Searching for Safe Harbor

I didn't forget Kai's corner for Halloween 2011. But sorry for the crappy pics, I only had time to take them with my phone. Tomorrow I'll post some pics of our carved pumpkins. :) I hope you have a Happy Halloween, dear mamas.

I had a son. His name is Kai Edward. Although I grieve for him everyday of my life, I am also thankful to have carried him, loved on him, held him in my arms. He will always be a part of who I am, who I had become and who I will be. My beloved son. My forever angel.

I will remember him and his angel friends whose mothers I share this journey with, my sisters not just in grief but also in love, hope and gratitude. Tonight, I light a candle in memory of our lost children.

 "As parents and siblings and grandparents and families, we come together to honor the lives of babies and children who died too soon. As families, we will tell the world that children can and do die. Together, we can educate others and make the world a more compassionate place for the bereaved. Open your mouths. Open your minds. Open your hearts... October is Infant and Child Death Awareness Month. Please share with others as we remember the precious and beloved babies and children who died too soon." - From the MISS Foundation.

We attended our support group's annual Service of Remembrance today. The event was held in the same park as last year's service. I think there was a lot of bereaved parents who attended this year. Some I recognized from previous meetings, while others were new faces. It was a nice day among the tall redwood trees and as always, the event was solemn and comforting in spite of the tears. I hope HAND will continue to host the Service of Remembrance, I could see it as one of the rituals/traditions we would go to every October to commemorate our beloved Kai and his angel friends.

We wore our "I Am The Face" t-shirts again this year.

The stage where bereaved parents read poems, listened to their babies' names mentioned and watched white doves fly.

Kai's quilt square front and center in one of the quilts on public display. Stars for baby names and of course, us by Kai's quilt square.

Hubby and our friend, Grace, looking at the quilts.

Our friend, Grace, who was able to attend the service with us this year. I'm glad that she's able to make it to this solemn event and remember Kai with us. She's one of my friends who knew how to stay back when needed and reach out every so often to let us know that she's there for us as we go through our grief journey.