There’s a Lumpy Rug day, a No Socks day, even a Talk Like a Pirate Day. The silly and humorous days that fall on the calendars bring laughter and create conversation. Then there are other days that we hear about that bring awareness, like today, which is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Let me preface this post by saying this day is not a day where we (generally speaking of those who have suffered a loss) are looking for pity. Today is not about getting sad looks or making you feel uncomfortable because you don’t know what to say. Today is about connecting together a community – those who are grieving and those who are simply supporting those who grieve – it’s about remembering the too-short lives of lost babies and infants and spreading love.
So often we comfort widows, cancer victims, and orphans – all who are beautifully deserving of love and care. But more often than not, there is a group of people who suffer without anyone around them even knowing, ashamed to speak of the sadness that they feel, stripped of the public title of parents or saddened to have other children who will never know they had another sibling. The New York Times last year said “Unless you wear a T-shirt emblazoned with your children’s names or tattoo them on your wrist, you rarely speak their names aloud no matter how much you need or want to tell others. And for women who have struggled with pregnancy loss, there seems even less place to mention the love they feel for babies they will never have.”
One of my favorite parts about today, other than the comfort that it offers and the community it builds, is that there is a way for each one of you to offer support. Tonight from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm, in all time zones across the world, you can light a candle to remember the babies who have been lost from miscarriages, ectopic and molar pregnancies, born stillborn or lost to infant death. The lighting of these candles creates a “wave of light” across the world and is a beautiful, touching, moving tribute to the families who have suffered. It’s not an image that will likely ever be seen, but if you are home tonight, even if it’s not at 7 pm, light a candle for those who have lost their precious babies.
Each family’s pain is unique. Each life, no matter how short, was meaningful and special. To our own babies lost, I love and remember you often. I often wonder what milestone you would be hitting, what color your eyes would have been, how your laugh would have sounded. We have treasured every embryo created, prayed for every embryo transferred, and fell head over heels in love with each pregnancy we have experienced. I can’t wait for the day our family can be reunited in heaven.
Light a candle tonight, even and especially if you have not lost a baby. The support and opportunity to spread love and care means more than you will ever know. I’d love to see any pictures you take of your candle burning – feel free to email them to me at trialsbringjoy (at) gmail (dot) com.
Today is a beautiful day of remembrance. I am so thankful this day exists.
Trials Bring Joy 
Beautiful blog honey. Loved it and love our little angel babies. God is holding them close and they are sending all their love. A Big thank you to all those who light a candle tonight in remembrance of the little ones we had so briefly and loved so dearly.
Love you honey. Thankful to have you by my side throughout all of this. <3
The New York Times last year said “Unless you wear a T-shirt emblazoned with your children’s names or tattoo them on your wrist, you rarely speak their names aloud no matter how much you need or want to tell others. And for women who have struggled with pregnancy loss, there seems even less place to mention the love they feel for babies they will never have.” – THIS!!! LOVE!!!!
Well said sweet friend! I actually find great joy in today. My little ones don’t have birthday’s, or milestones that I get to celebrate, but today, get to celebrate their little brief lives! Thanks for sharing this today!
I really love what you brought up – that this is a day of celebration as well! This was such a turning spot in how I viewed this day, thank you!
such a beautiful and wonderfully written post! Sending you hugs! xo
waitingforbabybird.com
Hugs back at ya friend!
Thinking of you, your babies, and all those ladies who have lost life today Chelsea! Hugs to you!!! So thankful you get to see your loved ones again!
I am so thankful to we WILL get to see the again! Praise God for His faithfulness!
Such a lovely post xx
I so appreciate your kind feedback and you for reading!
Great post!
Thank you! :)
This is beautiful. I love hearing about babies that met Jesus before they were able to meet the world- it saddens me that so many are ‘forgotten’. Days like today are so helpful in allowing women to feel like it is ‘ok’ to speak about their babies- hopefully one day women feel like they can openly speak about their babies every day.
I agree! I am always so encouraged by the amount of awareness a day like this brings. It’s beautiful to celebrate their short lives because they were loved so much. <3
This is such a beautiful post. Our babies are in heaven by Jesus side hearing stories of us every day.
Amen! I think they were the lucky ones that got to skip over all the sin of this world and simply enjoy eternity!
That’s beautiful Chelsea. God bless you and Josh.
Thank you so much Jeannie. Big hugs and love sent.