October 15th

Today is Pregnancy Loss and Remembrance Day in the United States. Approximately 1,000,000 babies (that is one million - say it out loud!) die every single year due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death.

This is a day to recognize that even the shortest of lives are still valuable, and the grief of those who mourn the loss of these lives should not be trivialized.

As most of you know, Chuck and I lost our beautiful baby girl, Audrey Carolyn, on May 20, 2005. And until we lost her, I never knew this day even existed. It was always something that happened to somebody else. And, let's be honest, nobody ever talks about it. Those who do "are not doing well"; "can't seem to move on with life"; "need some professional help"; "should be grateful for the kids they do have."

I now struggle every year with just how to commemorate this day. This is what I would like to do today: I would like to ask you to pray. Here is what I would like you to pray for:

1) Please pray for the families that have experienced the great loss of miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death. Pray that they may know just how valuable their baby was - no matter if it was an early pregnancy miscarriage or a full-term neonatal death. Pray that God would "bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair." (Isaiah 61:2-3). If you don't know anyone personally that has experienced a pregnancy loss, you can go to Angie's blog here. As of the time I wrote this blog, there are over 500 women that have commented with the dates they have lost their babies. Pick out a couple of these and pray for them specifically. It was so moving for me just to see that many people respond to Angie's request.

2) Pray for individuals, churches, communities, and other organizations to consider how to meet the needs of bereaved mothers, fathers, and family members.

Finally, I have been so blessed to meet other women that lost their babies around the same time that I did. As many of you know, they are some of my dearest friends and closest confidantes. I have also had the privilege of knowing a few women that have lost their babies just this year - one as recently as last week. I love you all, and I would like to remember your babies today by listing them here:

Josie Morden - March 2005
Savannah Morden - July 28, 2005
Twin Baby Mordens - October 2007 and November 2007
Casey Sharp - January 15, 2003
Gabby Sharp - December 22, 2003
Calyn Sharp - November 30, 2004
Joshua Ables - October 14, 2004
Jordan Dobbins - August 13, 2003
Aubrey Lang - May 14, 2006
Jenna Bisbee - August 11, 2005
Carter Purnell - February 25, 2008
Baby Carlisle - October 10, 2008