Will you join me to end preventable stillbirth?

Seeing Olivia Faith’s name on the back of plates is something so simple yet brings a tinge of happiness each time they see it. Contributing in this way has helped keep the memory of Olivia Faith alive while comforting others which is what keeps them coming back year after year.

“It is truly a beauty from ashes type of service they do and I know so many families are touched and moved by what they do and how they partner with grieving families to keep the memory of their baby alive. It’s absolutely a blessing.”

“Seeing that plate every days always lets me know there are people who understand all too well what you have been through and can support you if you let them”. Shelina hopes through supporting Mamie’s that she is doing that for other families.

Amanda finds comfort in the timing of Peyton’s birth. “ It was such a dark day when we lost Peyton and still is sometimes…just like when Jesus took his last breath. But Joy comes in the morning. Jesus lives and he did it all for you and me and my baby. She knew no pain or hurt from this world. Only love. Pure love from us and her Heavenly Father.”

She cherishes having his hand and foot prints and his plate is one of her greatest treasures. They started Team Paxton to pay it forward to others going through this very difficult time in their life.

Linh, Liam’s mom, still remembers the exact moment she received her plate. Seeing her son’s hand and foot prints was a beautiful reminder of the life that was created. Team Loving Liam wants to pass on that same precious gift to other grieving families. To give them something to hold on to when their hands are painfully empty.

Last week, Mamie’s had the opportunity to attend the International Perinatal Bereavement Conference in Denver, Co. We walked away with a page full of new resources and wanted to share them with our Mamie’s families.

Why do we compare ourselves to others and their grief process? No one does grief “well” or “perfectly”- it is a messy, unpredictable, heart wrenching, suffocating process.

It was very surreal to be back in the place we called home for three months. It brought back more emotions than I think we were prepared for, but there was a sense of peace that came over us as soon as we saw all of the familiar faces we have come to love.

The husband looked at me with deep pain behind his eyes, searching mine, pleading for an answer, for hope. “When will she get better?” he asked. I hesitated. I didn’t know the answer.

…. The annual fee is something our hospital covers internally within our budget. We feel this is a priority “service” that we want to continue for the reasons listed above, and I am grateful to our executive leadership team for seeing the value in this program.

My sweet baby girl came into this world stillborn on January 9th at 11:49am. It’s so hard to believe or imagine that I was going to have to go through any of the this let alone by myself. I appreciate what you guys do so much because I don't have very many memories of my sweet sleeping princess and having to make arrangements and doing all of that alone was one of the hardest things I have ever been through in my life.

The following May, our family participated in our first Mamie’s Walk to Remember. It was such an emotional experience for me, but it was needed. The event helped my heart in a way that I didn’t know was possible. Having all of the families come together to acknowledge and celebrate their babies did something for my soul. I knew that I had to be a part of helping this organization reach more families in need of this kind of healing.

Grief is normal. Grief is healthy. But, it doesn’t feel very good. Every person who suffers loss will need to grieve. Some may try to push it off as long as they can, but, in reality, we all need to grieve in the midst of loss. Grief is what helps our mind, body, and soul heal.

Prompted by parent activism, some state legislatures have created their own state income tax credits after stillbirth to help parents with the costs—including Arkansas. Effective for this 2022 tax year, Paisley’s Law now provides a $500 tax credit for parents of children born stillborn in the prior year.

We’ve been making Hayes’ Miss Miss Trees since 2015. It has been a wonderful way to help our 3 older kids cope over the years and to help introduce our youngest, Beau Henry, to his older brother.

While there is much to be thankful for and many happy moments, for some, this time is overshadowed by the harsh reality of not having your baby or child with you to celebrate Christmas. We have many families who have recently had a loss - for others the loss may be years ago but the grief is still very present. Grief looks very different in everyone. 

We support Mamie's because our plate is so special to us.  Mamie's has given us the opportunity to give back in honor of our daughter, and help bring other families comfort during such a difficult time. 

Those who have lost children know things the rest of us do not. They know deeper levels of bitter and of sweet. Through the absence of presence, they know more intimately the boundaries of connection. They know more about what can be survived. And now I know a little more, too.