Thank you for visiting my blog! If you are visiting because you have experienced a pregnancy or infant loss, let me say that I am so very sorry. I started this blog shortly after our Baby Grady was stillborn on November 12, 2008. Please visit the sidebar below called "Labels" to find the topic in which you are interested, or just read as your heart desires.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Remembering Them - October 15th

In case you didn't already know, October is *awareness* month for just about everything. I think it's great, but there is one category that I honestly didn't know existed until Grady died.

Pregnancy and infant loss.

Not only is October pregnancy and infant loss awareness month, October 15th is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.

It was passed in 1988 by Ronald Reagan, but very few people know about it. This is a website where you can learn more if you're interested.

Everyone is asked to light a candle in memory of the babies at 7pm in all time zones and keep it burning for one hour. If everyone does this, there will be a continuous wave of light over the entire world on October 15th. (I'm not smart enough to figure that out for myself...I'm just trusting what the website states!)

I will definitely be lighting a candle for my Baby Grady tomorrow night. Call me crazy but even if Jessica's softball game doesn't get cancelled due to rain, I most certainly will have his candle with me at the ball field to light at 7pm. I don't care what anyone thinks of me. I can handle the strange looks. And, honey, bring on the questions!

That's what it's all about - awareness! It is so true that too many parents grieve in silence.

Awkward silence.

I will also be wearing an intertwined pink and blue ribbon pinned to my shirt all day tomorrow, which I'm sure will bring about questions. I think Gib is going to wear one and the girls too. That makes my heart H-A-P-P-Y!

We won't be the only ones lighting a candle for Baby Grady tomorrow night. My sister-in-law emailed to tell me that they will be doing the same thing to remember him tomorrow evening. They just had a baby boy in August, and it touches my heart beyond words for them to show that kind of love for us and for Grady. Thank you Shannon, Arthur, Kylie and Collin.

If you feel led and think about it, would you light a candle, too?

One more thing...my candle won't just be for Grady. It will represent all of your precious babies who went to be with the Lord way too soon (at least according to our plans).

Love,
Tonya

7 comments:

  1. I will be lighting one with you Tonya... I think I will be one time zone after too, your candle... then mine. Thinking of you sweet friend. My prayers for you and your family.
    sara

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  2. We'll be right there with you, Tonya, lighting one for Felicity, one for Jeremiah, and one for all the other babies we mourn and remember today.

    Glad you're going to do yours at Jessica's game and thank you for creating awareness.

    Blessings,
    Rachel

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  3. Thinking of you and Grady today.

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  4. I will gladly light a candle this evening for Grady... and I'll be thinking and praying for you as we travel on Saturday too.

    Love and peace, ae

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  5. We would be honored to light a candle for Grady and all of the other sweet babies who are with Jesus now! Great job bringing awareness to this day!

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  6. Though I didn't light a candle- I think of you, like always, and your baby Grady.

    love you,
    ebe

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  7. Tonya~ I lit a candle in memory of my little Caleb and all of the other angel babies that we miss so much including your sweet Grady. Thank you for the beautiful blogs and the inspiring words.

    I couldn't post a picture in the comment section but I sent you an email with it.

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