Saturday, July 31, 2010

The Best Day Ever

July 31, 2009.  

The Best. Day. EVER.

I woke up early in the morning, having decided the night before that I was going to take a pregnancy test first thing.  

Hubby had left earlier that morning for a weekend-long concert at the beach with some youth group kids.

I woke up excited and more eager than ever to POAS (pee on a stick, in TTC (trying to conceive) lingo).  I did that first thing, then went on with my morning routine, trying to forget about that stick sitting on the side of my bathtub that was rapidly changing colors.

I waited for the time to be up (3 minutes exactly... no more, no less), though I may have peeked once after about 90 seconds or so.

Two lines.

Two PINK lines.

Two VERY DARK PINK LINES!!!!

I scrambled to find the wrapper in the trash... did I pee on the right kind of stick?  Could it possibly be?!?!  I dug deeper into the trash for the directions, just to be sure I was reading the test correctly (like its that hard in the first place... one line=negative, no baby; two lines=positive, a baby!).  YES!!! It was!  

I immediately scrambled for my phone, which as usual, was nearly out of battery.  I called my BFFFFF, Tracy.  At first I think I played it cool... 

Me: Hi, BFF (yeah, we actually call e/o that... or 'best friend')
BFF: Hi, what are you up to?
Me: Oh, nothing much just getting ready for work.
BFF: Oh yeah?  That's cool...
BFF: So, what's up?  Have you heard anything more about your adoption application?
Me: Um... (minor freak out dance here) Well, no.... but.... I just took a pregnancy test and I think there's two lines.   
BFF: **brief silence** WHAT?  
Me & BFF: OMG? SERIOUSLY? WHAT?
Me: What do I do???
BFF: Did you tell Sean yet?
ME: No, he's out of town, and I want to be sure!
BFF: Well.... go get some more tests!
Me: Ok, I will and then I'll call you!
BFF: Ok!  I have a dentist appointment but I'll call you after that if we miss each other.
Me: OK!  LYMY! (Love you miss you, in best friend lingo)

After I got off the phone with BFF (afterall, I still had to go to work) I finished getting ready and gathered all the composure I could and headed into the office.  Somewhere in my morning, I wrote as my facebook status, "This is the best day ever!"

A co-worker from the front office came back and asked, "Are you pregnant?!"  I ho-hummed around the question with another question: "Why would you think that?!"  She just said something about how I wrote on FB that this was the best day ever... I lied and told her I was talking about getting to see my best friend soon... Um, yeah.  

Sometime that morning, I called my mom and told her.  She cried.  I cried.  I remember feeling weird about it too...almost like I was a teenager telling my mom I was pregnant.  Weird, but wonderful.  My dad was actually in flight, on his way to Egypt (where he and my mom were MOVING).  But I called him anyways and left him a voicemail with the news.  (A day or so later, after he landed in Egypt I got a hold of him via telephone.  He hadn't received that voice mail so I got to tell him in person!  So glad he didn't get that... it was WAY better telling him in person... well, in person on the phone.)

At lunchtime, I dashed into Walgreens for three more pregnancy test.  All differnt brands, just in case there was some kind of conspiracy where the PT-making companies altered the tests to give false-positives.  (Always a conspiracy theory, right?)  I don't know how much money I spent on those things.  I got home, did the whole POAS- or three- thing... and they were all positive!

I called BFF again:

Me: I bought some more tests.
BFF: Well, did you take them yet?
Me: Yes.
BFF: And??
Me: They were all positive!!!! I'm really pregnant!!!!

We both danced around (at least I did... she was at work.  I was in my bathroom.  So maybe only I danced around.)  We hung up beacause she had to run home before her dental appointment.  About 30 minutes later, she called me back.

BFF: Hey...
Me: Hey...
BFF: Um, so when you took your pregnancy test, was one line lighter than the other?
Me: No, I don't think so... they were both pretty dark.  Why?
BFF: Well....
......
......
Because I just took one and there's two lines.

Me: WHAT?!?!
BFF: YEAH!
Me: OMG, are you pregnant?!?! (As if the directions (one line=negative, no baby; two lines=positive, a baby!) had magically just changed)
BFF: Yeah, I think so!!!

(Now we were both really doing a happy dance, in our respective bathrooms, with half the country in between us.)

I don't even remember if I ate lunch or not, but somehow I made it back to work and through the rest of the day.  This was by far one of the best days of my life.

BFF and I spent the rest of the day IM'ing and talking about all kinds of plans... how she told her baby daddy she was knocked up and how I was devising a scavenger hunt to tell Sean about our little growing bean.

I cannot say it enough.  Best Day Of My Life.  One of the greatest memories I hope to NEVER EVER forget... like even when I'm 90 and have lost them all.  This is the one I would hope to retain. 

Fast forward a year later.  July 31, 2010.  In a quiet house.  Just hubby and me.  No baby.  That baby I fell in love with 1 year ago-today is not here.  But knowing all that I know now... the joy, the pain, the tears (of joy and sorrow), the excitement, the nervousness.... all of it.  I'd take it all again.  GLADLY.  I'd do it all over.  Despite it all, it was still one of the best days of my life.

Many women never know the joy of seeing two pink lines.  I am forever grateful I did!  It took years to get that... so I don't take it for granted.  But finding out I was pregnant the same day as my BEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WORLD??!??!  Now that hardly ever happens.  I am so grateful for her and the support she is to me.  Her sweet Bella was born shortly after Whitney.  She is a beautiful, chunky, healthy, growing baby girl.  And I am so grateful for her.  I wish she and Whit could have grown up together.  I wish they could have been best friends.  I wish they could have exchanged those best friend half-heart necklaces.  I wish they could have had slumber parties and nights swam in the creek together.  Oh, how I wish so much.  But I know that Bella will know of Whitney.  Her mamma already tells her stories of all the great times they would have had and how much her short life meant to all of us.

I have nothing but gratefulness in my heart.  God gave me a gift so many never have-- a beautiful daughter, and all the memories of carrying her that came with it.  He gave me a friend to walk through the journey.  And he gave me a beautiful reminder of what my daughter might have been like, were she still here today.  

