Celebration of Life Memorial Service

normajeane6126

It was held at the hospital, in the chapel. As we walked down the hall & passed the cafeteria, I remembered the last time we walked down that hall. It was surgery day & we had just got the first update from the nurse that everything was going smoothly. We took that good news as a cue to breathe a little & have some breakfast. I cried walking down that hall yesterday.

The memorial service was beautiful. There were 9 babies being honored. A few of the CICU nurses spoke & read some poetry. A couple parents spoke (including SO), as well as one older sister. The head nurse rang the bells as each family placed a ribbon with their angel?s name on the Christmas tree.

Afterwards, there was brunch. They put together a slide show of family pictures. I remember being so jealous of everyone who had pictures of their entire family together. At brunch, the head nurse talked to me about how she was given the opportunity to give 3 heart moms a spa day & asked if I would enjoy that. Of course, how could I say no?

She also mentioned that a reporter wanted to put together an article on the moms she offered the spa day, as well as their families. We?ll hear more on that after the holidays.

As if that wasn't enough, she also asked SO, myself, and another set of parents to be co-leaders of an outreach program for other parents like us. Again, how could we refuse? SO and I agree that this is an incredible opportunity to reach out, share our experience, and let other parents know that they are not alone.

After brunch, we went upstairs to the CICU to say hello to the doctors & nurses who weren't able to come to the service or brunch. As soon as we turned the corner into the unit, DS started saying ?Isaiah, Isaiah!? I didn't even bother trying to hold back tears. He remembered that this place was where Isaiah was.

Overall, it was a bittersweet day. Being the mom to a cardiac angel is not something I would ever have chosen to be, but I could not have asked for a better support team & I am forever grateful to our CICU family.

magdalina.h

I love you sweetie

jbranden12

That sounds really beautiful. I'm so glad your hospital does that! DH and I would also love to be resources for other parents once we are a little further along in our journey. Thanks for sharing!

OSUWifey09

That does sound really beautiful - I'm so glad you were able to be a part of something like that. It's awesome that you're going to be able to help other families, too!

dandywarhol

It sounds like a wonderful service. {{hugs}}

calibride2005

Im a cardiac mama too. Well, was.  We just did the "Walk to Remember" at Loma Linda a couple weeks ago and they had a ceremony, dove release as well.  It was my first one and was really surprised how they went all out. 

Im sorry for the loss of your angel baby.  It's never easy

normajeane6126

calibride2005:

Im a cardiac mama too. Well, was.  We just did the "Walk to Remember" at Loma Linda a couple weeks ago and they had a ceremony, dove release as well.  It was my first one and was really surprised how they went all out. 

Im sorry for the loss of your angel baby.  It's never easy

 You are a heart mama. It sounds like it was a beautiful walk. *hugs*