Walking in Memory of Aubrey

Next week is baby loss awareness week.  I won't write a lot about it because I figure I talk about Aubrey enough on this blog to bring awareness to the baby loss world, but I would like to tell you about the memory walk Sam and I participated in on Saturday.  The walk included a guest speaker, balloon release, bake sale, silent auction, and the walk itself.   The purpose of the memory walk was to raise money to provide baskets to parents who would otherwise leave the hospital empty handed.  Each basket includes a cute outfit, blanket, stuffed animal, and picture frame among other things an angel parent might need/want. 

The guest speaker told the story of her four year old daughter who battled cancer for 19 months before passing away.  Her story helped show us that we are truly doing the right thing by donating to St. Jude in Aubrey's name.  We might have lost our daughter, but we didn't have to watch her suffer. 

We sent notes to our angels via balloons.

Sam and I were talking about the balloon release, and we decided that it is kind of like the angel babies themselves.  You hold them for a short time then release them knowing you can never get them back.

This is one of the baskets ready for the hospital. 

I have to say that my friends are amazing!  When I put on facebook that we were going to participate in the memory walk, many people asked how they could help.  My friend, Amber, made precious bracelets to include in the hospital baskets and my Highland Park family (the school where I used to teach) all pitched in to make an amazing basket for the silent auction.  It was so awesome that we ended up breaking it up into two baskets to raise more money!  One of my former co-workers from Highland Park who's parents live in the area where the walk was held, even came by to remember Presley (another angel baby who's mom hosts this event) and Aubrey. 

The larger of the two Highland Park baskets after we split them up. 

The smaller Highland Park basket.  

Mandy, Sam's cousin's wife our cousin, made a couple of Scentsy baskets too.

Over all, it was a great day!  Not only did we remember our sweet Aubrey and raise money for a great cause, I was able to meet other angel moms and hear their stories as well as share Aubrey's story.