October Is.....

"There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. " -Edith Wharton

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

In the spirit of being open, honest, and vocal....I feel so very compelled and moved to write about this very special month. I ask for you to read this post, and honor the request I am going to make at the end of my sermon. If HALF of the fantastic readers of this little blog complete the request, we will have an amazing and beautiful output and tribute to share with the world. Together we can change the world. Together we are strong.

Here is a little bit of the history behind it all:

In 1988, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month throughout the United States noting that, “National Observance of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month offers us the opportunity to increase our understanding of the great tragedy involved in the deaths of unborn and newborn babies. It also enables us to consider how, as individuals and communities, we can meet the needs of bereaved parents and family members and work to prevent causes of these problems….”

He went on to say....

"When a child loses a parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses his or her partner, they are called a widow or a widower. When parents lose their child, there isn't a word to describe them.  This month recognizes the loss experienced by so many parents in the United States and around the world.  It is also meant to inform and provide resources for parents who have lost children due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, stillbirth, birth defects, SIDS, and other causes."

Ronald Reagan, YOU are a rock star.

However, I respectfully challenge the following statement (with all do respect Mr. President): "When parents lose their child, there isn't a word to describe them". The truth is that there are actually wonderful words to describe them. MOM AND DAD.  They are parents to an angel, and just because their child is not here, does not mean they do not deserve and need to be called by those very special titles.

This month happens for a reason. It is a silent month, that often goes unnoticed. I have learned that pregnancy and infant loss is often something that women (and men too) rarely, if ever, talk about. It is a loss on a different level, and it happens to more Mama's and Daddy's than you can imagine. We must recognize, respect and honor this month.

It happened to us. It is a part of our life. It always will be.

Here is the ribbon used to symbolize Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. I love this ribbon. I love how it is blue and pink :) I think my favorite part is the motto, "We Remember". How completely and totally appropriate.

We remember.

We remember every day.

We remember for the rest of our lives.

Here is my request.

October 15 is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day.

The Low Down.....

"The resolution to declare October 15 Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day passed the United States House of Representatives on September 28, 2006. In honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, it is suggested by many bereavement groups that grieving parents light a candle at 7 p.m. in their respective time zones to create a wave of light around the world in memory of babies lost to pregnancy and infant loss."

What do we want?

We want you to light a candle at 7 pm next Monday, October 15.  We want you to light a candle and take a picture of it. We want you to send your photo to us.

Help us heal, love and grow by lighting a candle.

If you are reading this, I am sure you can think of a number of Mama's and Daddy's out there who have lost the love of their life. I ask you to think about each and every one of them as you light a candle in their honor. If you are a Mama or a Daddy who has an angel or angels in heaven, light that candle and light it real good.

It takes just a second to light a candle.

If you can't light a candle, I think there is even an app where you can have lit candle take over your screen on your phone. Just screen shot that....and voila! Done.

Spread the light by lighting a candle.

Spread the light by sharing this blog or just tell someone about Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Ask them to light a candle.

Be a candle AND a mirror.

 They call this candle lighting ceremony a "candle tidal wave". I like to believe that it will be a "candle tsunami". WE raised $10,000 for the JND Camper Scholarship Fund, now why would this be any different?! We can do this.

Here is my e-mail for all those photos! Bring it.

emily.deloach@hotmail.com

I want to put all the photos into a blog and slideshow, and that way we all can see the "digital tidal wave" later on in the month. If this works out like I think it will, it should be quite breathtaking and a beautiful tribute to all the angel babies and their loving parents. If it does not go like I hope, then well....this time next week....you could be staring at a blog post with a single candle lit. Just sayin'. Lets all join together and do this.

**If you would like for me to mention anything with the photo, please note that in your e-mail. If you want complete privacy, that is what you will get unless you specify otherwise.**

Remember:

Be a candle.

Be a mirror. Pass It On. Spread your light.

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Your love and support means the world to us!


We Remember.

We Love.

Always and Forever.

Love to all you love in the world,

Emily and Russ