“The Could-Have-Been’s”

1. On October 15th, 2009 at 10:11 am Badass Geek Says:

   I don’t know of anyone specifically, but I do know that any and all of them should be remembered.

2. On October 15th, 2009 at 10:12 am Notesfromthegrove Says:

   That list is much too long.

   I’ll light a candle tonight too.

3. On October 15th, 2009 at 10:13 am swirl girl Says:

   thanks for helping us remember …

4. On October 15th, 2009 at 10:47 am Kelly Says:

   (tears streaming) That is so sad, and it makes me realize, even more, how lucky I am to have healthy children. I worry all the time about the baby I am pregnant with now (healthy so far), but I know I can’t live in fear. My heart goes out to these families and all the others that have suffered this painful loss!!!

5. On October 15th, 2009 at 10:01 am Mrs.Spit Says:

   Alleluia, Amen.

6. On October 15th, 2009 at 10:05 am trish Says:

   Yup, that number is a lot different when you go from hoping it won’t be you to being that statistic.

7. On October 15th, 2009 at 10:07 am Michaela Says:

   Kyle S. My best friend’s son. I’m lighting a candle, too.

8. On October 15th, 2009 at 10:13 am Melanie Says:

   I have three of my own. Timothy, Taea, and Thomas. I will always remember them all, and hold my baby Dylan a little more tightly as I remember his little brothers and sister that are no longer here.

9. On October 15th, 2009 at 10:18 am Mama Cas Says:

   Heartbreaking. Just about the time when we started trying to get pregnant for the first time, it seemed that everyone around us was having first-trimester miscarriages. I was terrified we’d be hit, too. Luckily, we had 4 happy, healthy, full-term pregnancies….but those who aren’t so lucky are constantly in my mind.

10. On October 15th, 2009 at 10:19 am Betts Says:

    Doesn’t that just stop me in my tracks and thank my lucky stars.

11. On October 15th, 2009 at 10:22 am kalakly Says:

    Thank you Becky. For remembering and for doing something about it too.
    You rock.
    xxoo

12. On October 15th, 2009 at 10:27 am amy d Says:

    When I began reading your blog, (sometime last year I believe), I remember you dedicating a post to those tiny lives cut short.

    Really nice you bring attention to this. The numbers are staggering!!!

13. On October 15th, 2009 at 10:27 am Nel Says:

    My heart goes out to everyone on that list.

14. On October 15th, 2009 at 11:32 am moonspun Says:

    My youngest stepdaughter was conceived not long after I met my now husband (that’s it’s own story) and there was a weekend when they thought they lost her. Not good and when I look at her sweet face, despite the many complications of her parental situation, I am glad she turned out ok.
    Nice post, Becky.

15. On October 15th, 2009 at 10:33 am Barbara Says:

    🙁

16. On October 15th, 2009 at 10:33 am Kelly Says:

    Our candle will be lit. So sobering to see names with the numbers.

17. On October 15th, 2009 at 10:56 am Coco Says:

    ((((Becks))))

    ((((Everyone))))

18. On October 15th, 2009 at 11:02 am Cristina Says:

    Two years ago on Monday I found out our baby wasn’t going to be. I miscarried him or her 5 days later, at 10 weeks. The most heart wrecking, and one of the most life changing things that ever happened to me. I had seen a couple of days ago in a comment that the clown baby mama was your friend, and I wanted to send you an e-mail to ask for the address of her blog. The number of babies who died at the end of 2007 in that list makes me think you may have a good reason to know them. And I’m sorry if you do 🙁 We used to have a support group at the old Baby Center, called Base Camp. I am still in touch with those ladies today (about 20 of them) on daily basis, and they became some of my best friends.

19. On October 15th, 2009 at 11:03 am Charlene Says:

    I have four beautiful and healthy girls. The oldest is 27 today. I had no idea there was “A Day to Remember”.
    How lucky am I that it falls on her b-day so I will always be able to recognize it and to remember that there but for the grace of God…
    I have friends that have experienced this profound loss, and my heart goes out to them and everyone else this day and always. Sending peace, love and light.

