I've always been pretty open about my experience throughout the years with pregnancy loss (three in total), in hopes that it could help someone in some way. It's a topic that seems pretty taboo, people tend to get twitchy and distant when you bring it up. Of course, this makes me bring it up in hopes that they begin to feel a bit less uncomfortable by the end of the conversation. It doesn't seem to matter whether you've battled with infertility, or already have children and experience a pregnancy loss. I myself, have dealt with both (two losses before my boys and one after). They each hurt equally and take the same emotional toll on a famly. I can't tell you how many times I've heard an insensitive (albeit well meaning) comment like: "At least you had two already". Grrrrrrr.
All life is important and should be acknowledged, it doesn't matter whether you suffered early pregnancy loss, late term loss, still birth or child loss. Which brings me to my point!
In late May I posted openly about a dear friend and fellow blogger Lindsay from You Are The Roots and how she tragically lost her beautiful baby girl Wylie in her third trimester from congenital heart failure. Lindsay is quite possibly one of the best moms I know who gives selflessly in a capacity that can only be described as superhuman. Never would I ever have imagined she could have experienced something so tragic. But that's the point, grief knows no distinction. These experiences happen to everyday families, and they need support.
Every year Lindsay takes part in a blog-a-thon, an online marathon of sorts. She participates by blogging every half hour for 24 hours straight, in hopes of bringing awareness to a specific cause and gaining sponsors to donate to that cause. This year naturally, she is blogging for The Compassionate Friends. It's an incredible organization that provides grief support to families who have experienced pregnancy or child loss.
The Mission of The Compassionate Friends: When a child dies, at any age, the family suffers intense pain and may feel hopeless and isolated. The Compassionate Friends provides highly personal comfort, hope, and support to every family experiencing the death of a son or a daughter, a brother or a sister, or a grandchild, and helps others better assist the grieving family.
Blogathon 2014 will will kick off at 8:00 a.m. EST on November 22nd, 2014 and will come to a close at 8:00 a.m. EST on November 23rd, 2014. 100% of the proceeds will go directly to this organization! You can donate here. Donations will be accepted up until the very end of the Blogathon, but the earlier you donate, the more raffles you'll be eligible for!
Yes, there are prizes! For info and updates on all the eligible prizes click here.
I have already donated and hope you will too, every donation counts! You can learn more about Lindsay and her beautiful baby girl Wylie Meadow.
"Someday we may see a woman king"
- Iron & Wine
Essentially Yours,
Erika
Although we escaped this experience, it was a very possible reality and we spent a lot of time in contemplation and grief over what was to be or not to be. Riley's Hope was instrumental in our perseverance during our 101 days in the hospital and we ended up donating my wedding dress to the Mary Madeline project. Will make a donation now to The Compassionate Friends in honor of Wylie Meadow.
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