Remembering My Angels...

Some of you may remember how perplexed and upset I was a few weeks back when I just couldn't come up with that one way, that one beautiful idea to memorialize my angel babies (I Should Know What To Do, Right?).  On the same day that I posted on my blog, an answer came to me.  Kate Crawford, one of the co-founders of Project Sweet Peas, contacted me about the beautiful memory boxes she helps put together and deliver to parents who have lost babies at local hospitals.  Project Sweet Peas also creates and provides care packages for the parents of babies in the NICU.  Kate asked me if I would like to donate an item in honor of my babies for the memory boxes she would be delivering to local hospitals near the end of September.  I loved the idea, but was stumped as to what MY item would be.  I am not a crafty gal.  My craftiness is limited to scrapbooking.  I really didn't like the idea of going to the store and buying a trinket either.  I really wanted my item to be something that really came from the heart...

The idea of the keepsake baby bracelets came to mind.  I treasure the one I have from my son's birth.  It is proudly on display in his baby book that I spent days and days of my life scrapbooking.  And I knew immediately who I wanted to ask to make the baby bracelets.... my dear friend, Audrey of turtledovecrafts.  Although Audrey and I have never met in person (yet), she and I have developed a special bond online.  We both have tragically lost two babies.  Audrey found an outlet for her grief and pain by rediscovering her love of making beautiful jewelry.  I knew that Audrey had to be the one to make my keepsake baby bracelets in honor of my angels for Project Sweet Peas. 

A few of the beautiful baby bracelets Audrey created

I met with Kate just a few days ago to bring her the bracelets.  Kate is a truly wonderful and caring person.  She brought her "crew" with her- her two twin girls and her adorable son.  She has lost two babies and she knows the heartache and frustration of having children in the NICU.  Her story is an inspiration and provides hope for us all (click here for her story).  Kate was kind enough to bring me this...

A memory box of my own to remember my angels by.  I was deeply touched and moved to tears.  It was then I truly realized what an amazing project this really is.  How comforting and thoughtful it would have been had someone at the hospital or my doctor's office given me one of these after my miscarriages... 

I feel blessed to know so many amazing women who have been through and continue to endure their own struggles to become mothers, to create a family, to grieve their losses, and to move forward the best they can.  I hope to meet with Kate again in the near future and to become even more involved with Project Sweet Peas.