Well Luke's bear from Gemma arrived yesterday morning, I took it over to mum's to open and show her, I knew how special it already was and I wanted to share it with someone.------------------ I didn't know you'd personalise it for Luke with the most magnificent card I've ever read, and cried over (wish I could toughen up a bit). Steve and I both felt comforted in our decision  to push on with a special boy inside of me. Of course the first thing you do is think how wonderfully kind and generous people are in the world, I'm speaking directly to you Courtney (& Terry) because he must be a wonder too.  The first thing I did was hug it to me, how wonderful a gift of support, I didn't know that it would mean so much to me, a piece of my little boy to have forever. I can't tell you how important and special it is to me.  Mum was overwhelmed, she'd never seen anything like it before.

Home I came to my lovely husband Steve and told him that I got something special in the mail for our Precious little Luke. What???? Men must have selective alzheimers sometimes. I handed him the card and told him to read it, he did and kept saying "how really lovely it was" and then I showed him the bear and how he'll use it when the time comes. My husband isn't much with words and this time he was speechless, all he kept saying was "we don't even know these people and they'd do this for a total stranger". Thank you for touching us with your love, all we both feel is support surrounding us, people we have never met who care, sometimes I think more than our own families do. Certainly all of you have a much deeper understanding of our real world

I had just come back from shopping with Luke's basinette, so I made it up fresh and ready and it sits in the corner of our bedroom, filling us with hope and draped over the end is Gemma's bear, who I give a pat to everytime I pass - squeezing in as much love to it to share with Luke when he arrives.

 

We know you've been where we are with little sweet Gem, how wonderful you are to help us, to hold our hands and give us a hug from so far away. Gemma is smiling on your from heaven.

 

Love  Carolyn, Steve, Damon and little Luke

Oh goodness Courtney I don't think I could ever thank you enough for the little bear we got in the mail yesterday for Kambry.  My husband, Barry, got home first and he called me crying because it touched him so much.  I   just held that bear in my arms all night last night.  It is her bear and that is the first thing that we have that is "hers".  It was sad and made me cry, but I am so glad to have it.  It means so much to both of us.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

I just want to let you know that I recieved the lamb you sent today. My husband and I stood holding it and crying. We could feel the love in the words you wrote in the card. I have put together a little memory chest for Hannah, and I put her lamb in there too. I want something to show to our family and maybe Hannah's brother's or sisters, should there be any. (Hannah was our first)  My husband and I have served God for 4 years, and this has been rough on our faith, but we know that ultimately God is in control and knows what he is doing.We have the hope of seeing her again someday.. and hopefully soon. Thank you again for everything. Ps. 139 was some of the scripture that our pastor read at Hannah's funeral. We appreciate your prayers. Courtney,

I received the precious bear and card in the mail. Thank you so very much. Although we do not have our baby girl here to hold, the bear is so soft and cuddly to hold in her place. I have the bear in my room with the blanket my mother in law knitted. It is a special gift and I thank you. It has been a week today and all still seems so surreal. My husband went back to work today…so live goes on one day at a time.

 With love and hugs,

Jackie Van Steyn mom to Baby Faith Anne

Dear Courtney,  I just wanted to thank you for sending the bear blanket for our son Micah.  He was born by csection on Aug. 29th weighing 3lbs. 15 oz, 14 1/2 inches long.  He lived 16 hours.  He had a difficult time breathing on top of his VSD so we knew his time with us would be short.  We are thankful that we had Micah as long as we did knowing that most families with trisomy babies don't get as much, but we wish we'd had more time.  We were blessed that he followed our plans and waited to be born according to schedule.  It allowed our family from Wisconsin to arrive and meet him.  We also were blessed to have photographers from www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org come to the hospital.  They are the ones who took the picture I've attached.  Out of the blue last night our daughter Ainsley wanted to sleep with both the bear blanket and the blue dino she had picked out for Micah.

Thank you again, your generosity has touched me deeply and given my daughter a connection with her little brother.

Blessings to you and your family,

Mary Fibiger