My Story

One July 1, 2009 I entered the Medical Center of Arlington to deliver my beautiful baby boy, of which I knew had passed away two days before. His heart had stopped beating. It was a sureal experience walking into that hospital knowing what needed to be done. With my husband and mother by my side, I had to do the unthinkable.

My tiny baby of 1 lb. was delivered shortly after. We named him Greyson. And he was perfect. I remember his tiny little hands and feet. His small little face. He looked so little wrapped up in the nursery blanket. It was all so overwhelming, and peaceful at the same time. I loved holding his tiny little body in my arms. This was the last time I would see his tiny little face here on earth. Such a tiny baby in a big blanket it seemed. We said our goodbyes, and the nurse took him away.

After this experience, I have thought alot about that day. I think about others who have gone through this. Friends, family, and other loved ones. And those who I have not had the privledge to meet. Was their situation the same as mine? Did they hold their tiny baby in layers of blankets? Did it overwhelm them as it did me?

On that day, in the midst of all the sadness, and mourning, I received a gift. A gift from my tiny baby boy. He gave me an idea, of which, I promised to carry out. For all those mothers who enter the hospital wanting so badly to hold their baby in their arms and come home empty handed. This would be for them.

A gift by Greyson,
from me,
from you,
to them.

Mommy feels you, Greyson. And this is how I honor your memory.

I love 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.

If you would like to help in this cause, please start reading at the very beginning and learn about Greyson's Gift.
Be sure to scroll all the way down to the bottom for new information and updates

9/3/09

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.

36 comments:

Kamerin Tangaro said...

Meryn,
This is just AWESOME! I will help do what I can, I don't have a creative bone in my body...but I will do what I can. I love you!

Anonymous said...

You dont know me.I am LDS in Australia and i want to share grayson's gift to other little babies here.You are on strong lady.And i thankyou for that.I will now be able to give somelove to thers who really needed it.Thankyou once more.

Kari Sweeten said...

I am so touched with your story and how you have made it a stepping stone to change the lives of others. I would be honored to be a part of this much needed service. Please get me the address my readers can ship their blankets to so I can post that information on my blog. Thank you so much.

Jules said...

My heart is breaking for you and the loss of sweet Greyson. What a beautiful way to honor his life and leave a legacy. My firstborn was stillborn at 40 weeks and I have walked the road you are on right now. I look forward to sitting down at my sewing machine and making blankets to comfort parents in their darkest season. Thank you for starting this.

Heather (Laptops to Lullabies) said...

What a wonderful project. I am definitely in, and I just posted about it on my blog (http://laptopstolullabies.blogspot.com/2009/09/tiny-blankets-for-tiny-babies.html) and encouraged my readers to make blankets as well.

tinahead81 said...

when you post shipping info, i'd love to help. thank you for sharing your story. also thank you for your strength in helping other parents. i'm sure that greyson is watching over you and that he is proud of his mommy.

Cheryl @ a pretty cool life. said...

What a wonderful project. I will be more than happy to donate my time and effort to help parents when I have so much with two healthy little boys.

I'll be linking to you.

Natalie@Endless Crafting said...

I would love to help and I will spread the word. I live in California, where do I send them?

Lisa said...

This is a wonderful idea.
I too had a little boy who was stillborn. He was so small, nothing would fit his little perfect body. I did buy a package of baby booties, and one fit on his head and looked just like a baby hat.
The funeral home here in town did the same thing as yours. Would not accept a dime for all that they did for me and my little boy.

Meryntha said...

Thanks so much to all of you!!!! I can't help but be moved by the touching comments. I am fighting back tears as I type!!!

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

Jenny Jensen said...

I have made such a blanket for my own precious tiny baby boy. I will spread the word also.

Crafts and Deals said...

I will get mine in the mail today. Thank you for letting us know about this wonderful project! Please let us know where else we can send them in the future!

Kerri Marie said...

this is a wonderful idea. My daughter, Katie was also a fetal demise and it would have been nice to have something that was her size to hold to remember her by. I will send some in her memory and for all those who have to go through such a heart braking day.

Kellybean said...

Thank you so much for this! My sisiter is going through this as we speak. What a blessing for me to have come accross this today when my family is so sad. I am so happy to help!

mamammelloves said...

I would love to help! What a great idea! My sister lost her 3rd baby in the first trimester, but it was too small for her to be able to see and hold it. I can't even begin to imagine the heartache of this kind of loss.

