I started this blog because I felt called. I sensed that God was asking me to muster up some courage and be His humble tool, delivering His message of hope, peace and comfort to whoever He might place in my path. How could I call myself a Christian and not obey that calling? What I didn’t realize at the time, was that it was part of God’s plan of healing for me as well. It had been six years since we lost Grace at that point; long enough that the rawness was fading and long enough that it felt that everyone’s memory of her was fading as well. Writing and publishing posts helped me to process my own grief and keep her memory. It was as if the blog continued her existence – a chance for her life, however brief, to mean something. Beauty for Ashes.
I think that doing things to honor and remember your baby is a step toward healing, and there are so many wonderful things you can do. I hope that the list of ideas here can help you find a way to celebrate your child’s life.
If you’re a friend or family member of bereaved parents, one of the most precious gifts you can give them is to remember their child. Often, people are hesitant to mention Grace to me or ask a question about her. If they do, they might even apologize for bringing up such a painful memory. But I haven’t forgotten, and my heart is happy when I know they remember her and want to know about her. It is why this blog has a heavy focus on remembrance, posting names as important calendar dates roll around and personal stories of anyone who wants to share them.
So here is a list of things I have done myself or have seen other grieving parents do. If you’ve done something special in the name of your little one, will you please post a comment below or send me an email? (pictures would be great) If you are reading this as a friend supporting someone through a loss, there are lots of things you can do as well. Together, we can help each other along this path from grief to remembrance.
- Contribute your son or daughter’s name and date(s) to the Wall of Remembrance
- Share your story
- Order personalized jewelry*
- Draw your baby’s portrait (Love, Daddy), or find an artist willing to draw for you (Nicholas Anthony LaRocco)
- Do a balloon or sky lantern launch (Remembering Nicholas, Remembering Connor Kadin)
- Get a tattoo (Remembering Zachery)
- Write a poem (Remembering Zachery , Remembering Addison)
- Participate in Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day/Month activities like the Wave of Light
- Order a personalized candle*
- Donate a wedding gown and/or help make infant bereavement gowns and blankets (Forever Wrapped In Love)
- Write your child a letter (Happy Birthday, Grace , My Dearest Grace,)
- Celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, even if the child you lost is your only child
- Help cover hospital and funeral costs for other bereaved parents in your child’s name
- Donate an item, memory box or cash to the bereavement department of the hospital that cared for your child (For Hope, Remembering Hope)
- Make a gift to a charitable or nonprofit organization in honor of your child (like WBGL’s Dedicate A Day option)
- Display Keepsakes in your home (Addison’s Keepsakes)
- Bake a birthday cake (When the Pain is All Around Me)
- Take a gift to your child’s gravesite (Remembering Addison)
- Contribute a song dedication to Embracing Grace in memory of your child along with some words (Blessings, There Will Be A Day, Precious Child, To Where You Are)
- Include the baby you lost in family displays (Munoz Family)
- Have your baby’s name written in the sand on a beautiful beach and artistically photographed (The Seashore of Remembrance)
- Make a scrapbook
- Order a Molly Bear
- Write in a journal or blog (public or private)
- Participate in a walk, run or march in your baby’s name (March of Dimes, October 15th Walks)
- Plant a tree or garden with a memorial plaque
Embracing Grace 