Year after year, my mind travels effortlessly back to the moment Simon was born. Simon had a diagnosis called Trisomy 13. Because of his diagnosis, we weren’t sure if he would be alive as we decided to forgo fetal heart monitoring during labor. We thought if he died before/during labor, it might be hard for me to continue to labor knowing his soul had been taken to heaven already. He was alive at birth, eyes wide open, arms and legs squirming. My OB placed Simon on my chest and all of the prayers from the previous five months had been graciously answered in that moment. He breathed! I shouted praises to God thanking Him for his mercy. It wasn't long after his birth that we finally heard his voice. It was heavenly (this video shares his sweet cries).
Simon lived a perfect 7 beautiful days and 22 glorious minutes. The number seven represents completion and perfection in the Bible. For the past six years we have raised funds for bereavement cooling cots, but this year we are intentionally shifting in a different direction.
Following Simon’s death, I learned I needed to be in community with other women who have a similar story. You Made Me Mom is a support group I founded a few months after Simon's death. You Made Me Mom is a support group for bereaved mothers who have lost babies during pregnancy or infancy. We currently have six active chapters and a seventh chapter coming in August 2021. The support groups gather monthly to discuss our babies and to process our walk with grief.
Since early 2020, You Made Me Mom has added four new chapters around the country and in Canada. The pandemic actually gave more opportunities for us to reach moms in new places. With four brand new chapters, it is vital that we support and invest in our leaders. This year, we have decided to change direction and focus our efforts directly within our organization so You Made Me Mom can maintain its vision, mission and purpose.
In March 2022, You Made Me Mom is hosting our first leadership retreat. Our leaders serve our communities in the wake of grief. While it is our pleasure to serve the bereaved mom, the burden is heavy. The purpose of the retreat would be twofold: (1) to educate and to stay aligned in our mission with our chapter leaders, and (2) to energize/love on our leaders so that they are sent back into our communities with new tools and a firm foundation in Christ.
Your tax-free donation will be processed through our non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, You Made Me Mom.
Simon’s Gift of Time fundraiser lasts seven days and twenty-two minutes – the same duration as Simon’s brief but mighty life – from May 14, 2021 at 9:55pm to May 21, 2021 at 10:17pm.
Would you consider giving us TIME together as leaders?
If you need support or know someone who needs support after losing a baby during pregnancy or infancy, please join us this month, Thursday, May 20 at 7pm Central. Click here to register for the meeting.
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