but it is a helpless feeling to know that you are powerless to "fix it" for someone you love.
i too am following your blog!
I think the person has impacted me the most upon losing their child was my mother. Although I was really young when it happened, I was able to connect with her what the experience was like, when I became a mother. She is such a strong person and I gain my strength from her.
Also - I follow your blog :)
We have had 4 baby losses in our family, starting with my sister in 1941. Meredith was next in 1974, my niece lost her baby boy in 1990and my cousin's baby died of a tragic accident in 2001.When Meredith was buried, I was not allowed by the doctor to go to the cemetery. My Mother, not in good health herself, went back to the cemetery after the burial men had left and took a photo of Meredith's grave and flowers. It meant so much to me. it was nearing sundown, and the sun was behind Mother, making a perfect shadow of her on the ground by the grave. It is my favorite photo, and an act of love by Mother.
Sarita Boyette
sboyette@tx.rr.com
Holly, you know who I picked but my story is about Myah and Faith. Faith was not suppose to live yet 93days and she lived. In those 93 days Faith showed me how to live each day as it were the last. Faith touched my heart the first time I saw her smile in her 3d ultrasound. For someone who was not suppose to do a lot she sure did a lot for me
My touching story is my sister. We have both battled infertility. I finally got pregnant but delivered at 28 weeks. My son barely survived. My sister finally had to do IVF. To our happyness she got pregnant with twins..then at 21 weeks Cameron passed..she went into labor at 27 weeks. Addison was born and is now a healthy 9 month old. I think of Cameron every day and wonder what she would have been like. My sister has been such an inspiration to me because she has never doubted Gods love for her. Shes never doubted His will. She has faced it with such a Godly strength sometimes I am still in awe of her.
What a great giveaway! My daughters 3 yr birthday just passed a few days ago, she also was diagnosed with anencephaly. March is a tough month to get through. I hope it treats you kindly.
I'm also a follower of your blog :)
I would have to say the person that helped the most after my first miscarriage was the one nurse in the E.R that morning. She was great, she was really there for me. She had lost 2 children through miscarriages. She tried to answer my questions and was calm to my moods. She shared with me things that still help today. I thank God I had such a sweet nurse.
Caroline
Oh and yes I follow your blog.
Caroline
Before we lost Gracie I knew of several friends and family who had stillborn births and miscarriages. I was not as supportive as I wish I would have been at the time and sadly now I know so much more about how to be a support because of my own loss. Now I know far too many. But it was through Bree's Butterfly Parade that I met Megan who also lost Grace because of trisomy 18 less than a month from the time that we lost Gracie. We hit if off and have become so close. And I'm so thankful for her support through this grief. I really believe God sent her to me. We both had our belly shot for our facebook profile at the same time we met so we call each other belly buddies.
I wanted to say the necklace is beautiful and if I don't win I plan to buy one:) And I follow your blog.
I've been blessed by journeying with a group of ladies on through a website called AFBA, these ladies are a source of support, inspiration, encourangement.
my cousin lost 2 babies 6 and 5 years ago to the same thing we lost Ella to, and 5 years ago, around the same time our good friends lost their newborn to a rare genetic disease..my heart felt as though it were being ripped out for them..I felt the need to do something, and just did not know what.. except pray..and after a while I assumed they were okay. And then when Ella was a few months old, the same friends that lost their newborn,lost their baby to SIDS.. at the time Ella was still healthy as far as we knew..I became paranoid and worried and heartbroken. I prayed for them again..and held Ella closer, took more pics, slowed down my life to enjoy her.. and I am so thankful that I did.. I had 2 months of her being healthy and ignorant to the fact that her body was shutting down..and now we have them IRL to be there for each other..to mourn our children with them..but more importantly..I had some special time with her that I may not have taken the time to do..
I lost my daughter, Karis Lynne to Anencephaly this past July 9. She was my first daughter (I have two boys). She was beautiful! She had two breaths and then she was gone. I am still trying to figure out how I want to celebrate her first birthday. I love that you can have a giveaway, that is so awesome!
It is hard to chose just one. There has been so much loss here lately. First, there was you and your sweet Carly. I stayed up all night waiting to here what was going on. You inspired me to get closer to God. Then there was poor Katie and her daughter Harley. I did everything I could to help them out. Next came poor Layla Grace and her family. She was such a fighter. All of them have made me stop and appreciate what we have.
And I am a follower!
Loosing my sweet baby Kael has been so hard! It has opened my eyes to the fact that others need support as well. I reach out to as many baby lost mamas as possible. Its not a fun thing to go through and it is espically hard if you have no one so I try to help where possible.
*** I follow your blog**
Not trying to win but wanted to comment on how beautiful. And how wonderful of women like you and Emily to help us along our journeys.
I have been touched by every single woman in this world who has had to say goodbye to their child. They are all amazing. I'm thankful that they are brave enough to write about their precious child(ren), and will take time to lift you up when you really need the encouragement.
My name is Jennifer, and I follow you! lol :P
I wasn't sure where to add this, but I commented yesterday about my best friend and her struggle to get pregnant after miscarriage 2 years ago. I spoke with her just today and God has answered prayers. She told me that she is 8weeks pregnant! I just had to share the wonderful news!
I have been touched by so many moms that have lost children through reading blogs. I started reading blogs about babies with fatal diagnosis, and other blogs about loss before Faith was even thought of. Who knew that that was what would help me get through my own loss.
I am a follower!
M fiance's grandmother recently shared with me that she lost her first daughter. She'd named her Kristen. It touched me to know that even as you age, you never ever forget.
I follow :)
I have 2 cousins and a close friend who have miscarried, but they weren't very open about discussing it at the time. But now I am currently 28 weeks carrying our precious Karinne who was diagnosed with acrania - similar to anencephaly. We are trying to make the very most of our time with her - however brief it may be. These necklaces are beautiful!!
When I was in high school I baby-sat for a family who lost there third child (first son) a couple of days after birth due to a heart defect. I was deeply affected by their loss, and when I experienced my own loss, I was able to look back and remember the example of faith, and grieving with hope that I saw in this mother years before. I haven't been in touch with her in many years, but I hope to regain contact in the future to let her know the impact of her example.
I am a follower!:)
I am a follower
My dear friend had a baby 3 weeks after my youngest was born. Baby Amber was beautiful, sweet, well-behaved.... but sadly God took her home too soon. She died of SIDS when she was just 4 1/2 months old.
It has been nine months since then, and the faith that my friend and her family have displayed during and since that time, is truly extraordinary.
This experience has deeply touched me. I will never ever forget dear Amber.
In October, we lost our little boy at 7 months gestation without warning. I was taught, and I am still learning, the real meaning of life.
I am now a follower, happy angel-versary sweet Carleigh!
My friend Daphne, whom I met online and later in person, had a stillborn baby girl the same year that I did. What an inspiration she has been, because her daughter renewed her faith! She has since started her own support group, and has been helping mothers all along the way. She has such courage, and it's great to see God working through her!
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Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
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