Olivia of May: Tiny Footprints

Have you recently lost a baby?

The first person you should contact is your local SHARE representative - even if, and especially if, you have not had your baby yet. She will talk to you about what to expect, come to the hospital with you if you'd like, dress your baby in special premature-sized clothes if applicable, let you know of support group meetings and activities if you wish, and give you an over all huge helping hand. To find your local SHARE representative click here to visit The National SHARE Office's website, or call 1-800-821-6819. Also, I am here to help. I would love to talk with you. Contact me here. From there we can exchange phone numbers if you wish. Please don't go through this alone. So many people want to help.

How To Be Removed From Baby Product Mailing Lists

A letter to the following address will stop about 75% of baby related mail during the first year after a baby's death: Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008. Parents who wish to have their names removed from baby product lists should write to: Direct Marketing Association, Mail Reference Service, 6 East 43rd Street, NYC, NY 10017. To remove your name from the Gerber Baby Products mailing list write to : Gerber Products, 445 State Street, Fremont, MI 48413 or call (616) 928-2000.

Other Helpful Books

"Coping With Miscarriage" by Mimi Luebbermann
"Empty Arms: Hope and Support for Those Who Have Suffered a Miscarriage, Stillbirth or Tubal Pregnancy" by Pam Vredevelt
"Empty Cradle, Broken Heart: Surviving the Death of Your Baby" by Deborah L. Davis, PhD
"Grieving the Child I Never Knew" by Kathe Wunneberg
"I Can't Find a Heartbeat" by Melissa Sexson Hanson
"I’ll Hold You In Heaven Remembrance Book" by Debbie Heydrick
"Letters to Gabriel" by Karen Garver Santorum
"Miscarriage: What Every Women Needs To Know-A Positive New Approach" by Professor Lesley Regan
"Miscarriage: Women Sharing From The Heart" by Marie Allen, PhD & Shelly Marks, MS
"Pregnancy After a Loss - A Guide to Pregnancy after a Miscarriage, Stillbirth, or Infant Death" by Carol Cirulli Lanham
"Trying Again" by Ann Douglas

26 July 2007

Tiny Footprints

A Letter to a Lost Grandbaby and Niece

What a song began in our hearts when she first told us about you, a note of excitement bubbling over. We could not help but fall in love just waiting.

We knitted blankets of hopes, dreamed countless adventures, imagined bright sunny days at the park, your first ice cream cone melting down pudgy fists.

Our arms readied themselves, we waited on edge, longing for the day when your first cries would break the air, and we would be there to soothe, to rock, to lullabye to sleep.

We could not be prepared for the next measure-your mother's voice broken, her heart, our hearts together, rubbed sore and raw with the loss of you. Our arms helpless to soothe, to rock away her pain.

Oh little one, what plans we had, what delicious dreams, what joy you brought in your small space. Your tiny footprints carried with us create a new rhythm in our hearts.

by Kimberly de Montbrun