20. On October 15th, 2009 at 12:05 pm Suzie Morris Says:

    Nathan Michael

21. On October 15th, 2009 at 11:20 am Kristin Says:

    Mine were all lost too early to be considered stillborn. All were first trimester losses and only one has a name. Her name was Eva.

22. On October 15th, 2009 at 11:26 am Beautiful Mess Says:

    This day makes me so sad. All that heartbreak, seems so unfair. It also makes me love all the people who support the ones who need it so badly. My thoughts are with everyone who needs it today and always.
    *HUGS to everyone*

23. On October 15th, 2009 at 11:30 am kyslp Says:

    Thanks for reminding us. I am glad they (and their families) are being remembered and honored.

24. On October 15th, 2009 at 12:15 pm Ed Says:

    Second Barbara. You’re a good egg for bringing this to our attention.

25. On October 15th, 2009 at 12:20 pm Cara Says:

    Thanks for brining awareness to the topic. A friend of mine lost her son this way earlier this year.

26. On October 15th, 2009 at 12:21 pm MK Says:

    This is amazing.

    I’m all a mess today, apparently, because I’m crying at Christmas music and now this.

    I had a miscarriage. At 8 weeks. It was very very early, but still a loss. That said? I have 2 healthy (if not nutty) boys and can not even imagine the grief that these mothers, and their families, feel. The pregnant woman feels that baby for so long, bonds with that baby, and for them to be taken before you even get to know them. Sigh. My heart breaks for all of those lost too soon.

    Thank you for this.

27. On October 15th, 2009 at 12:21 pm Jayme Says:

    Raime, Elora & Connor
    http://thentherewere3.wordpress.com

    Thank you, Becky.

28. On October 15th, 2009 at 12:21 pm Sue Says:

    Thank you, Becky. So much.

    Love you.
    Sue

29. On October 15th, 2009 at 12:35 pm Fawn - Like A Deer Says:

    Addison Hope – 10/10/09

30. On October 15th, 2009 at 12:37 pm Mrs. Cline Says:

    Oh, my heart. Thank you for the tribute. This day is so hard, thank you for sharing this with us all.

    Baby Cline left our family on July 27, 2009 at 10w4d.

    I miss my baby every moment of every day.

31. On October 15th, 2009 at 1:39 pm Stesha Says:

    I scrolled down one name too many…

    Hugs and Mocha,
    Stesha

32. On October 15th, 2009 at 12:41 pm Zakary Says:

    Hugs. A nice tribute.

33. On October 15th, 2009 at 12:46 pm tash Says:

    Thank you so, so much Becky. Today also recognizes neonatal death; I couldn’t find recent stats, but according to MoD, in ’02 there were 19,000 neonatal deaths in the US. (that’s on top of stillbirths. Tough math.) And as someone above said, statistics are pretty meaningless unless you’re the number “1” on the left side of the colon.

    I’ll be lighting my candle tonight. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to know that others remember her, too. Much love.

34. On October 15th, 2009 at 12:59 pm leanne Says:

    You are doing a beautiful thing, Becky.

35. On October 15th, 2009 at 1:02 pm Bluebird Says:

    Thank you, Becky.

    Also remembering my baby boy and baby girl.

36. On October 15th, 2009 at 1:05 pm toywithme Says:

    My heart goes out to all those who have lost a child. I can only imagine how heart wrenching it would be.

37. On October 15th, 2009 at 1:19 pm stepnahead Says:

    Sean Isaac <3 … and Jessica Anne <3 who also represent about a dozen miscarriages between my now-18 year old daughter, and now-5 year old son.

38. On October 15th, 2009 at 2:04 pm Angelina Says:

    I can’t imagine the torment a mother goes through knowing her baby is gone and still having to deliver.

    My best friend’s sister lost her little boy Caleb the very night before she was to be induced due to issues with the umbilical cord.

