I’m Not The Mom I Dreamed I’d Be

By: Rachael Fast This topic seemed so easy to write about, however, as I sit to write, my mind goes blank. How do I write about something that is all I’ve ever known, as far as parenting goes? My first baby girl, Elaina Hope was stillborn at 40 weeks in March 2011. She was my…

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The Journey of Parenting After Loss

By: Jennifer Haake Parenting is tricky.  You question yourself and every single decision you make. You worry.  You worry about everything.  Are they happy?  Are they emotionally cared for? Am I giving them everything they need to become successful adults? The list is endless. As a bereaved parent with surviving children, the self-doubt and worry are exacerbated.…

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Grieving Honestly: Parenting After Loss

By: Brooke Taylor Duckworth A few weeks ago, I was ushering my daughter out of a crowded waiting room where she had been making small talk with an older woman. I overheard her talking about her little sister. As I opened the door and reached for her hand, she turned to the woman, who was…

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Letters to Hope

By: Robin Busekrus This Christmas, my mother-in-law gave me a journal.  On the front cover there is the word Hope.  My mother-in-law said, “I know how much you enjoy to write.  I thought you would like this for writing about Hope.”   At that moment, I did not know what I would write in the journal.…

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My Dearest Dolly

By: Heather West My dearest Dolly, How do I put into words the many ways you changed my life? There is so much I want to say to you, but I was not granted with the blessing of telling you in person. Instead I am forced to unwillingly put on layers upon layers, bundle up,…

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A Letter to My Daugther

By: Kathleen Berg Dear Valerie, Your Birthday is almost upon us again. This time of year is incredibly hard to get through. It is hard to believe that almost eight years ago you came into this world, were here but two short hours, and were quickly gone. I stared upon your face and only held…

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Dear Hadley

By: Leslie Steele Dear Hadley, It’s been 19 months. 19 months ago we got to meet you and be amazed by you. We always knew you were special, incredible really, but meeting you just confirmed it. Daddy and I switch off between imagining you as you would be here at this age and what life…

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On Love, Loss and Having Babies

By: Anna Eastland It’s funny that what people so often emphasize about babies is how much work they are. How they will take over your life and make it difficult. How they should generally be avoided in order to live a life of comfort and success. But I can honestly say that the hardest thing…

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Ten Years Later: Reflections, Memories and Hope

By: Vicki Kiefer, Share Accounting Manager   Ten years ago, seven months after our second early pregnancy loss, my husband and I attended our first Share Walk for Remembrance and Hope.  I don’t remember much of what was said at the memorial service, and that year we had not yet included our babies’ names to…

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NOTHING, When I Actually Had Everything!

By Heather Glennon   My husband Sam and I lost our sweet baby boy, Travis at 38 weeks gestation in July 2016.  I remember that day in July so vividly!  The last day I felt him move was July 15. We took a walk down Main Street in our home town, went to our favorite spot…

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