Its been a year since the Best Day Ever.  I miss my baby and wish she were here.  So I hope and pray that there will be another day to rival this Best Day.  But through this all, I've learned I'm not in control.  I must spend time being grateful for what I have, and not for what could have been.  So today, I am so very thankful for the many, many countless gifts my Loving Father has lavished upon me.  He is SO. Good.

"The Lord is good to all;

He has compassion on all He has made."

(from Psalm 145)




From Tiffany O

A sweet friend, Tiffany (Skylar's mommy) sent me this precious photo she created with clip art... I love it!!! The winged feet with the halo are absolutely perfect!! I am overwhelmed with love by our friends (both IRL (in real life) and ONL (on line)) who send us name pictures! THANK YOU! I continue to look for other angel babies' names when I am out and about... I carry each one of them in my heart, just as I do Whitney. I love getting these pictures! Thank you for sharing your love with us!

Tiffany O



You can see the rest of Whitney's Name Gallery pictures by clicking the photo below:






And if you're wondering what's up with this name thing, click HERE.  :-)



From Egypt!

I forgot to upload these pictures we took in Egypt!  (I added a couple a while ago, but I've since edited the pictures so they're prettier.)  :-)



These first two were taken at the Great Pyramids of Giza.  This was such an amazing trip, I can't wait to go back!!



Whit Pyramids 



Whit Pyramids2 





These next two pictures were taken on the beach at Sharm El Shiekh, on the Sinai peninsula of Egypt.  This is the Red Sea!!  Amazingly beautiful place!



Whit Sharm1 



Whit Sharm2 

    



You can see the rest of Whitney's Name Gallery pictures by clicking the photo below:






And if you're wondering what's up with this name thing, click HERE.  :-)



From Shannon C

This picture is from my friend, Shannon C (andgel baby Aubrey's momma!).  Thanks so much for sending this picture to me!  I love Tinkerbell and think Whitney would have, too!




Whitney Tink
 



You can see the rest of Whitney's Name Gallery pictures by clicking the photo below:






And if you're wondering what's up with this name thing, click HERE.  :-)



From Stephanie

My cousin, Stephanie recently went on a cruise.  She took these name pictures for us in Key West, FL and Ocho Rios, Jamaica.  Sean and I went to Jamaica several years and ago and we LOVED it!  I love these beach pictures with Whit's name in the sand!  I wonder how many beaches we can write Whitney's name on!??!  Thanks so much Steph!!




Key West-Steph

Ocho Rios-Steph
  



You can see the rest of Whitney's Name Gallery pictures by clicking the photo below:






And if you're wondering what's up with this name thing, click HERE.  :-)



From San Francisco

When Sean and I went to San Fran for my birthday a few weeks ago, we found a lot of things for Whitney's name gallery.  Here are a few of them!




P1020136
 
P1020138

P1020116
And just for fun, a pic of us at the Orpheum theatre, before we saw Wicked!  We had front row seats!!  It was a GREAT time!!!




P1020160
   



You can see the rest of Whitney's Name Gallery pictures by clicking the photo below:






And if you're wondering what's up with this name thing, click HERE.  :-)



From the Nathans

Our friends recently went to NC on vacation and they took a few minutes to write Whitney's name in the sand on Carolina Beach, NC.  If you really know Sean or me, you know how much we LOVE the South, especially NC and the beautiful beaches there.  A little part of our hearts will always be in NC!  The Nathans had a good time (I think?) writing Whitney's name in the sand... dodging waves and retrieving a wayward flip flop that a rogue wave tried to sweep out to sea!  Thanks so much, guys!




NC2

NC3


NC1
 
  



You can see the rest of Whitney's Name Gallery pictures by clicking the photo below:






And if you're wondering what's up with this name thing, click HERE.  :-)



From Idette

A dear, sweet co-worker of mine recently went on a cruise with her hubby.  She said she wasn't purposefully looking for "Whitney" name items, but several of them just kept jumping out at her!  Thank-you, Idette for taking time out of your vacay to remember our baby!!  Love you, friend!




Idette
 


You can see the rest of Whitney's Name Gallery pictures by clicking the photo below:






And if you're wondering what's up with this name thing, click HERE.  :-)



From April

I am very behind on posting some beautiful name pictures!!  So today I'm playing catch-up while Sean and I watch a Psych marathon.  :-)  If Whitney were here, she'd definitely be wearing her Pineapple onsie with a matching hair bow.    My friend April (angel baby Adam's mommy) sent me this picture from a beach in Sanibel, Florida.  Thank you so much, April for rememering Whitney and so many of Adam's heavenly friends!


From April
 








You can see the rest of Whitney's Name Gallery pictures by clicking the photo below:






And if you're wondering what's up with this name thing, click HERE.  :-)



Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Poems

A Child of Mine
A Dad's Grief
A Million Times
Always Have A Place
An Angel Never Dies
An Angel’s Kiss
Angel of My Tears
Ask My Mom How She Is
Broken Chain
Fly, Fly
Forget Me Not
Gone Too Soon
I Can Tell
I Miss You Too
I Who...
In The Arms Of Jesus
In The Sky
Little Snowdrop
Memories
Mention My Child
My Dad is a Survivor
My Mom is a Survivor
Part of Me
Remembering
Safely Home
She Came And Went
Softly
Someday
Songs On The Way
Still
Sweet Reunion
The Cord
The Day God Took You Home
They Say There is a Reason
Tiny Angel
Tiny Footprints
To All Parents
To Mother and Father
What Makes A Mother
When Sorrow Comes
When Tomorrow Starts Without Me
You're Not Alone



A Child of Mine
by Edgar Guest
I will lend you for a little time,
A special child of mine, He said
For you to love the while she lives,
And mourn for when she's dead.


It may be six or seven years,
Or twenty-two or three.
But will you, till I call her back,
Take care of her for Me?


She'll bring her charms to gladden you,
And should her stay be brief.
You'll have her precious memories,
As solace for your grief.


I cannot promise she will stay,
Since all from earth return.
But there are lessons taught down there,
I want this child to learn.


