HI Mama,
You don't know me, but if you're reading this blog, we are walking the same path--the path of grief after the loss of a child. It is my hope through this blog that you will find like-minded mamas, like me, who actually understand this pain and loss
First, it is my hope that as you read this, there is a moment in the sea of grief for you to see you are not alone, and you have a community behind you to give you support. We are members of the same club. It is not one we were eager to join, nor wish to be a part of; however, we are now Angel Mamas. Our beautiful little baby was taken from us, and it is a pain that will never completely leave you. I won't tell you it gets better because the pain you are feeling will never go away, but we, as mothers, find the strength and endurance to survive, especially if we have other babies to care for.
Second, it is my hope that by learning of my story, maybe you will be able to see that, although your heart is broken, your life will somenow prevail. You will carry your little angel with you forever. Days can be good or bad, but your love Ior your little one will
help you to somehow prevail on those bad days.
November 23, 2021, I was 8 months pregnant with my beautiful baby girl, Noella Christina. Noella was my second child after my son was born in 2019. My pregnancy with Noella was difficult with terrible morning sickness, two bouts of food poisoning, and a mild case of COVID, but somehow she managed to survive them all. She was an active baby. always kicking and flipping around in my belly. She loved it when I ate nectarines and pound cake and hated the smell of coffee. We had scheduled an induction in three weeks, and I was going into my doctors for a routine sonogram. At the time, I didn't feel much movement from her, but I just assumed that it was my crazy pregnancy anxiety getting the best of me. How wrong I would end up being. I went in for the sonogram only for the technician and nurse to tell me there was no heartbeat. My baby girl was gone. The rest of the day was a blur between the shock, my mom coming to get me, my husband holding me as I sobbed, getting my son set to go off to my parents, and going to the hospital. The next clear image I had was the doctor performing a C-section and pulling my lifeless baby girl out.
My husband and I have been together for ten years this March, and in that time I have never seen him cry, but in that moment his knees hit the ground, and our whole world fell apart. The umbilical cord had wrapped around her throat four times, and my sweet
angel girl went to sleep and never woke up again. We buried her the following Monday.
Although this has been a little over a year ago, my husband and I are still trying to piece our lives back together. It has been balancing act that we have, many times throughout this process, struggled to do. I have my three-year-old son still to bring me joy, but then when I'm alone, I am so engrossed in the grief. Some days I am able to function, don't cry, and think of what we lost. Other days, I am so overcome with emotions that I am exhausted with feelings and drenched in my tears.
Dear Mama, I wish I could give you a time frame as to when this pain will go away. It never will, but you will learn how to live with it, and somehow piece your life back together. I know it's hard, Mama, to let go o all the dreams and expectations you wanted for your baby, but you are strong. We women are amazing creatures, and we can do anything
I've found great comtort in cardinals since my daughter died. Cardinals aren't a bird you see a lot, but when you do see one, it's special and vivid. Your angel was a cardinal; bright, vivid, and brief, but so very special. Your angel was very beautiful and brought a touch of magic to your life, but like a cardinal, it flutters away before you can capture it.
But you, sweet Mama, I want you to remember you are a butterfly. Right now, you are beautiful, but fragile. You flutter away from people because you're sad, or angry, or just frankly don't want to be around people. That's ok. Be your own beautiful butterfly,
Mama. Make your cocoon and rest. When you are ready, emerge the beautirul, strong creature you were meant to be. Arise from your grief stronger than before. There is no time limit for your grief. Don't let anyone tell you to rush or hurry up, but when you are
ready, be sure to honor your angel with living.
It is my hope that my Noella is working through me and helping me to reach out to you, Mama, and give you the hug and love you so need right now.
It is my hope you will come along with me through my journey, and as I help you, know you are helping me, too. Please know I am here for you. I am still living my grief day to day. Some days I feel as though it was all a bad dream. However. maybe by reaching out to you and others, we can keep the spirit and memories of our babies alive. Dear Mama, you can reach me at my email address: myangelnoella@gmail.com.
This is my baby's legacy on this earth. She may have been here for a brief time, but her life burned so bright, and her spirit burns in my heart. This is how I will keep her alive for us.
Please take care of yourself, Mama! Your baby loved you, and so you should remember to always love yourself.
Many Blessings!
Always,
Noella's Mama
"My hearts broken in ways most people don't understand." - Sara Millen
Bio: Erin is a proud mama of Santo James and a beautiful angel baby girl, Noella Christina. Erin works as a job developer for individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health issues. She suffered the traumatic loss of her daughter in November 2021, a mere three weeks before her daughter was born, due to an umbilical cord strangulation. While navigating a balancing act of being "mommy" and a mother in mourning, she has come out of the most difficult time in her family's life with a newfound sense of empowerment, health and appreciation for the life she has with her husband and son. It is with the help of Rachel's Gift, she hopes to help other mama's the way other so many have helped her throughout her grief journey. With her blog, Noella's Note, she prays that mothers in mourning know they are not alone, and they are loved.