Loving Through Loss: Day 16

BLOG SHARES

photo from Our City Lights

In a lot of ways, the stories other people were able to write are what helped me the most. Not only did they touch very close to home for me, but they also encouraged me to share my story without feeling ashamed.

I first met Diana La Counte when we were placed in a online community group. From the first time I met with her, I immediately admired thoughts and outlook on life. Even after losing her first child after carrying him for 40+ weeks, her positivity and love still exudes in both her posts & real life, two things I had a hard time with honestly. Again, I urge you to read her story and insight on loss because it's inspiring.

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Loving Through Loss: Day 15

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

photo taken by Sam Grable

When we were told of Charlotte's diagnosis, I prayed for a miracle. When the doctors told us it was most likely lethal, we still hoped they were wrong. To be honest, I remember a number of times pleading with God to take me and save her because as a parent I just wanted to save my child's life. But in December of 2012, Charlotte took her last breath and I was left empty handed & full of guilt.

Still today, three years later, I think about what I could have done differently to save Charlotte. And I think this is a common feeling when one loses someone close to them. Guilt can be debilitating and hard to accept. Be prepared to let someone process why they are still here and their loved one isn't, but remind them they are still here for a reason and it is not their fault.

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Loving Through Loss: Day 14

RESOURCES

photo taken by our NILMDTS photographer, Jamie Forsythe

This week's resource is one that was priceless for us because of something we did BEFORE we said goodbye to Charlotte. And honestly, we almost decided against all together. But thankfully we allowed Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS) to come in and photograph some of Charlotte's last moments here on Earth (you can see some of those here).

As a non-profit, NILMDTS has created a free service of remembrance photography for parents suffering the loss of a baby through a network of professional photographers all over the country. And while this resource is primarily before loss has taken place, they have resources & services for families after loss as well. This wasn't something we thought about having done in the moment, but today, these photos are some of our prized possession because they are last photos we have of our baby girl.

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