You Never Know | Infant Loss

" Only one who has been washed in the blood of the Lamb

can both weep and laugh at the same time, and with hearts

that are breaking in pieces scattered all over the floor say

with sincerity and honesty that it is well with my soul..."

- Gary J. Oliver

Time and time again I am shocked by my encounters with strangers who have no regard for others. I'm a realist, striving to be an optimist in this crazy world, but more and more reality smacks me in the face. Yesterday just reaffirms my anguish in yet another series of ridiculous events that cause deep wounds in my already broken heart. 

I value myself as a decent parent, one who disciplines appropriately and follows through with consequences. So, when I am confronted by a store clerk about my parenting skills I am a little taken a-back. To give you a rough idea of the scene, my husband and I were choosing new glasses at the optometrist. This process was taking far too long, as this un-efficent clerk was taking her sweet time. I did my best to keep my three year old daughter occupied with games on my iphone, showing her different items int he store, etc, but, after being patient for over an hour, she was starting to get bored and rambunctious. I quietly took her out of the store multiple times to calm her down and let her know that we were in a store and that we needed to be quiet and patient. After the longest hour of my life, my hubby was finally able to take our daughter to another part of the store while I finished up the transaction. As soon as they left, this woman politely informed me with the following: 

"Is she always that hyperactive? You know, I raised many kids, even crack babies, and let me tell you, behavior like your daughters just gets worse with age. You really need to think about your parenting. Maybe if she wasn't an only child, she would behave better..."

As I gaged on my words and anger searing through my brain all I could think of was WOW. Is this today's world? A world in which a laughing child in a store could cause such a problem for another parent? A world in which customer service consists of telling strangers they are bad parents? 

"If God hides the reason for His works from us, and it is too high

for us to reach, let us shut our mouths;... let us glorify God and

not be ashamed to be ignorant. The true wisdom of the faithful is

to know no more than it has pleased God to show them."

- John Calvin

Lucky for her, I am a Christian woman. So I prayed for patience, quietly took the brunt force trauma to my ego, paid and left. I left the store feeling an inch tall. Not only am I a bad parent, but even worse because I only have one living child. I could have informed her that I have 2 children, that my son lives in Heaven. I could have told her to F-Off, or mind her business, but I didn't. I just prayed and took up my "Cross" yet again. 

"He (the Christian believer) can say, "If I should lose all I have, it is better

that I should lose than have if God so wills: 

the worst calamity is the wisest and the kindest thing that could befall me if God ordains it." 

"We know that all things work together for good to them that love God."

-Charles Spurgeon

I left the store and headed to find my husband and daughter. Rattled by this encounter I started into an emotional downward spiral. Luckily we were headed to church, and I found hope and comfort in realizing clarity I am blessed with and that despite others opinions, I am proud of where I am today as a parent and a person. I just pray that the next time my daughter who tests off the charts for her age is compared to a crack baby, I'll be able to keep my cool. I really don't want to be forced to pull the "I have a dead baby" card, but I am getting close to the end of my rope.

"The only right attitude towards suffering is worship,

or humble self-surrender."

-John R. W. Stott

2011, you can't arrive quickly enough!! 

This is my comfort in my affliction,

that Your Word has revived me.

- Psalm 119:50

Christmas Reflections....

As Christmas quickly approaches, I'm yet again distracted that my little man is not with us. His stocking hangs lovingly placed between ours, reminding us that he should be here. I fight the urge to buy a small gift for him; what would I do with it? I sit, broken hearted, watching in awe as Nevaeh discovers more wonders of Christmas, longing for Leo to be next to her, experiencing it all as well. My heart aches knowing I will never have these memories with him. 


I find myself reminiscing over the days I had with Leo. I've struggled significantly in moving forward as any mother would. I have had to defend my son's existence to far too many people who are close to me. That alone causes scars that are much deeper than those of loosing a child. This gapping hole I wear in my heart, aches with a longing I can't describe. 


And so, we are at a cross roads, trying to get pregnant again. All I can think of is that this next baby won't replace Leo. That I still will have a hole in my world, where he should be. We never forget our children.. they are part of our very souls. 


