October 15 is the International Remembrance Day of Pregnancy and Infant Loss. At 7pm in each timezone around the world, parents, family and friends will be lighting a candle for an hour in memory of their lost loved ones.
Many of you know that my sister lost her first baby, her daughter, at 39 weeks in January. Ariella Jade was the tallest baby I’ve ever seen, with her mummy’s long fingers and her daddy’s nose. Grief is a strange thing, especially as an aunt. At first you grieve the loss of your niece or nephew, before moving into a neverending grief for your sister and her pain. Add in being a mother yourself, and then the thousands of kilometres distance between us, and my heart has some very heavy days. Today being one.
Next month is my sister’s birthday, a day she has been dreading to experience as a significant day without Ariella. Instead of gifts, she is asking people to donate towards a Camera Kit that Heartfelt Australia are organising for hospitals. Heartfelt is a fantastic organisation through which professional photographers donate their time and skills to taking photos of parents and their little stillborn babies. But unfortunately, there are times when there just isn’t someone available to do so. These camera kits will provide quality photographic gear specifically chosen for the settings/lighting and means that grieving parents can still get quality photos to remember their precious babies.
I’m sharing this with you, because when I asked for your help earlier in the year, I was overwhelmed with support, love and prayers. I am asking once more, if you are willing and able, to consider even just a few dollars in donation in honour of today, in honour of the babies forever captured by Heartfelt, and so that more babies may be photographed for their mummies and daddies.
UPDATE: If you would prefer to PayPal a donation, just leave a comment and I’ll reply via email with my sister’s PayPal address to send it directly to her and she will transfer it that way. And having hit the target for 1 camera kit within hours, now we’re aiming for 2!
mrs d says
will you please send me paypal info. thanks
cnyda (at) me (dot) com
Flying Blind says
xxxx
Susie says
I donate to a local church that makes beautiful sleeping bags for those little bubbas born too early. Something you really only find out about regrettably when you have to. I gave birth (via c-section) to our son at 18 weeks gestation and am forever grateful to those who care. I feel so much for your sister. The first child must be incredibly hard to bear. We were fortunate to have already been blessed with a beautiful girl and we soon found in our grief that life does not stop for a two yr old. You will never forget your niece or her milestones. Six years on and Not a day goes by that I don’t think about our little man. Big hugs to you and your sister.
Larissa says
Hi Susie,
I’m Alyce’s sister. I’m so sorry that you lost your son 🙁