April - Serve the Babies #davidsmission

We are entering our 4th month of service.  What an incredible year this has been thus far.  I never imaged the variety of service opportunities that our family would be introduced to.  Many of the services we have done are ones that we plan to make traditions in our home.  Not only have these opportunities blessed those who we serve but it is bringing a myriad of people together and opening their lives to connections they never thought about before.

This next month is one I have been anxiously awaiting, as it has very personal meaning and is directly tied to our son, David.  In the hospital were we delivered there is a unique group of parent volunteers called the Parent to Parent group.  Its members consist of parents who have lost little ones at birth and desire to give back to help support those who must face the same tragedy.  After David passed a group member came in and spent time with us taking pictures, making casts of his hands and feet, helping us dress him, and giving us cherished keepsakes that tied our memories to something good.  These keepsakes still bring back fond memories of service given, right along the memories of the time we had with our baby.  I always intended to donate these same services back some day.

My favorite connection keepsake, a gold ring worn by David.  

If you ever see me wearing this necklace you know I am needing connection to him that day.

Although I had made an outfit and quilt for David to be buried in, many parents do not have the foreknowledge that their child will be passing.  It is from donations of caring individuals that they are able to cloth their child and cuddle them, giving them the dignity they deserve.  This month I, along with anyone who cares to join me, will be making Angel Gowns and blankets for parents and babies in need.

Angel gowns

You need not be a seamstress to contribute to this service.  Fabric could be donated and I will do the sewing. 😊  Another beautiful way to contribute:  An unused wedding dress can be repurposed into many, many angel gowns.  Here are some other ways to Serve the Babies this month:

~Blankets for the cribs in the NICU

~Offer photography services to parents who lost a baby

~Clean the headstones of babies in local cemetery

~Put flowers on the graves of babies

~Ask if your local NICU has a cuddle program, where you go in an cuddle babies in need

~Serve a meal at the Ronald McDonald house