Simon's Gift of Time 2023

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Tonight we begin the ninth anniversary celebration of Simon’s life.  On May 14, 2014 at 9:55pm, we welcomed Simon Adam Balentine into this world.

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 at birth as we decided to forgo fetal heart monitoring during labor.  We thought if he died before or 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 once Adam held Simon for the first time.  It was heavenly (this video shares his sweet cries).

Simon lived a perfect 7 beautiful days and 22 glorious minutes. 

Following Simon’s death, I learned I needed to be in community with other women who have a similar story.  The Lord urged me to start a support group 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 seven chapters including one virtual chapter.  The support groups gather monthly to discuss our babies and to process our walk with grief.   

The goal of this year's Gift of Time fundraiser is to raise funds to cover You Made Me Mom's operational expenses.  Your donation gives the bereaved mother TIME to process her grief with other bereaved mothers who understand and can relate to the immense pain of miscarriage, stillbirth and infant death.  Your tax-free donation will be processed through our non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, You Made Me Mom.

The Gift of Time fundraiser lasts seven days and twenty-two minutes – the same duration as  Simon’s brief but mighty life – from May 14, 2023 at 9:55pm to May 21, 2023 at 10:17pm. 

Would you consider giving a donation to support our annual costs and gift notebooks to our bereaved mothers?  

If you need support or know someone who needs support after losing a baby during pregnancy or infancy, please join us this month, Thursday, June 15 at 7pm Central.  Click here to register for the meeting.

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