God has also placed Kenya on my heart. I'm being led towards adopting from Kenya in addition to having another biological child. As I sit imagining bringing home a child from Kenya, I am brought to tears. This is so heavy on my heart I feel as though I might explode. I know this is years down the line. Please keep us in your prayers and we explore this incredible journey into international adoption and trying to get pregnant again. We have faith that things will work out, and are so thankful for the support we've gained from so many others.

©Micah Albert 

This Christmas, 

Hold your precious little ones...

Savor their gleaming eyes as they absorb Christmas wonders.

Capture moments today, 

because you never know what those memories could mean...

Remember those in need this Christmas,

and bless others as you have been blessed. 

Kiss the cheeks of those you love and 

take a moment to hug a little longer this Christmas....

Walk to Remember | Infant and Pregnancy Loss Awareness

Sunday was the 7th annual Walk to Remember held in Longview. This event brings awareness to infant and pregnancy loss and gives grieving parents a safe place to share their stories and remember the little ones we've lost. 

I was nervous heading into this event, as I didn't know what to expect. I was concerned this event wasn't going to meet my expectations and that instead of being healing, it would depress us further. I am so glad we went and that my expectations were exceeded. Many people don't understand my concern over the event, so allow me to explain. I don't get to plan a 1st birthday, or see my son crawl for the first time, of hear him say "mama". All I have are events like these to outwardly express my love for him in a public setting. My fear was that this event wouldn't be nice enough to do my son justice. That may sound strange, but this has been an issue from the start for me. I remember when Leo was born and I was so mad that I didn't have a blanket worthy enough to wrap him in. I reluctantly took the hand crocheted blanket donate to the NICU from the nurse to wrap him in after he passed. I came home with empty arms, feeling like a horrible mother for not having something nice enough to clothe him in at the hospital. I clutched a blue blanket I bought on clearance thinking, "If only I had known, I would have bought something worthy!"

It is strange the things that bother us in times such as these, but I was pleasantly surprised to be surrounded by other parents who understand the type of grief we are coping with. I felt part of something, part of a group who has seen some of the hardest times and have pulled through together. 

More and more often I feel left behind these days. Just about every friend I have has been blessed with 2 living children, and I feel left in the dust being the odd-ball so to speak. I'm desperately trying to move forward from these feelings, but it is a hard thing to swallow. My longing for my son is more than I can describe. Being able to attend events like these really helps me to find my place in this new world I have been thrown into.

This poem by Elizabeth Dent completely captures how I feel:

Go ahead and mention my child.

The one that died, you know.

Don't worry about hurting me further.

The depth of my pain doesn't show.

Don't worry about making me cry. I'm already crying inside.

Help me to heal by releasing

The tears that I try to hide.

Im hurt when you just keep silent,

Pretending he didn't exist.

I'd rather you mention my child,

Knowing that he has been missed.

You asked me how I was doing.

I say "pretty good" or "fine".

But healing is something ongoging.

I feel it will take a lifetime.  

Here are some pictures from this year's Walk to Remember. 

We all got to light a candle in honor of the child we lost.

you are everywhere little man | advocate for pragnancy and infant loss

Let's just say that since loosing my little man a little over a year ago, my body has been a wreck. Physically a wreck. Between the sudden drop in hormones from an emergency c-section, to the depression and anxiety of loosing our son, to the pain meds as I healed from surgery, from doing way too much planning a memorial, running a household,  healing from loss, and of course pursuing me photography career.... all these things take a toll. My blood pressure has been border-line high since being pregnant with Nevaeh, so, when it was high during my pregnancy with Leo, we weren't too concerned, since we already had a healthy baby girl and a delivery with no complications. Little did we know that my blood pressure is the most likely cause of our tragedy. Since then, I have been to countless doctors trying to figure out the best course of action.

Today after having a steadily rising high blood-pressure all day and struggling with another anxiety attack I checked my blood pressure at home again to see if I should head to the ER. My blood pressure was 155/95.... not horrible, but not good. So, I packed Nevaeh in the car, with my best " oh mommy is fine, we are going to just go talk to the nice doctor". I urgently called my dad and sister to come meet me, since the last I came to this same ER as a "precaution" it ended in tragedy.

