This tribute is in the words of a loving and grieving mother.

Thank you Abigail for giving me permission to share your story with our readers. I hope it helps them care better than ever before, especially when they are supporting parents who have lost a baby.

The number 5 balloon sways gently in our kitchen.  It is brightly colored and is accompanied by a unicorn Happy Birthday balloon and a star Happy Birthday balloon.  Such a fun and cheerful sight. 

But they remind me that 5 years ago I gave birth to a baby who wouldn’t live and 5 years ago we held her in our arms as she took her last breath and went home to Jesus.

The sharp sting of grief has dulled over time but the memories are as clear as ever in my heart and mind. 

Our sweet girl with the deep blue eyes and calm demeanor.  She snuggled into my chest as we sat skin-to-skin for hours each day. 

She lay in Chad’s arms and gazed at him as he sang to her and prayed over her.  She only knew love and comfort in her short seven days with us.  And when it was her time to go, her face, deformed by genetic defect, relaxed fully and I gazed at the most beautiful baby girl I had ever seen. 

It’s been 5 years of grief but also of celebration.  Celebration for the life that some would say we should have ended as soon as we knew her diagnosis.  A life that the doctors did not anticipate would ever take a breath on this side of eternity.  A life that God gifted us for a week before He tenderly took her Home.  And a life that still lives on today, in complete wholeness, fully healed!

We love you, Sarabeth!  We celebrate you!  Your sisters picked out cupcakes for you that I’m sure you would have loved.  We all miss you.  And we can’t wait to see you again

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And one final note - if you have lost, allow yourself to fully grieve.  But also allow yourself to celebrate.  You will be surprised at how healing it can be. "

You might want to learn more about Trisomy and the different ways this can impact a baby. https://trisomy.org/