I've looked the wide world over,
In search for teachers true.
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes,
I have selected you.


Now will you give her all your love,
Nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call,
To take her home again?


I fancied that I heard them say,
"Dear Lord, Thy will be done!
For all the Joy Thy child shall bring,
The risk of grief we'll run.


We'll shelter her with tenderness,
We'll love her while we may,
And for the happiness we'll know,
Forever grateful stay.


But should the angels call for her,
Much sooner than we've planned.
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
And try to understand."



A Dad's Grief
Anonymous
It must be very difficult
to be a man in grief
since men don't cry and men are strong
no tears can bring relief.


It must be very difficult
to stand up to the test
and take the calls and visitors
so she can get some rest


They always ask if she's all right
and what she's going through
but seldom take his hand and ask
"My friend, but how are you?"


He hears her crying in the night
and thinks his heart will break
he dries her tears and comforts her
but stays strong for her sake


It must be very difficult to start each day anew
and try to be so very brave
He lost his baby too.



A Million Times
Author Unknown
A million times I've missed you, a million times I've cried.
If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died.
To some you are forgotten, to others just part of the past;
but to me who loved and lost you, your love will always last.
It broke my heart to lose you, you didn't go alone,
for my life went with you -sweetheart- the day angels called you home.
For things on earth didn't matter, but now I feel so alone,
My heart will always be broken, my life will never be whole.
We might be parted for awhile, our hearts will always be together
for one day soon we will hold hands again forever.



Always Have A Place
Author Unknown
We couldn't wait to hold you
And see your pretty face.
To count your little fingers,
And check your toes are in their place.


It should have been the happiest day
To remember all our life.
But joy had turned to heartache,
No breath, no beat, no life.


We will never see you smile,
Or hear your hearty cry.
We will never be able to dry your tears,
Or share your happy times.


Our precious little Angel,
We will always know your face.
In our hearts and stars forever,
You will always have a place.



An Angel Never Dies
 Author Unknown
Don’t let them say I wasn’t born,
That something stopped my heart
I felt each tender squeeze you gave,
I’ve loved you from the start.
 

Although my body you can’t hold
It doesn’t mean I’m gone
This world was worthy, not of me
God chose that I move on.
 

I know the pain that drowns your soul,
What you are forced to face
You have my word, I’ll fill your arms,
Someday we will embrace.
 

You’ll hear that it was meant to be,
God doesn’t make mistakes
But that wont soften your worst blow,
Or make your heart not ache.
 

I’m watching over all you do,
Another child you’ll bear
Believe me when I say to you,
That I am always there.
 

There will come a time,I promise you,
When you will hold my hand,
Stroke my face and kiss my lips
And then you’ll understand.
 

Although I’ve never breathed your air,
Or gazed into your eyes
That doesn’t mean I never was,
An Angel never dies.



An Angel’s Kiss
Author Unknown
We go through life so often
Not stopping to enjoy the day,
And we take each one for granted
As we travel on our way.


We never stop to measure
Anything we just might miss,
But if the wind should blow by softly
You'll feel an angel's kiss.


A kiss that is sent from Heaven
A kiss from up above,
A kiss that is very special
From someone that you love.


For in your pain and sorrow
An angel's kiss will help you through,
This kiss is very private
For it is meant for only you.


So when your hearts are heavy
And filled with tears and pain,
And no one can console you
Remember once again.....


About the ones you grieve for
Because you sadly miss
And the gentle breeze you took for granted
Was just......... "an angel's kiss."



Angel of My Tears
Author Unknown
How do you love a person
who never got to be,
or try to envision a face
you never got to see?
How do you mourn the death of one
who never got to live.
When there's nothing to feel good about
and nothing to forgive?
I love you, my little baby,
my companion of the night.
Wandering through my lonely hours,
beautiful and bright.
What does it mean to die before
you ever were born,
to live the lovely night of life
and never see the dawn?
Ah! My little baby,
you lived like anyone!
Life's a burst of joy and pain.
And then like yours, it's done.
I love you, my little baby,
just as if you'd lived for years.
No more, no less, I think of you,
the Angel of my tears.



Ask My Mom How She Is
Author Unknown
My Mom, she tells a lot of lies,
She never did before
But from now until she dies,
She'll tell a whole lot more.


Ask my Mom how she is
And because she can't explain,
She will tell a little lie
because she can't describe the pain.


Ask my Mom how she is,
She'll say"I'm alright."
If that's the truth, then tell me,
why does she cry each night ?


Ask my Mom how she is
She seems to cope so well,
She didn't have a choice you see,
Nor the strength to yell.


Ask my Mom how she is,
"I'm fine, I'm well, I'm coping."
For God's sake Mom, just tell the truth,
Just say your heart is broken


She'll love me all her life
I loved her all of mine.
But if you ask her how she is,
She'll lie and say she's fine.


I am here in Heaven
I cannot hug from here.
If she lies to you don't listen
Hug her and hold her near.


On the day we meet again,
We'll smile and I'll be bold.
I'll say,
"You're lucky to get in here, Mom,
With all the lies you told!"



Broken Chain
Author Unknown
We little knew that day
God was going to call your name
In life we loved you dearly
In death,we do the same


It broke our hearts to lose you
You did not go alone
for part of us went with you,
the day God called you home


You left us beautiful memories,
your love is still our guide
and though we cannot see you,
you are always at our side


Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same,
but as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again



Eternity
Author Unknown
I know you're feeling sad today
Because I had to go
I know you have so many things
That remind you of me so


And though you cry as you recall
The times you spent with me
I know your pain would turn to joy
If only you could see


I'm in Heaven with Jesus now
We laugh, we sing, we play
He holds me gently in His arms
I have no pain today


And though we're apart a little while
Jesus has said to me
He will someday bring you here
Where we'll live for eternity



Fly, Fly
Author Unknown


Fly, fly little wing
Fly beyond imagining
The softest cloud, the whitest dove
Upon the wind of heaven's love 
Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain
And fly again


Fly, fly precious one
Your endless journey has begun
Take your gentle happiness
Far too beautiful for this
Cross over to the other shore
There is peace forevermore
But hold this mem'ry bittersweet
Until we meet


Fly, fly do not fear
Don't waste a breath, don't shed a tear
Your heart is pure, your soul is free
Be on your way, don't wait for me
Above the universe you'll climb
On beyond the hands of time
The moon will rise, the sun will set
I won't forget


Fly, fly little wing
Fly where only angels sing
Fly away, the time is right
Go now, find the light



For Such A Little While
Helen Steiner Rice
God gave you your daughter
For such a little while;
He put a bit of heaven
In the sunshine of her smile


He took dust from the brightest twinkling stars
And made her sparkling eyes;
And now, she's gone back home to God,
To play up in the skies.


