Dana~
My heart grieves for you. Our third daughter (we are raising two sons and one daughter on earth) was born into the arms of Jesus at 12 weeks on Dec. 1, and we will be holding a Mass of the Angels for her in late Spring. She will be buried beside her big sister who was born into the arms of Jesus at 17 weeks in Oct. 2002. We already send out “birth announcements” to family and friends prior to the Mass of the Angels; but I love your obituary, and want to submit one in the paper for our daughter. From the kind and giving words in your posts, I’m sure you won’t mind.
Since we have not been able to travel home (3 day drive) to bury Gabriella, each day feels like day we were given the heartbreaking news. As our trip home draws nearer, I now begin planning her Mass of the Angels and burial. It is bittersweet as I’ve experienced planning one already, and never imagined I would have this cross to bear a second time. I continue to struggle with the reality of her death and maintain my composure when people think that their “kind” words will help ease my pain. How do you respond to “There was probably something wrong, and you don’t want a child with problems anyway.”? I do have a child with a disability, and wouldn’t have her any other way!
Until you’ve seen that motionless ultrasound and heard the silence of the speakers as you lie on that bed in Radiology, until you’ve held your child in your arms and had to say, “Goodbye for now”; you can’t completely understand or fathom the grief. As a mother, we are the ones who nurture and protect our children, both in utero and after they leave the comfort of our womb. We are likewise drawn to be the protectors of their memories once they have departed this earth.
Granted, we don’t have the same memories of holidays, Baptism (which has to be the most important thing for our children!), first day of school, dates, weddings, grandchildren, etc… but we grieve them just the same. They are our children. We have a Christmas stocking for all 5 children at Christmas time, and this year the oldest two made gifts for their angel sisters to place under the tree.
How beautiful are the brief lives of our precious babies and to many others who were touched by them. I
wish I could have heard you speak of your babies on that program! When I speak of my to children in heaven, people look at me as if I have committed a sin.
The 4th anniversary of our first daughter, Catherine’s due date is coming up this week. It is also the 5th anniversary of her big brother’s Baptism. You will always mourn those things you missed out on, but I continue to look forward to times in heaven when we are all joined again.
Thank you for this thread, and to the many kind responses and words of comfort directed to you. For someone struggling to deal with the loss of a baby, the words are also helpful to others as well.
My prayers are with you as your approach Theresa’s birthdate and Joseph’s due date. I pray you are afforded the opportunity to honor your children in a way that gives you the comfort you so deserve.
Feel free to PM me if you would like.

Angel