I wanted to share a story with you that touched my heart in so many ways. These beautiful gowns that you see on the left were made for babies who never make it home from the hospital. They are made from donated wedding gowns, so the mothers can use them to send their precious babies home to be with the Lord.
As many of you know, my Zarriah was a preemie. She entered the world at 31 weeks weighing 2lbs. 10ozs, and fought for her life for 3 months in the NICU at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital in Norfolk, VA. I’m proud to say that she is still fighting and gets time out quite often, lol. I must also say those were 3 of the most heart wrenching months of my life. I will always be grateful for the nurses in the NICU for their skills and the love they show the babies and parents. I am most grateful that my Zarriah survived, but my heart still bleeds for those precious babies who do not.
A lady by the name of Lisa Grubbs, founder of Angel Gowns at NICU Helping Hands, came up with the idea of turning wedding gowns into Angel Gowns to help grieving mothers in 2013. Her husband is a specialist for premature babies. The gowns are provided free of charge to families and hospitals across the country. The tears are flowing as I write this post, because I can’t imagine any loss greater than the loss of a child. I understand the fight, and I cry for those who loss their precious baby. I also cry for those who fought the fight and won. I understand the confusion, the despair, the desperation, sleepless nights and the many prayers.
I also know that a mother and father would be grateful to have a picture of their angel in one of these beautiful gowns as a memory, and to be able to send them on to their Heavenly Father in one will certainly help ease the pain if only for a moment.
I’m always amazed at other’s creativity and their thoughtfulness of others. I’m hoping that my daughter will donate her wedding gown, as she too understands the fight. The organization is able to make approximately 12 “Angel Gowns” from one wedding dress, and all work is done by volunteers. They are shipped across the country to hospitals for families who request them.
I will continue to pray for families who are fighting the fight. May each and every one be blessed in their despair or victory.
Note: Photo courtesy of NICU Helping Hands.