And though she left so quickly
That you hearts are grieved and sad,
We know she lives with God
And her small heart is glad.


And though your precious darling
Was just a rosebud small;
She'll bloom in all her beauty
On the other side of the wall.



Forget Me Not
Author Unknown
Forget me not
My little one
You have left us too soon
Though my body can no longer hold you
I hold you forever in my heart
As precious and beautiful as this flower caught in time
A mother's love does not forget.



Gone Too Soon
Author Unknown
This was a life that hardly begun
no time to find your place in the sun
no time to do all you could have done
but we loved you enough for a lifetime


No time to enjoy the world and its wealth
No time to take life down off the shelf
no time to sing the song of yourself
though you had enough love for a lifetime


Those who live long endure sadness and tears
but you'll never suffer the sorrowing years
no betrayal, no anger
no hatred, no fears
Just love, only love in your lifetime.



I Can Tell
Steven L. Channing
I can tell by that look friend, that we need to talk.
So come take my hand and let's go for a walk.


See I'm not like the others -I won't shy away.
Because I want to hear what you've got to say.


Your child has died and you need to be heard.
But they don't want to hear a single word.


They say your child's with God ,so be strong.
They say all the "right" things that somehow seem wrong.


I'll walk in your shoes for more than a mile.
I'll wait while you cry and be glad if you smile.


I won't criticize you or judge you or scorn.
I'll just stay and listen 'til night turns to morn.


Yes, the journey is hard and unbearably long.
And I know that you think that you're not quite that strong.


So just take my hand 'cause I've got time to spare.
And I know how it hurts, friend, for I have been there.


See, I owe a debt you can help me repay.
For not so long ago, I was helped the same way.


And I stumbled and fell through a world so unreal.
So believe when I say that I know how you feel.


I don't look for praise or financial gain.
And I'm sure not the kind who gets joy out of pain.


I'm just a strong shoulder who'll be here 'til the end.
I'll be your Compassionate Friend !!!



I Miss You Too
Kindra Larsen
I feel your love in the warm sunshine breeze
I feel your arms wrapped around me in my dreams
I hear your whispers in the quiet room
Telling me that you miss me, do I miss you too?


I remember laughing when we played in the sun
The times we had were so much fun
We held each other tight when our tears fell
Knowing as long as we are together, all is well


We never expected things would end up this way
So many memories and plans were made
But when you didn’t come home one night
I knew your time had come, it will be alright.


And I feel your love in the warm sunshine breeze
I feel your arms wrapped around me in my dreams
I hear your whispers in the quiet room
Telling me that you miss me, do I miss you too?


In my life, I am trying to move on
It’s just that I am wishing you weren’t gone
You know that my heart is broken in two
Because of the emptiness without you.


When I look to the sky, I know you are there.
This is what I believe, I will not despair
My faith tells me that you are with Him
And I know someday I will see you again.


So I return my love to you in the warm sunshine breeze
I wrap my arms around you in my dreams
I whisper to you in the quiet room
And tell you that I miss you too.



I Who...
Author Unknown
Please don't tell them you never got to know me
It is I whose kicks you will always remember,
I who gave you heartburn that a dragon would envy,
I who couldn't seem to tell time and got your days and nights mixed up,
It is I who acknowledged your craving for ice cream by knocking the cold bowl off your belly,
I who went shopping and helped you pick out the perfect teddy bear for me,
I who liked to be cradled in your belly and rocked off to dreamy slumber by the fire,
It is I who never had a doubt about your love,
It is I who was able to put a lifetime of joy into an instant.



In The Arms Of Jesus
Anonymous
Daddy please don't look so sad, momma please don't cry.
Cause I'm in the arms of Jesus, and he sings me lullabies.
Please try not to question God, don't think he is unkind.
Don't think he sent me to you and then changed his mind.
You see I'm a special child, I am needed up above.
I'm the special gift you gave Him, a product of your love.
I'll always be there with you, so watch the sky at night.
Look for the brightest star and know that's my halo's brilliant light.
You'll see me in the morning frost that mists your window pane.
That's me in the summer showers, I'll be dancing in the rain.
When you feel a gentle breeze from a gentle wind that blows.
Know that it's me planting a kiss upon your nose.
When you see a child playing and your heart feels a tug,
Don't be sad mommy, that's just me giving your heart a hug.
So daddy don't looks so sad and momma please don't cry.
I'm in the arms of Jesus and he sings me lullabies!



In The Sky
Author Unknown
I have not turned my back on you
So there is no need to cry.
I'm watching you from heaven
Just beyond the morning sky.


I've seen you almost fall apart
When you could barely stand.
I asked an angel to comfort you
And watched her take your hand.


She told me you are in more pain
Than I could ever be.
She wiped her eyes and swallowed hard
Then gave your hand to me.


Although you may not feel my touch
Or see me by your side.
I've whispered that I love you
While I wiped each tear you cried.


So please try not to ache for me
We'll meet again one day.
Beyond the dark and stormy sky
A rainbow lights the way.



Little Snowdrop
Author Unknown
The world may never notice
If a Snowdrop doesn't bloom,
Or even pause to wonder
If the petals fall too soon.
But every life that ever forms,
Or ever comes to be,
Touches the world in some small way
For all eternity.
The little one we long for
Was swiftly here and gone.
But the love that was then planted
Is a light that still shines on.
And though our arms are empty,
Our hearts know what to do.
Every beating of our hearts
Says of our love for you.



