In January 2010, our very first program and heart of our organization began to form. Through the Walk to Remember event, we hope to give families a place to celebrate their baby publicly, and assist them in the healing process, through connecting them with others facing a similar loss. With great care, the annual Walk to Remember event was created implementing elements that would facilitate gentle remembrance and heartfelt celebration. The day, from registration to the picnic, was planned with YOUR baby, your family, and your journey in mind. We know the day is one of great emotions, often conflicting and overwhelming. We see the mommy, having experienced a recent loss, holding her hand over her mouth desperately trying to silence her sobs as she cannot hold all the despair and pain she feels in. We watch with such respectful agony at the daddy standing behind his partner, holding her up with his jaw clenched as he tries to be her rock and strength, while he barely is able to keep it together himself. We see the grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who breathe with hesitant confidence knowing that they are finally DOING something to support you through your tragedy. We see the tentative smiles and looks of great love of returning mommies carrying their rainbow babies, knowing that no child can replace the one they lost but trying to wade through this uncharted territory. We take such great honor in reading your babys name aloud. There really are no words to express the true treasure it is to do so. We are careful to say their name clearly and loudly pronouncing it with the respect it deserves. Yet it is so hard when we see you shaking, crying, and smiling, as you for first or fifth time hear that name that you love and adore spoken for the hundreds in attendance to hear. We smile with you as you walk the route, releasing the tension you felt during the ceremony. We love the pride you have in your eyes as you see your sweet babys poster displayed for the community to see. Our hearts lift with you as, even with tears, you release your balloon among the hundreds of others and for maybe the first time in months you do not feel so alone. It soothes our soul to see you laughing, eating, and enjoying the afternoon with a picnic with those who came to offer you comfort. We cherish your hugs and kind words of appreciation wishing you would know what it means to us that you so generously gave us the honor of getting to know your baby. We know for those of you who will be attending for the first time are nervous. We know you are anxious not knowing what to expect. We know you are trying to anticipate how you will feel, how you will react, and how will you make it through the morning. We know you have second guessed coming a hundreds times since you registered. We know. We have been there. We know it is scary. We know this journey you are on is so personal and private, but please know this day is for YOU and YOUR baby. It is our deepest hope, that like the many who have attended before you, you will feel a sense of comfort and healing in knowing you are not alone and that your baby has made in impact on not just your family but our community, as well. For those who have come years prior, we are looking forward to seeing you again, meeting the new members of your family, watching you bloom with love and acceptance as you begin to heal and breathe easier as time has given you the allowance to remember with more joy than utter heartbreak. With our 5th annual event just weeks away, it is so bittersweet to have had the honor to remember over 380 babies since 2010. These babies, YOUR babies, are precious beyond words. They hold such sacred places in our hearts, and they have changed who we are and to acknowledge them for you is one of the great priveleges of our lives. There are no words to express our gratitude to the donors, fundraisers, and sponsors who make this event possible. Not only have you given us the opportunity to honor our sons in such a meaningful way, you have given HUNDREDS of families a day in which they can purposefully and openly, without reserve, celebrate and remember the joy, the love, and the happiness their babies have given them while simultaneously being able to grief all that they lost. Your contributions have made a difference for these families in a profound way. Thank you. We invite all who have attended or are planning to attend a Walk to Remember event, to please share your story and baby with those who have made it possible year after year by sharing your experience in the comments below. There may just be a giveaway for those who do ;) With the series conclusion of our programs, we want to personally thank each of you who have attended an event, been a recipient of one of our programs, donated, volunteered, and have shared your babies with us. Truly, there are no words. It is our honor and privilege. Amanda and Sarah Founders of Walk to Remember, IE vimeo/78231057
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 16:18:45 +0000
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