Remembering Leyna

Last Thursday was Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. Families all over the globe were encouraged to light a candle, say a prayer, or anything else that would commemorate the special child that was lost. Kurt and I lit a candle and made a small memorial for our sweet baby girl Leyna lost last year on November 22, 2008. Leyna passed away in utero during my pregnancy and I delivered her at 8:30pm that chilly November day. I took a picture of the memorial we made. In addition to the candle we lit for her, the memorial had a UGA onesie we bought when we found out we were pregnant, an ultrasound of Leyna, a blanket and hat knitted for her by the nurses in the hospital, a pretend birth certificate the nurses made (because you don't get a real one if your baby is not born alive), and the hospital bracelets she and I would have worn. The 2 little black smudges on the certificate are her very tiny footprints. Kurt and I had not looked at these things in nearly a year. I was surprised by how just seeing them again could bring back those old memories and feelings. I thought I had grieved and healed most of these feelings. But there they were all fresh and new. I felt transported back in time. But although this memorial brought with it lots of tears, I was glad we did it. We love and miss you Leyna. We will never, ever, ever forget you.