Memories
Author Unkown
If we could have a lifetime wish
A dream that would come true,
We'd pray to God with all our hearts
For yesterday and You.


A thousand words can't bring you back
We know because we've tried....
Neither will a thousand tears
We know because we've cried....


You left behind our broken hearts
And happy memories too....
But we never wanted memories


We only wanted You. Mention My Child
Elizabeth Dent
Go ahead and mention my child,
The one that died, you know.
Don't worry about hurting me further.
The depth of my pain doesn't show.
Don't worry about making me cry.
I'm already crying inside.
Help me to heal by releasing
The tears that I try to hide.
I'm hurt when you just keep silent,
Pretending she didn't exist.
I'd rather you mention my child,
Knowing that she has been missed.
You asked me how I was doing.
I say "pretty good" or "fine".
But healing is something ongoing
I feel it will take a lifetime.



My Mom is a Survivor
Kaye Des'Ormeaux
My mom is a survivor,
Or so I have heard it said.


But I can hear her crying
When all others are in bed.


I watch her lay awake at night
And go to hold her hand.


She doesn’t know I’m with her
To help her understand.


But like the sands upon the beach
That never wash away...


I watch over my surviving mom,
Who thinks of me each day.


She wares a smile for others...
A smile of disguise.


But through heaven’s open door
I see tears flowing from her eyes


My mom tries to cope with my death
To keep my memory alive.


But to anyone who knows her
Knows it’s her way to survive.


As I watch over my surviving mom
Through heaven’s open door...


I try to tell her
Angels protect me forevermore.


I know that doesn’t help her...
Or ease the burden she bears.


So if you get a chance, talk to her...
And show her that you care.


For no matter what she says...
No matter what she feels.


My surviving mom has a broken heart
That time won’t ever heal.



My Dad is a Survivor
Author Unknown
My dad is a survivor too
which is no surprise to me.
He's always been like a lighthouse
that helps you cross a stormy sea. 
But, I walk with my dad each day
to lift him when he's down.
I wipe the tears he hides from others;
He cries when no one's around.
I watch him sit up late at night
with my picture in his hand.
He cries as he tries to grieve alone,
and wishes he could understand.
My dad is like a tower of strength.
He's the greatest of them all!
But, there are times when he needs to cry...
Please be there when he falls.
Hold his hand or pat his shoulder...
And tell him it's okay.
Be his strength when he's sad,
Help him mourn in his own way.
Now, as I watch over my precious dad
from the Heavens up above...
I'm so proud that he's a survivor...
And, I can still feel his love. 



Part of Me
Author Unknown
You never said you're leaving
You never said goodbye
You were gone before I knew it,
And only God knew why.
A million times I needed you,
A million times I cried.
If love alone could have saved you,
You never would have died.
In life I loved you dearly
In death I love you still
In my heart you hold a place,
That nobody could ever fill.
It broke my heart to lose you,
But you didn't go alone
For part of me went with you,
The day God took you home.



Remembering
By Elizabeth Dent
Go ahead and mention my child,
The one that died, you know.
Don't worry about hurting me further.
The depth of my pain doesn't show.
Don't worry about making me cry.
I'm already crying inside.
Help me to heal by releasing
The tears that I try to hide.
I'm hurt when you just keep silent,
Pretending she didn't exist.
I'd rather you mention my child,
Knowing that she has been missed.
You asked me how I was doing.
I say "pretty good" or "fine".
But healing is something ongoing
I feel it will take a lifetime.



Safely Home
William Lawrence Gates
I am home in Heaven, dear ones;
Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is perfect Joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.


All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.


Did you wonder why I so calmly trod
The valley of the shade?
Oh! but Jesus' love illumined
Every dark and fearful glade.


And He came Himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus' arm to lean on,
Could I have one doubt or dread?


Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still;
Try to look beyond earth's shadows,
Pray to trust our Father's Will.


There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remaineth-
You shall rest in Jesus' land.


When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you Home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the Joy to see you come!



She Came And Went
James Russell Lowell
As a twig trembles, which a bird
Lights on to sing, then leaves unbent,
So is my memory thrilled and stirred;—
I only know she came and went.


As clasps some lake, by gusts unriven,
The blue dome’s measureless content,
So my soul held that moment’s heaven;—
I only know she came and went.


As, at one bound, our swift spring heaps
The orchards full of bloom and scent,
So clove her May my wintry sleeps;—
I only know she came and went.


An angel stood and met my gaze,
Through the low doorway of my tent;
The tent is struck, the vision stays;—
I only know she came and went.


Oh, when the room grows slowly dim,
And life’s last oil is nearly spent,
One gush of light these eyes will brim,
Only to think she came and went.



Softly
Author Unknown
How quietly he
tiptoed into our world.
Softly, only a moment
he stayed
but what an imprint
his footprints have left
upon our hearts.



Someday
Author Unknown
If tears could build a stairway,
And memories were a lane,
We would walk right up to heaven
To bring you down again.
No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say good-bye.
You were gone before we knew it,
And only God knows why.
Our hearts still ache in sadness
And secret tears still flow,
What it meant to lose you,
No one will ever know.
When we are sad and lonely,
And everything goes wrong,
We seem to hear you whisper
"Cheer up and carry on."
Each time we look at your pictures,
You seem to smile and say,
"Don't cry, I'm only sleeping,
We'll meet again someday."



Songs On the Way
Maria Carneiro
My daughter went home, to heaven she's flown.
Jesus came and got her, she was God's own.


My heart is broken, missing my precious child.
God keeps me .... I didn't go wild.


I will meet my daughter one day, when God calls me home.
We will meet at heaven's gate, a celebration like none.


I miss you, Crystal, I love you with all my heart.
Although I'm here and you're in heaven, our hearts didn't part.


There's songs on the way, we will reunite.
Our Joy will overflow in that heavenly light.


Eagles were flying, putting on a show for me to see,
It reminded me of you, in heaven happy and free.


I will hope in God's promise that we'll reunite,
In perfect love and peace, God's truth, heavenly light.


