Choose Hope 2016

The pain of losing a child, whether to miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss, is among the most agonizing of sorrows.  Whether your loss occurred many years ago or very recently, the ache you carry in your heart is heavy indeed.  There is nothing that can prepare you for the devastation of losing a child, and there are no words that can take away the pain that results.   But dear one, your grief does not need to be carried alone.

For the past ten years, our nation has officially recognized October 15 as an opportunity to honor and remember our precious babies who have gone home before us, and to spread awareness of the tragedy that befalls 1 in 4 women.  And today, countries all over the world recognize Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day through balloon releases, candlelight vigils, memorial services, and other commemorative events.

In 1988, President Ronald Reagan made this profound proclamation as he declared October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month:

“Each year, approximately a million pregnancies in the United States end in miscarriage, stillbirth, or the death of the newborn child. 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… I call upon the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.”

And in 2006, the United States House of Representatives voted to recognize October 15 as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. 

Will you join us as we acknowledge National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day in honor of the precious babies who are now with the Lord and their parents whose hearts ache with a longing to see them again?

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Here’s how one group of Hope Moms and their families met together for a balloon release to honor the lives of their little ones:

“October 15^th, National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, is such a special day when you have a baby in heaven.  It’s a day set aside to honor both the babies that are with the Lord and the parents and families that are grieving and eagerly anticipating the day when they can see and hold their little ones again.  The first time I took part in an event for October 15 was two years ago.  I was part of an in-person and online Hope Group with other moms from my central Texas town, Temple, during the fall semester.  We decided to have a balloon release and candle lighting together with our group, but invited other moms in the area to participate, too.  We created a facebook event to get the word out and shared with our family and friends. 

The night came, and we all met together in a lovely park, and got busy writing sweet notes on our balloons.  I could feel God’s presence as we stood in a large circle, some of us having met for the very first time that night, sharing the names of our babies that we were honoring with both tears and smiles.  It was so beautiful to hear each name so lovingly spoken, and I loved getting to share about my son Caleb. 

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After we shared, we prayed together and had a beautiful balloon release as we all watched our balloons float away against the gorgeous sky. 

After that, we lit candles that we wrote our babies names on, and had a precious time to be in the presence of our Lord with our friends and family. 

Even though I have experienced this before at other Hope Mommies events, it never ceases to amaze me how incredibly special it is to have time set aside to honor our babies in a place where everyone understands and loves to hear about them.  It is so sweet to get to thank God for these precious lives together, and I’m so thankful that we have a special day set aside to get to do so.   I’d love to encourage you to be involved this year on October 15.  Find an event to be a part of, or even consider starting your own tradition with a group or with close loved ones.  Let’s flood the skies together!”

-Emily C
Hope Mom to Caleb William

“In 2015, we saw the second October 15th since two of our babies went to heaven. The first year, we observed solely within our family. It was emotional, and we talked a lot about heaven with our living children. We were still trying to breathe after a hard few months. Then, in 2015, we decided to join our local Hope Mommies community release.

On the morning of the planned balloon release, I was talking with the lady blowing up the balloons. Throughout the conversation, I tried to avoid any questions about the significance of the balloons. However, God gently directed the conversation, and I ultimately shared that we had two babies waiting for us in heaven. This precious stranger was so sweet, compassionate, and not awkward at all, and recognized how the little baby I was holding was such a blessing. He is the younger sibling to our two hope babies in heaven. She was actually familiar with the significance of the day. She then blew a kiss to the balloons, and said “Mmm, sending them off with love.” It was so very obvious she meant it.

 

As we met with families from the surrounding community, there were many that I didn’t know. But, I could look into their eyes and there was that knowing bond. As I looked around, there were tears, there were hugs, there were smiles, there were stories shared. Everyone has a story. God is weaving it together in ways we may never understand. As we released a flood of balloons into the sky to remember and honor our babies, I prayed. I prayed for hope.

Hope in the One who will redeem every bit of this life one glorious day. Hope of sitting in the presence of our God and Savior one day. I choose hope!”

-Jennifer J
Hope Mom to Teeny and Tiny

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Invite your friends and family to join you and meet together on October 15 to release balloons. Wear your Choose Hope shirts [Grab your October 15 t-shirts and sweatshirts –> HERE only on sale until Sept. 23] write on the balloons, play music, sing, say a prayer, and remember together… let’s bring awareness to this silent grief that affects so many women and families every day.

Don’t forget to take a photo of yourself or your group and share it using #HopeMommiesOct15.  

How are you honoring your babies this October 15?  We’d love to hear how you shared hope and remembered our precious babies on this day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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