Thanks to the FABULOUS Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital, I waited a mere 10 minutes before I was in a gown having yet another EKG. My blood pressure was up to 166/107. After a dose of anxiety meds and monitoring, my pressure came back down to 134/83 within an hour. Luckily in this world of technology, my ER doctor was able to view every aspect of my records from 6 different doctors. After reviewing all my past workups and issues, he said, " You need to be on blood pressure medication, and should have been for awhile now." FYI this has been my theory all along, but what does a dumb mom who went through a placental abruption know (which are only caused by a) trauma b) cocaine use c) smoking or d) HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.... DING DING DING Winner Winner Chicken Dinner.

Despite what you all might think, I am happy and relieved to have some answers and a medical plan for what I have been struggling with for years now. I am praying that with close monitoring and medication that I can get my body back to a healthy functioning level soon. It has been a tough road, and I am praying that this is the start of a "new day".

Thanks for all your continued prayers and thoughts of comfort! I love you all!!

HOLY CRAP are my thighs THAT big? Note to Self.... slim thighs.... or.. wear spanks at ALL TIMES..

It is well with my soul...

Remember that day?

Remember that day we thought everything would be fine?

Remember that day we were just being cautious?

The day our whole world changed.

The day we were blessed with a son.

Remember those fleeting moments?

Remember the fear and the pain?

Remember when we held our son as he died in our arms?

Remember how God spared my life and not my son’s?

I remember.

I don't know His plans for me, or what my journey has in store. I have been so blessed in my life... and though I miss my baby boy, I know  “it is good with my soul.”

Philippians 4:6-7 

6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

Walk to Remember...

My life has changed so much since you passed away. Daily I am reminded that you are not here with me. Longing grips me with such fierce emotions that I can't seem to contain my tears. October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month. A Walk to Remember is being coordinated. It all sucks. My life wasn't supposed to be like this. You are supposed to be in my arms, safe and sound. Instead, I am left with fleeting memories, empty arms, and a sign-up sheet for "remembering lost babies". Life is hard to swallow on days like this. I'm strong, but sad... completely changed, but not broken. 


I miss you sweet baby. All around my friend's babies are turning one in a few months.... a constant reminder of how I've been left behind with ashes. Everything has changed. I would give anything to hold you again. I gaze upon your photographs, remembering every hair on your head, and the depth of your blue eyes. Each day your memory is more poignant in my thoughts. 


Others don't seem to understand; and it makes it all that much worse. Friends complain about having two children, about how hard it is.... I don't think I can take much more. Don't people see how painful it is for me? Don't people realize that sharing their plans for a third child hurts? Why is there a need for others to rub it in my face??!! No one understands... or no one really cares. I'm giving up on trying to be strong and tolerant of others inability to attempt to understand. I don't have it in me anymore. Deep breaths... pain slowly moves in, gripping my heart. Each week brings new problems and new developments. People who once brought comfort, now bring pain and conflict. 


...Lord, give me strength....


I grasp on to what I have... 


...not a chubby baby finger, or a ring of curls, or even a cuddly hug.....


I grasp on to what I have........


....... a registration form for "a walk to remember".... 

One Year... and still you live on....

 

To my son,


One year. One year without you in my life; in my arms. Tears still fall, pain still strickens my core. I walk from one day to the next, aching to ease the subtle grief that never seems to cease from lingering on my heart. Cuddling friend's little ones deepens my longing for you. I miss you. I think think back to the fateful day you were brought into this world, and still wonder why my life was spared and not yours. With every inch of my being I knew what was to come that warm July morning. Oh how terrible, and and comforting to know what was to happen in your final hours. I am blessed to have known you and blessed to have been your mommy, even if for only a little while. I cling to our moments together. The crimson scar I wear is a constant reminder of our short time together; its one of the only things I have. Your sister asks about you often; she wonders when we can bring you home. Swallowing tears is something I am adept to these days, as I remind her where you are. She always smiles and says, "Oh yea mommy, he is sleeping with the angels and the harps." I always wonder if there are harps... she always says it. I wonder what she knows and what she sees. She is my window into your resting place. I still catch glimpses of you in her sleeping face.