ReJoice my soul, for my child is free.
She's in heaven with Jesus, waiting for me.

All my love baby,
Mom



Still
Author Unknown
Your little heart beating so strongly
All those months
Is silent.
Your little arms and legs
Moving so vigorously
Are still.


Milk falling like tears from your mother's breasts
Will never nourish you.
Your eyes will never sparkle
Your little voice forever silent.


Your mother and father hold you in their arms,
Timidly kissing your soft, smooth cheek
Caressing your tiny fingers
And whispering your name with tears.


We dream of holding you
Of watching you smile and grow
Our love is always with you
Though you will never know.



Sweet Reunion
Author Unknown
I know I'll see the sun shine bright
upon my baby's face....
When I finally get to heaven,
all my pain will be erased.


We'll soar the skies together,
as angels two by two.
We'll have a sweet reunion,
this mother's dream come true!



The Cord
Author Unknown
We are connected,
My child and I,
By an invisible cord,
Not seen by the eye.


It's not like the cord
That connects us 'til birth
This cord can't be seen
By any on earth.


This cord does its work
Right from the start.
It binds us together
Attached to my heart.


I know that it's there
Though no one can see
The invisible cord
From my child to me.


The strength of this cord
Man could create
It withstands the test
Can hold any weight.


And though you are gone,
Though you're not here with me,
The cord is still there
But no one can see.


It pulls at my heart
I am bruised…. I am sore,
But this cord is my lifeline
As never before.


I am thankful that God
Connects us this way
A mother and child
Death can't take away!



The Day God Took You Home
Author Unknown
In tears we saw you sinking, and watched you pass away. 
Our hearts were almost broken, we wanted you to stay. 
But when we saw you sleeping, so peaceful, free from pain,
how could we wish you back with us, to suffer that again. 
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone,
for part of us went with you, the day God took you home. 



There Are No Words
Author Unknown
There are no words...what can I say?
At last her sweet soul winged its way


To peace and freedom in the sky
Where never again will she suffer or cry.


It's all part of God's great plan...
Which remains a mystery to man.


We cannot understand His ways
Nor can we count our earthly days


But who are we to question and doubt?
God knoweth well what He's about;


He knew she longed to "go to sleep"
Where only angels, a vigil keep.


The pain of living grew too great
No longer could she stay and wait.


She did not want to leave you, dear,
But she had finished here work down here.


So she closed her eyes and when she awoke,
These are the words the Master spoke...


"Welcome, dear child, you are home at last,
And now the burden of living is past"


"There's work for you in My Kingdome, dear
And you are needed and wanted here."


So weep not, she has just gone on ahead,
Don't think of her as being dead.


She's out of sight for a little while,
And you'll miss her touch and her little smile,


But you know she is safe in the home above
Where there is nothing but Peace and Love.


And, surely, you would not deny her peace...
And you're glad that she has found release


Think of her there as a soul that is free,
And home at last, where she wanted to be.



They Say There is a Reason
Author Unknown
They say there is a reason,
They say that time will heal,
But neither time nor reason,
Will change the way I feel,
For no-one knows the heartache,
That lies behind our smiles,
No-one knows how many times,
We have broken down and cried,
We want to tell you something,
So there won't be any doubt,
You're so wonderful to think of,
But so hard to be without.



Tiny Angel
Author Unkown
Tiny Angel rest your wings
Sit with me awhile.
How I long to hold your hand,
And see your tender smile.


Tiny Angel, look at me,
I want this image clear....
That I will forget your precious face
Is my biggest fear.


Tiny Angel can you tell me,
Why you have gone away?
You weren't here for very long...
Why is it you couldn't stay?


Tiny Angel shook his head,
"These things I do not know...
But I do know you loved me,
And that I loved you so."



Tiny Footprints
Author Unknown
These are my footprints,
so perfect and so small.
These tiny footprints
never touched the ground at all.
Not one tiny footprint,
for now I have wings.
These tiny footprints were meant
for other things.
You will hear my tiny footprints,
in the patter of the rain.
Gentle drops like angel's tears,
of joy and not from pain.
You will see my tiny footprints,
in each butterflies' lazy dance.
I'll let you know I'm with you,
if you just give me the chance.
You will see my tiny footprints,
in the rustle of the leaves.
I will whisper names into the wind,
and call each one that grieves.
Most of all, these tiny footprints,
are found on Mommy and Daddy's hearts.
'Cause even though I'm gone now,
We'll never truly part.



To All Parents
Author Unknown
"I'll lend you for a while a child of mine,"
He said.
"For you to love the while he lives and mourn for
when he's dead.
It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or
three,
But will you, till I call him back, take care of
him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you, and should
his stay be brief,
You'll have his lovely memories as solace for
your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay; since all from
earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there I
want this child to learn.
I've looked the wide world over in My search
for teachers true
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes
I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love, not think
the labor vain, Nor hate Me when I come to call to take him back again?"
I fancied that I that I heard them say, "Dear Lord,
Thy will be done!
For all the joy Thy child shall bring, the
risk of grief we run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll
love him while we may,
And for the happiness we've known, forever
grateful stay;
But should the angels call for him much sooner
than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and
try to understand.



To Mother and Father
Author Unknown
There's a corner up in heaven
Where the little babies play,
And our Blessed Mother watches
All throughout the live long day.
They're a happy lot, these babies
Sure the reason's very plain
For they've missed the world's contagion,
Came unscathed, without it's pain.
"Tis an angel band they call them
And you both should happy be
You're the parents of an angel
'Cause your baby's there you see.
Yes, and smiling down upon you
With an innocent sublime:
Waiting: watching for the parents
He will meet again in time.
You should never be rebellious
Rather thank a loving God
For your little guardian angel
As along life's way you plod,
With a faith that never falters
Clasping each the other's hand
Pledge yourselves to meet your baby
In that better happy land.



