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Sunday, September 23, 2007

Collect the tears....

Today I received an email from a nurse at the hospital that I have donated my boxes to. I am sad to announce that 5 of my boxes have already been handed out to parents who have lost a child.

I have 7 boxes here that I am going to put together and hopefully have them ready to deliver in the next couple weeks. What better timing than the fact the anniversary of my daughter's due date (October 30, 2005) is coming up. I am hoping to paint these boxes this time as they are just plain right now.

Here are a couple lines from the email I received today:



Susan has shared some of your comments and I am so grateful that you have been able to share them with her. Some of the helpful comments included:

-the suggestion of offering the family to bath their baby. It has never occurred to me that anyone would be interested in doing so. I am so glad you have opened my eyes to this possibility. I can easily see that this could be offered to the families and should be quite easy to facilitate in many situations.

-recognizing that the family is in a very "numb" state and asking for assistance is very difficult. I am referring to two of your comments here.

  • 1. You described a nurse taking your daughter from your arms and putting
    her in a bassinette where she remained for a length of time. This is time you
    would have liked to have the opportunity to be holding her or perhaps your
    husband may have been encouraged to hold her.
  • 2. You also mentioned that you had a camera in your purse and may have
    liked the opportunity to take more pictures. This is again something that has
    never occurred to me.

Your comments are so very insightful and helpful. I hope we can continue to chat as I look forward to hearing more of your comments and suggestions.

Unfortunately, in early September, we had many losses and have given your treasures to 5 families already. It was so heartwarming to be able to present the families with such a beautiful gift. I hope you realize how many people you are helping. The item that brings the most comments is the "tissue to collect the tears". I receive many comments about that.

This is why I am so inspired to do these boxes. These parents are unable to have a lifetime of memories with their child... they deserve the chance to make as many memories as they can in the short period of time they have.

10 comments:

Jo said...

Ter... what a great email. It must make you proud to have touched someone so deeply. To have educated an "outsider" is a tremendous feat.

Keep up the good work, Girl!

Jo

Anonymous said...

Wow...that is absolutely beautiful. I'm so glad that your suggestions are being so eagerly accepted and that the treasure boxes are helping so many already...yes, it is sad they have to receive them, but those parents would be in the same heartbreaking situation with or without the boxes. With is definitely more helpful. Great job Ter!! (((HUGS)))

Shea said...

You should feel proud. You're inpsiring me to do something.

Sarah Guckes said...

That's so great...you are really honoring Tyla in such a special way. I'm sure she is so proud of her mommy!

Anonymous said...

*tears* What a wonderful way to honor Tyla and help other grieving families. I know how much of a difference it makes to have someone who's been in our shoes guide us thru those first few hours and days. Good job, Ter, you're doing a great thing.

Quinn said...

You have me in tears.

Tyla and 'boo' were due very close. Our due date is October 31st. Just around the corner for both of us.

Allison said...

See. Keep it up. Re-read that email as often as you need to so that you are reminded, when you are feeling low, that you have made a difference in someone's lives.

Anonymous said...

Wow! You are amazing! The thought of these boxes breaks my heart. I have had 2 miscarriages recently, but I wasn't very far along. I can hardly imagine the pain of your. It's wonderful that you are making these to help those who go through what you have!

Anonymous said...

Terri,
I think that it is wonderful that they have appreciated and have been kind to pass out your boxes.

I am so proud of you for getting these done.
Good job!!

Anonymous said...

WONDERUL! My eyes are flooded with tears and I can't see what I'm typing so I am going to leave it at that!