I have been writing down Shyla's story, but it is so hard to put certain things into words. I know grief is a process and so is writing, so it may take a little longer than I expected to put it down on paper. I pray that I can find the words to accurately express everything we have felt and experienced.
So, for now, I will just write about where I am now.
I am working on a project that will hopefully help other parents that find themselves in a place no one wants to be, trying to cope with the loss of their baby. The hospital we were at was very helpful, but there were still things that would have been nice to have during our stay there. So, Ben and I are putting together care baskets to take to the hospital to give to parents when they find themselves with empty arms. These baskets will contain certain things that will hopefully make their hospital stay and the following days easier.
Some things I would like to include are:
~ extra soft tissues
~ two small matching stuffed animals, one for the parents to keep and one to leave with the baby
~ nursing pads- no mom who has just lost their baby will want to go to the store to buy these, but may still need them
~ a cloth handkerchief
~ some kindness cards
~ a special bereavement book for parents with pregnancy loss
I am also putting together a resource booklet to help with funeral planning. It will contain names and phone numbers of local funeral homes, a funeral planning checklist, lyrics to songs that they could play, poems and scriptures that could be read and creative ways to remember their child. Planning Shyla’s service was one of the hardest things we have ever had to do, so I hope I can help by providing these resources all in one spot.
These baskets are still a work in progress, but I think it is my way of helping others in their time of indescribable loss. Please be praying that I can put the right things in them to minister to these families and give them hope.
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not dissapoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:3-5
5 comments:
That is beautiful and such a generous thing to do. So caring!! Make sure you take time for you. Grief knows no timetable. Take each day, day by day. Most importantly take care of you.
I think this is an amazing thing you are doing. I wish I could do something like this or help you do in some way. And as Jessica said, definitely make time to take care of you.
I think your care basket idea is absolutely wonderful. It is so amazing that you would think of something like that when you are going through all this heartache. You must be a very special person.
I am so very sorry for your loss.
Sarah
I think this is such an awesome thing to do! I work in the OB department of a local hospital, and I'll be the first to admit that we don't have a lot of resources to give parents who have had to go through this situation. Thank you so much for thinking of these families in your grief!
It is so amazing that you are thinking about others in your time of loss. You are a great person! I think the baskets are a great idea.
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