What Makes A Mother
Author Unknown
I thought of you and closed my eyes,
And prayed to God today.
I asked what makes a Mother,
And I know I heard him say:
A mother has a baby,
This we know is true.
But, God, can you be a mother,
When your baby's not with you?
Yes, you can he replied,
With confidence in his voice.
I give many women babies,
When they leave is not thier choice.
Some I send for a lifetime,
And others for a day.
And some I send to feel your womb,
But theres no need to stay.
I just don't understand this God,
I want my baby here.
He took a breath and cleared his throat,
And then I saw a tear.
I wish that I could show you,
What your child is doing today,
If you could see your child smile,
With other children who say:
We go to earth and learn our lessons,
Of love and life and fear.
My mommy loved me oh so much,
I got to come straight here.
I feel so lucky to have a mom,
Who had so much love for me.
I learned my lessons very quickly,
My mommy set me free.
I miss my mommy oh so much,
But I visit her each day.
When she goes to sleep,
On her pillow's where I lay.
I stroke her hair and kiss her cheek,
And whisper in her ear.
"Mommy don't be sad today, I'm your baby and I'm here."
So you see my dear sweet one,
Your children are okay
Your babies are here in My home
And this is where they'll stay
They'll wait for you with Me
Until your lessons there are through
And on the day that you come home
they'll be at the gates waiting for you
So now you see
What makes a Mother
It's the feeling in your heart
It's the love you had so much of
Right from the very start



When Sorrow Comes
Edgar Guest
When sorrow comes, as come it must,
In God a man must place his trust.


There is no power in mortal speech
The anguish of his soul to reach,


No voice, however sweet and low,
Can comfort him or ease the blow.


He cannot from his fellow men
Take strength that will sustain him then.


With all that kindly hands will do,
And all that love may offer, too,


He must believe throughout the test
That God has willed it for the best.


We who would be his friends are dumb;
Words from our lips but feebly come;


We feel, as we extend our hands,
That one Power only understands


And truly knows the reason why
So beautiful a soul must die.


We realize how helpless then
Are all the gifts of mortal men.


No words which we have power to say
Can take the sting of grief away -


That Power which marks the sparrow's fall
Must comfort and sustain us all.


When sorrow comes, as come it must,
In God, a man must place his trust.


With all the wealth which he may own,
He cannot meet the test alone,


And only he may stand serene
Who has a faith on which to lean.



When Tomorrow Starts Without Me
David M. Romano
When tomorrow starts without me,
and I’m not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes,
all filled with tears for me;


I wish so much you wouldn’t cry,
the way you did today,
while thinking of the many things,
we didn’t get to say.


I know how much you love me,
as much as I love you,
and each time that you think of me,
I know you’ll miss me too;


But when tomorrow starts without me,
please try to understand,
that an Angel came and called my name,
and took me by the hand,


and said my place was ready,
in heaven far above,
and that I’d have to leave behind,
all those I dearly love.


But as I turned to walk away,
a tear fell from my eye,
for all life, I’d always thought,
I didn’t want to die.


I had so much to live for,
so much yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
that I was leaving you.


I thought of all the yesterdays,
the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
and all the fun we had.


If I could relive yesterday,
just even for awhile,
I’d say goodbye and kiss you
and maybe see you smile.


But then I fully realized,
that this could never be,
for emptiness and memories,
would take the place of me.


And when I though of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
my heart was filled with sorrow.


But when I walked through heaven’s gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
from His great golden throne,


He said, "This is eternity,
and all I’ve promised you".
Today for life on earth is past,
but here it starts anew.


I promise no tomorrow,
but today will always last,
and since each day’s the same day,
there’s no longing for the past.


But you have been so faithful,
so trusting and so true.
Though there were times you did some things,
you knew you shouldn’t do.


But you have been forgiven
and now at last you’re free.
So won’t you take my hand
and share my life with me?


So when tomorrow starts without me,
don’t think we’re far apart,
for every time you think of me,
I’m right here, in your heart.



You’re Not Alone
Jeannie Sousa
We've never met yet we share a common bond.
Each of us held a child that now is gone.


You're searching for reasons why?


I wish I could tell you how.
But no one has the answers right now.


Knowing far to well just what you are going through.
It wasn't that long ago
Someone was there for me.
If you need me, I'll be there for you.


You are not alone


Through restless hours of sorrow and pain
As tears keep falling like rain.


How could it be so suddenly?


You're not alone


Lord knows you are not to blame
Feeling life just isn't the same.


You're not alone

Hours turn into days.
Days turn into years.
The memory of your precious baby never disappears.


Behind each storm there's a rainbow.
Beyond the clouds skies are blue.


You ask me, When I say I do.
If you need me, I'll be there for you.


You're not alone


Through restless hours of sorrow and pain
As tears keep falling like rain...


And though your storm has just begun,
Keep watching for the rainbow...


It will come.



Thursday, July 22, 2010

Pretty Pictures

Whitney Piano


I am missing my girl a lot today.  Missing a lot of the fun things we should have gotten to do, and the fun things we should be doing. 


My dear friend got this beautiful necklace for me a while ago.  Its from a store called “The Vintage Pearl.”  I’ve bought several gifts for people from here and I LOVE every single thing they have!  And their prices are great, too.  I bought my sister this adorable mamma bird necklace, with two little pearls (one representing each of her girls). 


Mamabird


 The Vintage Pearl is opening its first store-front location (as in, not online) and they had a contest for people to submit pictures of their favorite Vintage Pearl jewelry.  So these are a couple of the pictures I took of Whitney’s necklace.  They just kind of make me happy.  J  Oh, and the necklace I have is called “Cup of Love.” 