    Also, my cousin Stephanie lost her baby (not sure what name they chose) at about 8 months.

    While I can’t say that I was very close with either of them I feel for them, and their angels will never be forgotten.

39. On October 15th, 2009 at 2:14 pm Elly Says:

    A few years ago I would have thought, “No. Aunt Becky must have accidentally added a few zeroes to that number.” But after losing a baby and talking with the women I work with, I learned that 5 out of 6 of them had suffered the same type of loss at some point in time. That is a LOT of loss. And I didn’t know it until after it happened to me and THEN they opened up to me.

40. On October 15th, 2009 at 3:15 pm Ms. Moon Says:

    My mother had a stillborn child but he did not have a name. I always feared that- what could be worse? And I have been so blessed for all my children to be born healthy.

41. On October 15th, 2009 at 2:23 pm Mel Says:

    Please add my sister “Becky”. Everytime I think of that, I am reminded of how strong my Mom is.

    Thank you for reminding us all to count our blessings.

42. On October 15th, 2009 at 2:30 pm Sasha Macdonald Says:

    My brother

    Julian ulysses,

    my mother has had many misscarrages and still births, some of which I’ve had to hold her hand through.
    I’ve held her while she cried and feared in my heart that I was fated the same pain that she’s had too much of.

    but to me, this one was different, this one was special.
    he was my twin, and the only one of the “Could-have-beens” that got a name.

    my mom has 4 children now, spread throughout 20 years and over 22 pregnancies,

43. On October 15th, 2009 at 2:41 pm kbrients Says:

    You are always so good for remembering. Thank you.

44. On October 15th, 2009 at 4:22 pm dubiousMa Says:

    Thank God, not me, but my sister….5 times! There’s nothing to joke about for a change.

45. On October 15th, 2009 at 3:35 pm foradifferentkindofgirl (fadkog) Says:

    Tonight I’ll be lighting a candle to remember these precious children, those my friends have lost, and Ashlynn Brooks, the daughter my husband and I lost eight years ago.

46. On October 15th, 2009 at 3:40 pm Tara Says:

    That list is far to long. I will be lighting a candle tonight at 7pm. God Bless you all.

47. On October 15th, 2009 at 5:04 pm Katy Says:

    I’ve had four miscarriages and the pain of that loss is awful but I can’t even fathom what it is to have a stillborn. I smock teeny tiny gowns and donate them to local hospitals for the babies who don’t survive. People think it’s macabre. I think the parents of those angels deserve the best. I pray with every stitch that having something beautiful that fits their child will ease their pain at least a little bit.

48. On October 15th, 2009 at 6:20 pm Katy Says:

    Here is the gown I’m finishing up: http://sewalongwithkaty.blogspot.com/2009/10/hug-your-babies.html

49. On October 16th, 2009 at 3:45 pm Emma Says:

    Katy, I tried to reply on your blog but I’m not a member of the right blogs-
    what I wanted to say is that what you’re doing is a good thing. Please don’t stop because some people think it’s macabre. It must be a very thankless thing to do, the parents (understandabley so) probably have too much on their minds to even think about thanking or rewarding you, but I know that the clothes you make must make such a difference. These are their children and they do deserve clothes. What I mean to say is good for you. Keep it up 🙂

50. On October 18th, 2009 at 9:44 am Katy Says:

    Thanks, Emma. Sorry it wouldn’t let you comment! Nah, no one will scare me off of wee care. I will admit that before I had my daughter I would have thought it was macabre too. We received several things people had made the various times Alice was hospitalized her first year. Even coming in to see her wearing a new hat brightened our day. I still have everything we were given and they all mean so much to me, even five years later. It meant a great deal to me that a stranger was willing to take the time to make something for *my* child, even if they had never met us. So, smocking is my way of paying it forward.