July 4, 2010
"I sit on my bed with your box of treasures. Opening the lid, I gaze upon the casts of your hands and feet. I forget how tiny you were in my palms. These tiny casts of your feet illustrate your incredibly small size. Tears fall as I hold the velvet pouch with your ashes. Closing the lid, I breath deep, and put your things back in the drawer. This communion we have, this remembering, is so precious to me."


I cautiously prayed about how to honor you as we approached the one year anniversary of your passing. Suddenly I was struck with the idea to ask others to participate in a name memorial. I wasn't sure what to expect, or if anyone one would be interested in being part of this special project. Boy, was I wrong. For 2 weeks now my inbox has been flooded with heartfelt words of love and encouragement along with images of your precious name captured by strangers who have been touch by the story of your precious life... 


I am inspired by your strength to share and touched by your story, and Leo's.  Thank you so much for sharing. You are amazing! As we were lighting the candles for one of these pictures, we prayed for Leo. Each and every one of those, so precious and unique just like him. I am awed by your strength and your faith. I have now been touched by you and Leo. i can't help but see him in everything. I just want to tell you that I think you have grown into a very strong amazing woman.I love you!! I'm hoping and praying many people come together to celebrate Leo. I LOVE this memorial Kellene, it's beautiful! My first time photographing letters out of things, I have wanted to do that for a long time, so glad this was reason for my first. thank you for allowing me to be a part of something so special.

How incredible God is! How astounding that again this precious story of your life is being used to touch others.

*If you'd like to read about my journey, click here and here to read a few poignant journal entries about those fateful days

Dear Friends,
I am so thankful that God put on my heart to share Leo's story. As I wrote the account of those fateful days, I was hesitant to share the full magnitude of my vulnerability with the world. I am so glad I did! As time has gone on, I realize how many people long to see how faith can change lives, even in the worst of situations. Being used to glorify God through this tragedy is so much more than I could ever have asked for and I am honored to have filled this role.


Thank you for remembering with me. Thank you for sharing in the life of my little boy and for allowing his preciousness to live on. Thank you for walking this journey with me; I am so thankful for you all!

In Memory of My Leo...

"Heaven is the place where he takes my hand, and leads me to You, and we both run into Your arms"

Leo's Memorial Project!! Come and see how you can help!!

Thank you to EVERYONE who has participated in Leo's Memorial Project!! If you'd like to participate, just come up with a creative way to feature Leo's Name, take a picture of it, and email it to: kellene.maynard@gmail.com. Please be sure to include your first name and the city and state you live in.

This project has truly touched my heart, as it allows for my little man to touch the lives of others even after he has been gone almost a full year. If you'd like to read a little bit about our story click here. Thank you all, and I look forward to seeing more submissions!!

Here is what we have received so far!

Come be part of a great thing!!

This month marks the one-year anniversary since our son Leo passed away after being born at 30 weeks due to a placental rupture.  The past year has been a rough journey of both sorrow and faith. As we approach this season of remembering, many of you have asked what we were planning to do to remember Leo. After thinking long and hard, and asking other’s their ideas, I have come up with something everyone can participate in to celebrate his life!!

So, if you’d like to participate, here are the details…. I would like to start a Name Memorial for Leo. Find a creative way to write his name and capture it. You can write it in sand, in a letter, on an object, etc. You can incorporate anything you’d like… flowers, balloons, stuffed animals… be creative and have fun with it! The images will be featured on my blogs in a slideshow for everyone to enjoy.

Email your images to: kellene.maynard@gmail.com Please be sure to include you name and where you are from with your submission!!!

Thank you ALL for participating in remembering our little man with us. Your love and support has brought us through the darkest time in our lives. We love you!!

Missing you...

I search for signs of you

everywhere....

Little ones I see remind me of you.

Silent tears echo in my soul, never ceasing to fall.

Each step is a bittersweet moment 

as I walk through life without you.

I gaze upon your image

Part of you is always with me...

I miss you little man. 

Almost a year has past... how has it been this long already?

Clinging to your memory I will always be...

Mommy misses you little one.

XOXO