VP-Whitney1[1]



Monday, July 19, 2010

Faces of Loss


Sheyenne W1
 A fellow babyloss mamma (BLM), Kristin (Stevie Joy's mom) has started an incredible project called "Faces of Loss, Faces of Hope: Putting a Face on Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Infant Loss."  It is an incredible idea... every face, every woman, every story represents a precious child who is missing from our lives.  Our stories represent so many things.... pain, loss, sorrow, grief, dreams unrealized, interrupted parenthood, incomplete families, longings for heaven, hope, strength, courage, faith and healing.  HERE is OUR STORY

Talking about grief-- and especially grief as it relates to pregnancy and infant loss is so taboo.  But as the quote on this website says, "Whenever a taboo is broken, something good happens..."  I have yet to meet a fellow BLM who has not been hurt by people in the midst of their grief.  Grieving people hurt, our grief changes us.  Its not always a bad thing in the end, but we are forever different.  And its a process... we probably don't act how you might think we "should."  Grief has a way of leveling the playing field for everyone... it doesn't matter if you're a high-level businesswoman, a kindergarten teacher, a top-selling real estate agent, a pastor's wife or a nurse.  When your child dies, the rules and politics go out the window.  It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, because your baby is no longer here.  And in the end, you're the only one who will really, truly live that reality. And really, when a baby dies along with all your hopes and dreams for her, is there really a guidebook for how we should act??  I don't think so.  

And that's what is so beautiful about Kristin's new project... I am so glad we could be a part of it and share Whitney's story.  It is a beautiful, freeing and healing thing to know that we are not alone.  Though it often feels like it, especially when our daily surroundings are full of "shoulds" and "shouldn'ts" in our grief...it doesn't matter.  We're not alone.  And these are the faces of hope that help remind me of that...

FACES OF LOSS, FACES OF HOPE.



Tuesday, July 13, 2010

From the Kirschners

A friend and dorm-mate from college just sent me this picture for Whitney's name gallery-- I love it!  It was taken in their backyard... I love the evaporating footprints around it that just yell "SUMMERTIME!" to me.  Love it.  Thank you, friend for taking time out of your busy day (with three little ones!) to think about us and Whitney.  Love you!




Kirschners




 


You can see the rest of Whitney's Name Gallery pictures by clicking the photo below:






And if you're wondering what's up with this name thing, click HERE.  :-)



New Stuff...

So I've added some new stuff here on Whit's blog that I thought I'd let y'all know about...

I've added some new blog buttons that link to our photo albums.  They're on the left hand side of the blog, but here they are again (you can click on them to go to the different photo albums, which I've also cleaned up a bit):


Name Gallery buttonBirth PicsMaternity Pics

I've also added a new page at the top called "Resources".  I've chosen to include the resources that I personally used/am using, just because there are SO MANY resources available I didn't really know where to being.  Plus, I don't have personal experience with some of the resources out there, so I only wanted to recommend what I know to be good.  But, each of the websites I list have additional pages FULL of other resources that I am sure are very helpful.  They have some pretty extensive and specific pages of helpful links and information.  So click over to the RESOURCE page and check it out.  And just for fun (because I had a good time making all the pretty buttons) here they are (again, click on them to go to the websites):

Angel Babies Button 
Hinds Hospice button Baby Center Button StringOfPearlsButton 


   
 



Monday, July 12, 2010

Resources

There were so many wonderful people who came into our lives when we found out Whitney was sick.  People we didn’t even know began emailing me and calling, wanting to offer their support and services.  Each of these resources has their own page of information with even more links to helpful pages.  If you are here looking for resources for yourself or a loved one who has received an adverse prenatal diagnosis, I HIGHLY recommend taking some time on each of these websites.  I hope that you will be able to find the tools and resources you need to help make the time you have with your baby as precious as it can be.  These are also excellent sources of support for healing and dealing with grief after your little one has left your arms.  


Click on the icons to be directed to the websites.





Angel Babies Button  
Angel Babies Info- Heather, the founder of this site has become such and incredible friend and source of comfort and support to me.  She started this website in honor of her little girl, Elizabeth. She has an excellent downloadable booklet {FREE} that is filled with memory-making ideas, as well as healing from the grief.  This booklet also has very practical information about what to expect at delivery, and how to best prepare for that.  She is also the one who sent me the beautiful, teeny tiny gown for Whitney to wear.  She sent me the gown and bonnet, along with the matching mommy and baby bracelets you can see in some of my pictures.  Heidi has a group of volunteers who get together periodically to make these gowns and bracelets so they have a stash ready to be shipped out whenever someone needs one.   Angel Babies Info has an excellent resource page full of information.  






Hinds Hospice button  
Angel Babies of Hinds Hospice- This is a local resource for people who live around the Central Valley of California.  Before Whitney was born, we met with one of their social workers who is also the founder of Angel Babies, Kathy.  She was a great resource, and offered to connect us with people at the hospital to give us a personal tour before Whitney was born.  Unfortunately, Whitney came early and we didn’t get to do that tour, but Kathy did call the hospital before we delivered Whitney and made sure that we had the best nurse possible for our delivery.  This was such an amazing God-send... You have no idea how great our nurse was to us!  Hinds Hospice also offers grief counseling and support groups to grieving parents and families.  




Baby Center Button  
Baby Center Community-
This is a public online community group... When I first found out I was pregnant, I was eagerly looking up all things about pregnancy and came across Baby Center.  I became “online friends” with several of them.  Once we found out Whitney was sick, I found a whole group of women who had similar experiences.  This has been such a blessing... Even though I’ve never met any of these women in person, we all have babies in heaven.  They know more than anyone what it feels like to have empty arms and a broken heart.  This is a great group for support.  Its also a great place to read the real stories and hear from women who decided to carry despite doctors’ recommendations to terminate.  If you find yourself in a situation where termination has been recommended because of an adverse prenatal diagnosis, this is a great place to go for some perspective that most doctors fail to provide.  It is absolutely worth it!






StringOfPearlsButtonString of Pearls- Laura started this website in honor of her little girl, Pearl.  Laura has been an AMAZING support to me, and continues to be such a source of joy and strength to me.  As soon as I contacted her, she sent me a box full of memory-making supplies... Paint, an ornament, hand and foot mold clay, a memory book, tiny hat, journal and devotional (along with a few other “mommy goodies”).  This was such an amazing gesture of love.  Laura’s website is beautiful and also has an extensive page of further, more detailed resources.  Because Laura meets so many people through her website, she was able to connect me to another mom who lost her baby to Triploidy.  This connection has turned into a kindred spirits kind of friendship and has truly been the single greatest blessing to my heart throughout this entire process!