51. On October 18th, 2009 at 4:22 pm Your Aunt Becky Says:

    @Katy I’m planning to donate all of the small clothes and preemie hats I have from my kids (who were term, but small) to the NICU once I can bear to sort through them. I remember seeing Mimi in clothes and the normalcy of that made Dave and I feel just so good.

    So for us, buying and donating small clothes to the NICU is our way of paying it forward.

52. On October 15th, 2009 at 6:13 pm Holli Says:

    Thank you for remembering my girl.

53. On October 15th, 2009 at 5:14 pm Kendra Says:

    When I had an early miscarriage at the beginning of 2005, I was the only person I’d ever known to go through that. Plus, since it was early, I felt like my grief didn’t “count” as much as others’. When I met other women who’d gone through that and got their support (and had the opportunity to offer my own), it made all the difference in the world in my own healing.

    I didn’t know there was such A Day to Remember, but I’m so glad. A chance to thank all the women who were there for me and to offer my thoughts and prayers to all the grieving families.

54. On October 15th, 2009 at 5:29 pm Becca Says:

    I would ask you to add my twin siblings. They would be about 27 now, and every now and then I think about them and wonder what they would have been like.

55. On October 15th, 2009 at 6:45 pm CharmingBitch Says:

    My Jackson. Born in September 2006. Gone November 2006. Still so fucking raw.

56. On October 15th, 2009 at 7:24 pm CLC Says:

    Thank you for remembering my sweet Hannah and all of these babies that are sadly not here.

57. On October 15th, 2009 at 7:47 pm Pete in Az Says:

    One sister lost four and one sister lost three. One of the kids was named after me. That statistic doesn’t sound off to me.

    Not too good to end before you even get started.

58. On October 15th, 2009 at 8:18 pm Heather Says:

    Aunt Becky ~ Please add my son to your list Robert Daniel. He died 2 weeks before Christmas last year. He was 14 1/2months old. Thank you & thank you for today’s blog

59. On October 15th, 2009 at 9:19 pm Biscotti Says:

    Two years ago I lost my child who I really thought was a girl. I was going to name her Ellery. Thank you for remembering her.

60. On October 16th, 2009 at 12:02 am Nyx Says:

    Thankyou for doing this. I have never had a child, but even if I had I don’t think I would be able to comprehend the sorrow that these parents face.

    They matter. And they will always be remembered.

61. On October 16th, 2009 at 2:30 am Claire Gregory Says:

    I will never, never, ever forget the feeling of leaning down to pick something up off the floor at 40 weeks and 4 days of pregnancy and feeling a heavy, completely still weight in my stomach where there had been a squirming baby only hours before. She’d had a cord accident- I’d never even heard of that. Didn’t know it was possible. And I couldn’t ever imagine it happening to me and my family.

    Thank God, thank God, they got her out in time, and I would take a million of the awful month we had in intensive care above the alternative. But every single day I think about what could have been, and my heart absolutely bleeds for those who weren’t so lucky.

    I’ll light a candle tonight too, and thanks for bringing it to all of our attention.

62. On October 16th, 2009 at 6:21 am ryanandjoesmom Says:

    Thank you for remembering. You rock my socks, girl!

63. On October 16th, 2009 at 7:02 am krlr Says:

    Brennan.
    4/6/04. 3 weeks shy of his due date.
    Amniotic band around the cord. Apparently pulled tight when he dropped. Felt him kicking a LOT on 4/5. Went in the next morning for a regular appt and they couldn’t find a heartbeat. Not amniotic band syndrome, which has a real dx code – just a lone loose bit of tissue floating around like a landmine. My MD later said the extra kicking was probably death throes. That was a nice image to be left with.

64. On October 16th, 2009 at 7:43 am Lisa Says:

    Please, please Add Kaitlyn Grace. I do not have a website for her. She was born still after a 38 week pregnancy.

65. On October 16th, 2009 at 7:57 am Melissa Says:

    Thank you!

66. On October 16th, 2009 at 8:18 am Kate Says:

    That number sounds way, way too big, but I guess the hurt attached to it is even bigger.

