Wrapped in Love Ministries was born out of my desire to help others cope with the loss of a child, as a result of my own loss. Here's my story.
When I was 9 years old (1981) my mother had a stillborn daughter. I still remember the day very well. My parents sat us down on the couch to tell us and it has forever changed who I am. When you have a stillborn you have to carry your baby until your body goes into labor (at least at that time you had to). I can't even imagine carrying around a baby, knowing that it's no longer alive. My mother was 8 months pregnant when she lost my sister, but didn't go into labor for 15 days. My heart breaks for her. I could still cry and it's been 30+ years.
Fast forward 25 years. I was married with 4 children, and pregnant with my 5th child, when I had my first miscarriage. I was devastated. I didn't think anything could compare to the loss I felt. However, as I began to heal I realized if I could just help one person get through a miscarriage, then the loss I had been through would make it worth it. Eleven months later I was pregnant again, and I had a feeling this time it was twins. By the time I was 5 or 6 weeks pregnant I was in maternity clothes. As I was having my ultrasound, I went through a series of serious emotions. You see, I was told I was pregnant with triplets, but that I had already lost one of them. The other 2 fetuses had developed to the point where you could tell they were babies, but they couldn't find one of the heartbeats and the other one was very slow. There was a high chance I was going to miscarry both of them as well. I prayed so hard....for 2 weeks. No sign of miscarriage; although, with regular bloodwork, my "numbers" were going down, which was not a good sign. I did end up losing all 3 of our babies. It was then that I had a small glimmer of what my mother had gone through. Even though I was farther along with this pregnancy than I had been with my first miscarriage, it was not far enough for it to be considered a stillborn, but my heart was broken nonetheless.
After four months of complications, I decided I was done having children. Those complications were a daily reminder of what I had lost. I remember very distinctly being at church one Wednesday night, crying out to God, "I DON'T WANT TO CRY ANYMORE!!!" Less than 3 weeks later I found out I was pregnant. The fear that came upon me with that pregnancy was so strong. Yet, we now have a beautiful daughter. We gave her the middle name "Joy" because God had replaced our tears.
My next miscarriage was my "silent" miscarriage. In 2009 I was pregnant, with what was to be, our 6th child. Once again I just knew it was twins. Now that I was considered a "high risk" pregnancy I would have early, and regular, ultrasounds. I was only about 7 weeks along, but the technician was able to find my daughters heartbeat right away. After having her look again, she found another fetus; but I had also miscarried that baby. There is such a mix of emotions when you hear something like that. I was so happy I had a healthy baby with a strong heartbeat! But I wanted to cry for yet another baby I had lost. My husband and I told no one about this loss. Not our children, not my mother, no one. It was too painful to constantly relive the heartache, every time someone asks if you're ok.
Most people see the children we do have and don't have any idea the pain we have been through, or even know that we have lost almost as many children as we have living. It hasn't been easy, but it makes us more thankful for the ones we do have.
I have friends in my life who have had stillborn babies, and my heart breaks for them. I cry for their loss, and their broken hearts.
The one thing that I was so aware of as I lost our triplets, was the feeling of emptiness. I would never have those babies to hold, and never have any pictures of them, to keep as memories. I wanted something tangible to hold onto, something to hug as I cried for my loss. That is where my heart birthed this ministry; to give mothers (and fathers) something tangible to keep, to help with the healing process.
My intent and desire of this ministry, is to give preemie size afghans to those parents who have either had stillborn births, or micro preemies that may not make it beyond a few days or weeks. Whether the parents choose to use the afghans as a burial blanket, or keep it as a memory will be their choice. My heart is that they would know that someone cares. It could make all the difference in the world to them.
For contributions: Blankets can be crocheted, knitted, or sewn. Size is not mandatory, but blankets should be approx. 20" X 20". Please use a soft yarn. All colors and patterns are welcome.
Blankets should be mailed to:
Wrapped in Love Ministries
c/o Ambassador Crochet
29 Liska Road
Willington, CT 06279
I have friends in my life who have had stillborn babies, and my heart breaks for them. I cry for their loss, and their broken hearts.
The one thing that I was so aware of as I lost our triplets, was the feeling of emptiness. I would never have those babies to hold, and never have any pictures of them, to keep as memories. I wanted something tangible to hold onto, something to hug as I cried for my loss. That is where my heart birthed this ministry; to give mothers (and fathers) something tangible to keep, to help with the healing process.
My intent and desire of this ministry, is to give preemie size afghans to those parents who have either had stillborn births, or micro preemies that may not make it beyond a few days or weeks. Whether the parents choose to use the afghans as a burial blanket, or keep it as a memory will be their choice. My heart is that they would know that someone cares. It could make all the difference in the world to them.
For contributions: Blankets can be crocheted, knitted, or sewn. Size is not mandatory, but blankets should be approx. 20" X 20". Please use a soft yarn. All colors and patterns are welcome.
Blankets should be mailed to:
Wrapped in Love Ministries
c/o Ambassador Crochet
29 Liska Road
Willington, CT 06279
