However, I know that pregnancy and infant loss affects so very many women. In the past year, I know of several miscarriages in our MOPS group. Some of us have friends and relatives who have suffered stillbirth or infant death. Every woman, every family, handles pregnancy and infant loss differently. If you are a mother of a sweet angel, or should you ever find yourself grieving a child you never knew, please know that you are not alone. Yes, it can be a confusing time, a frustrating time, and a painful time. You may never have all the answers as to "why."
Just know this - there are women in our group that have walked the path. We can give you that shoulder to cry on; we can share in your frustrations and anger and grief. You are not alone. And ultimately, God is there. Jeremiah 29:11 says that "I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
I pray that this message in observance of the October 15th Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day doesn't cause anyone additional pain. I'd like to think it is a time that we can pull together and comfort one another. I like to think that all our little angel babies are up in Heaven together with each other sitting at the feet of Jesus - the only Person that loves our babies more than we do.
May God's Peace Be with You,
Mandi
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If you have experienced this loss and would like some resources to work through your grief, here are some online resources and books that may help.
Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss, Inc. http://www.nationalshare.org/
A Place to Remember - http://www.aplacetoremember.com/
Books you can find at the MOPS Shop - http://mops.christianbook.com/
Grieving the Child I Never Knew: A Devotional Companion for Comfort in the Loss of Your Unborn or Newly Born
Kathe Wunnenberg (I *highly* recommend this one)
Safe in the Arms of God: Words from Heaven About the Death of a Child
John MacArthur
Mommy, Please Don't Cry, Revised & Expanded
Linda DeYmaz
To Explain Infant and Pregnancy Loss to Children:
We Were Gonna Have a Baby, But We Had an Angel Instead
Pat Schweibert
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Brief Information about October 15th - Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day
You can find out more at http://www.october15th.com
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is a day of remembrance for all pregnancies and infant death which includes but not limited to miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, or the death of a newborn. It is recognized in the United States and throughout Canada on October 15th of each year.
The Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Movement began in the United States On October 25, 1988 when former American President Ronald Reagan designated the month of October 1988 as ``Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. During that proclamation, President Reagan stated, "When a child loses his parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses her or his partner, they are called a widow or
widower. When parents lose their child, there isn’t a word to describe them.”
The October 15th Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day Campaign began in 2002 as an American movement. As a result of the American campaign effort Concurrent resolution H. CON. RES. 222 Supporting the goals and ideals of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day was passed in the House of Representatives on September 28, 2006.
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Psalm 139:13-16
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your
works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret
place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were
written in your book before one of them came to be.
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