67. On October 16th, 2009 at 8:24 am Jenn Says:

    Love you. xoxo

68. On October 16th, 2009 at 9:48 am Jennifer Says:

    Check out http://www.tantrumsandtequila.com/2009/10/one-lovely-blog-award.html

    you have a new award!

69. On October 16th, 2009 at 11:20 am Your Aunt Becky Says:

    Hey Jenn! I can’t comment on your blog. I’ve been trying, but the comment box thingy hates me and I can’t fill in the CAPITCHA thingy, lover.

70. On October 16th, 2009 at 9:08 am MoranChick Says:

    I can’t even read this too closely today because I can’t afford to spend all day crying, but I am keeping all the families who have lost little ones far, far before their times in my thoughts and prayers. Bless you for bringing this to our attention, Aunt Becky.

71. On October 16th, 2009 at 9:45 am Amanda Says:

    Thank you for posting this and thank you letting me add my little man’s name.

    Even if I did cry as I asked yesterday.

72. On October 16th, 2009 at 11:27 am Your Aunt Becky Says:

    @Amanda They tell me crying is okay. So cry. It’s good.

73. On October 16th, 2009 at 9:58 am Grace Matthews Says:

    That is so sad…you would think that with technology today they would be able to do more about it. I should have an older sister right now named Cathy.
    I have a gift for you to celebrate your awesomeness…hop over to my blog and grab it 🙂

74. On October 16th, 2009 at 10:36 am Christine Says:

    thank you aunt becky.

75. On October 16th, 2009 at 8:56 pm H. Gregg Says:

    I didn’t know there was a day to remember and I found out a day too late. But next year and many times before then, I will remember my sister’s baby, Josie Ree Smith. My sister miscarried at 16 weeks and had to go through “labor” to deliver her. I was in the room with her, I drove her home from the hospital, and I spent time with her in the weeks afterward. It still makes me sad and talking about it makes me cry.

76. On October 18th, 2009 at 3:47 pm Your Aunt Becky Says:

    I am going to add your sister’s baby (your niece) to this list so that next year, or the next time I pay tribute, we will remember her as well.

    I’m so sorry for your loss.

77. On October 19th, 2009 at 9:39 am steven germain Says:

    By Kathleen Bonnano

    Death Barged In

    In his Russian greatcoat,
    slamming open the door
    with an unpardonable bang,
    and he has been here ever since.

    He changes everything,
    rearranges the furniture,
    his hand hovers
    by the phone;
    he will answer now, he says;
    he will be the answer.

    Tonight he sits down to dinner
    at the head of the table
    as we eat, mute;
    later, he climbs into bed
    between us.

    Even as I sit here,
    he stands behind me
    clamping two
    colossal hands on my shoulders
    and bends down
    and whispers to my neck:
    From now on,
    you write about me.

78. On October 20th, 2009 at 8:47 am Your Aunt Becky Says:

    @steven Beautiful poem. I seem to have something in my eye now.

79. On October 19th, 2009 at 4:46 pm Kim Says:

    Thank you, again, friend.

    You never forget my Jonathan.

    xoxo

80. On October 20th, 2009 at 9:50 am Your Aunt Becky Says:

    @Kim I never do. I always remember Jonathan.

81. On November 17th, 2009 at 10:41 am Today We Fight at Mommy Wants Vodka Says:

    […] you’d like to add the name of a baby who has passed to my Wall of Remembrance, please, leave me a comment or send me an email to […]

82. On November 18th, 2009 at 11:58 am Kat Says:

    My sister lost a little boy at 37 weeks. Draven Fredrick will always be an angel watching over us.

83. On November 19th, 2009 at 11:55 am Your Aunt Becky Says:

    I am so sorry for the loss of your nephew. I will add him to the Wall of Remembrance.

84. On January 5th, 2010 at 5:10 am Little Miss Hopeful Says:

    Becky, it means so much to me to see Caden’s name up here, that you remember him when so many people in our lives ignore him. A million thankyous.