Its Harder Than it Should Be

I finally did it.

I have been apprehensive about delivering blankets to the hospital where we lost Greyson. I have had the blankets neatly stashed away for a couple of months now. (YES, that long!) I made all the arrangements, talked to the director many times, and even made an appt. to deliver them in October. Which I then cancelled the day before. I blamed it on sick children, but I could have made it if I had wanted to. It was just an easy excuse.

Why did I not want to go? Wasn't this the whole point? Many ladies out there were counting on me to do as I promised! So many of you have touched me with your stories, words of comfort, and not to mention the amazing, precious blankets I have received. Yet, still, I could not bring myself to go.

My husband offered to do it for me. My friends offered to take them for me. Even though I was thankful, I said no. I had to do this myself. Some months before I promised a very special little boy I would do this. I would be brave. I would keep my promise.

It wasn't until I started hearing back from all of you who have chosen to do this for your own hospital, that I decided to go. What an inspiration and help all of you have been. I love hearing about your experiences. Please continue to share them with me and my family. May all of you have a wonderful Christmas season. May God bless you and your family, just as you have blessed mine.

Love, Meryn

TALLY UP...

335

blankets have been donated so far!
THANK YOU soo much!

3rd Donation Down

We have made a donation to our third hospital!!

This has been such an amazing experience for me. I am so touched by each blanket I receive. They are so precious, and perfect!

Thanks to everyone who has made this possible. What a great thing you have done for me and the mothers out there who will treasure your sweet blankets!

(I will post my experiences with this soon!)

WE MADE OUR FIRST GOAL!

Yeah, Yeah, YEAH!
We have made it to our FIRST goal for Arlington Medical Center!

I will be delivering the precious,
adorable,
perfect blankets
you have all made very soon.

I will be sure to keep all of you posted. Thanks so much for the wonderful work you have all done!

Our next hospital will be....

Mansfield Methodist Hospital
Mansfield, TX

Helping in your area...

I have had many contact me about starting this in their own areas. Some of you have volunteered to help with the hospitals and mortuaries close to home.

As much as I would love to contact every hospital, I cannot. I am extremely grateful for those that are willing to spread this out across the world! I am putting together "start-up" packets for anyone out there that would like to make a difference in their own communities. It will contain information on how to contact your own hospital, and other important information to help you get started.

If anyone is interested in being a sponsor for Greyson's Gift in their own community, please email me. I will get out a packet to you right away. This would be a great job for someone who may not know how to sew, but would still like to contribute in some way!

Thanks so much to all of you!
Every time I receive a package
with your precious blankets inside, it warms my heart.

I feel myself starting to heal, and I owe it to all of you!

I am looking for your help. Hospitals all across the country are in need of small, very small, baby blankets. In cases of fetal demise, babies are so tiny, even the smallest nursery blanket is much too big to wrap around their tiny bodies.

I know how parents feel when they are presented with their tiny baby, for the first and last time. Having to deal with a large blanket that doesn't fit, is a distraction. And, unnecessary.

If you can sew or crotchet/knit, would you please help me to supply blankets for these mothers?

My doctor informed me that 30% of all pregnancies end in fetal demise!

I know we can make a small yet, dramatic difference in the experience these mothers and fathers have in the hospital. It is heartbreaking for the nurses to try and present these tiny babies in the best way possible to grieving parents. They are extremely appreciative of any donations we can give.

What hospitals are looking for.

Our first donations will go to the hospital where I delivered Greyson. I am wanting to supply them with a never-ending stash of blankets, but to start with....

what they need:
12" x 12" and 24" x 24" flannel receiving blankets, in small pink, baby blue, white, and yellow prints. Use your best judgement, we don't want the prints of the blankets to detract from very small babies.

The blankets also need to be double layered.

For those who have already jumped in to help and have blankets other than the specifics above, DON'T WORRY! We can still use your blankets. (check out the next post)

They have also asked for baby gowns, which we will get to soon, but I am starting with the blankets first.

What mortuary's are looking for.

When my sister learned of me losing my baby, she went to work straight away. She made the most delicate and gorgeous baby afghan for me. It is the one pictured above with the teddy bear. I recieved that bear from the mortuary. Those two things, I hold dear to my heart. They are all I have of my little baby, and I treasure them.

Tate Mortuary in Tooele, Utah was amazing! First of all, they would not accept any type of payment for all they did. Which was alot! My amazing sister had a great idea on how I could repay them for all they did for us. Give donations of crocheted blankets, that they may use during instances like mine. My mother has contacted them, and they were ecstatic about the idea! They are looking for any type, size, and color. And they will use them for many circumstances. Whether it's to give to the parents as a token of comfort, or to wrap and bury their baby in.

So whether you sew, knit or crotchet, you can make something very special for a greiving family.

I am just getting started here, so please check back often for new information.

Blankets are starting to come in!

I am in awe of all the wonderful talented women out there!
Thanks so much for your time, talents and labor.

I am hoping to have Arlington Medical Center supplied with blankets by the end of the month. We are close! Keep them coming, there is always another hospital waiting!

Our goal for Arlington Medical Center

I don't have time to update the graph, but I wanted to let everyone know where we stand.

Our current total of blankets is...
35 small blankets
8 medium blankets

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Our goal for Arlington Medical Center is getting close!
We need more 24"x 24" blankets.