Letter from Sarah's nurse & the NICU dress fund

Today we received a beautiful letter from one of Sarah's nurses.  R. was working the last night when we were called in when Sarah went in for emergency surgery.  She was with the Drs. when they came to tell us that things were bad and that Sarah was very likely going to die.  She stayed past the end of her shift and worked with another nurse to help us understand all that was happening and offered support as we made decisions. When we asked for a photographer they called one and R. asked if we wanted a dress to put on Sarah.  At first I said no-despite the face that the drs. had said she had a 0% chance at surviving more than a couple days, I was clinging to hope and didn't want to disturb our fragile girl.  A bit later, she asked again and we decided to just lay the dress on Sarah and tuck it around her so as not to move her much.  It was a beautiful white crocheted dress with a pink rosette and was just what I had envisioned for her baptism dress.  Later, after pictures, I asked about it and if they had lots of dresses--I assumed there was a closet-full.  R. said that she had been given the dress awhile ago and told to give it to a family who needed it. For whatever reason, she felt we were the right family.  That kindness shown to us and our daughter took a bit of the rawness out of the day.  Our girl was "dressed up" for a bit and we got to have sweet pictures taken as a family.

We started a fund to provide dresses to families whose premies are in the NICU where Sarah was.  Much more was generously given that we ever thought.  The letter says that the donations given in Sarah's name "have currently purchased over 75 beautifully handmade layette sets for infants and their grieving families."  Additionally one of their knitters "is from England and her profits from our [the hospital's] purchases all go to a charity known as Love Light Romania which supports children affected by disease and poverty in Romania." 

We are humbled to know that children and families are being cared for because of Sarah and so many generous people.  

Celebrate Sarah's birthday with us!

We will never know the extent of who was praying for and supporting us a year ago as our daughter, Sarah, was born prematurely and died nine days later.  As her birthday approaches, please help us

• celebrate her life,
• honor the wonderful Drs and nurses who fought for her life with us, and
• honor the wonderful family and friends who have supported us  

We believe that all life is precious--an infant who was on earth a short time as well as every person we are surrounded with each day.  All life is special and no one should ever be taken for granted or feel unimportant.  

Additionally, in our family birthdays are special and the first birthday is always a celebration of our child but also of our survival through that first, sleep deprived year!  This year was filled with its own struggles as we’ve grieved individually and as a family and...we’ve made it.  

From August 14-23 (the days of Sarah’s life with us), please do something to recognize and honor life--such as take time to listen to someone, offer assistance to someone in need, call or write to someone who may be lonely.  Focus on showing value and love to someone’s life.  If you’d like to leave a message of what you’ve done on our blog (below), that would be great.  If you’d like to stay anonymous, that’s fine too.  And if you'd like to donate to the NICU dress fund we started at Royal Oak Beaumont hospital, the information is below.  

Thank you for celebrating with us!

You are loved,

Patrick and Heather

http://sarahs-baby-steps.blogspot.com/

NICU Dress fund
Donations can be made to “William Beaumont Hospital NICU” in memory of Sarah Shaw.  Before she passed away, her nurses gave her a dress so we could dress her once and take some pictures as a family to help us remember her.  We would like to provide dresses in Sarah’s memory for other families who have to say goodbye to their little girls-this is a fund we started to support families in their grief. Checks or micro-preemie dresses (button or closures in the back, please) may be sent to William Beaumont Hospital 3601 W. Thirteen Mile Rd. Royal Oak, MI 48073-6769  Attn: Mara Sipols) Please put "Sarah Shaw" in the memo of checks so your donation goes to the right fund.  Thank you!