I have some fabrics here (I think just cotton), but no flannel. Let me know if cotton is okay, and I'll start making some little quilts. :)

Steph @ somewhatsimple said...

I am on it. I will post this on my blog too! What a great way to honor your son!

Unknown said...

Thank so much for this post and your story. I delivered a baby girl at 17 weeks and struggled on whether or not bring a blanket to the hospital... I still regret not bringing her one. I am seven weeks away from delievering a full term baby girl, but I think about the baby I lost everyday. Joining you in helping make blankets will bring me much healinq... I have already added a post linking to your blog in hopes of reaching more mommies!
http://fey-next2heaven.blogspot.com/

Care said...

Thank you for this. What healing.

I need to know: Are quilt-weight cotton fabrics acceptable? I have so many, in perfect colors, and would love to sew them up for this cause.

Michele said...

Such a sad event in anyone's life. Several friends and family members have had similar experiences and it is always a challenge to know how to help. A gift of love and time that really fits the need is perfect!

I work with a church young women group, ages 12 - 18 and we are going to have a class on learning how to croche,t and their project will be to each creat a beautiful little blanket to donate. Some of them already know how to crochet and knit, so I'm sure we'll have MANY to send. Thanks for sharing your story, passion and heart.

Emily said...

God bless you for bringing such a wonderful project out of such terrible loss. My coworkers and I get together monthly to knit/crochet/sew/etc together. Our next get-to-gether is next week. I will propose that we all make some blankets to send your way. Good luck!

mamammelloves said...

I scheduled a blog post for tomorrow am about this too. :)

Eileen Izatt Burton said...

Dear Meryn, Nicole told me about this after your graveside service and I was so moved I called Brooke and Nicki and told them. I have never taken the time to let you know how sorry I am that you had to go through this. I wanted to do something to help take the pain away (which is so impossible) But please know that we love you and pray for you and your little family. What a totally awesome way to make something good of a hard situation! You will probably be over run with blankets, but so be it. You're a great person and I am so glad that you and your family came into my family's life. I love you.
Eileen

Meryn said...

We can take any type of blanket. Cotton, Flannel, Fleece, Crochet, Knit, etc. The flannel ones will be used in the hospitals, and all others will be taken to comfort families at the mortuaries.
Again, thanks so much to everyone who is willing to help! I don't even have words to say how I feel right now!

The Johnsons said...

I am so sorry for your loose! I too have experienced the loose a baby. I have posted on my blog linking to your site. http://craftyfuntime.blogspot.com/2009/09/greysons-gift.html thank you so much for organizing such a wonderful project.

Anonymous said...

Hi. You don't know me, but I am a fellow blogger. I found you through some other blog. I really admire you for doing this. I too have lost a baby due to fetal demise and I know how hard it is. I am definitely goingto make some blankets and I posted this story on my blog in hopes that others will join me. Thank you!!

Mindy said...

I lost my son in July from demise. He was born still and forever sweet! I'll happily post this on my blog, and raise my candle on Oct. 15th for Greyson as well as my Joseph.

Glenda said...

I started on some blankets tonight and will finish them this week and mail to you. I have never lost a child, but have a special needs grandchild so I know something of the sorrow that accompanies an unexpected ending to a promising pregnancy.

flarffy2000 said...

I live in Utah and I'm wondering if I could drop the blanket's off in Tooele? This would save me shipping. Thanks so much, Monica

Anonymous said...

I lost a little boy 11 years ago and I still think of him. There will always be a hole in our family where he ought to be. Also, my cousin just went through a heartbreaking loss at 40 weeks.
Also, I don't know if you are aware of this site, but check our "names in the sand." It is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.
And I will be sending blankets!

Meryntha said...

Monica,
Email me, I have a sister in Tooele. I will get you the info on where to drop off the blankets. Thanks so much,
Meryn

Stephanie said...

I just did a blog post about your site. I hope it brings you a few more blankets.

Sew Can Do said...

I saw a link to your blog and was so touched at what a wonderful thing you have come up with to help others going through such a heartwrenching experience. It truly inspired me to make something immediately. I will be sending in what I've made and linking to you on my blog and hope others are as moved to take part.

Anonymous said...

I think this is such a wonderful thing. I'll get started on some blankets as soon as I can.

Fawnda@Fireflies and Jellybeans said...

Meryntha,
This is very very touching!

I posted a tutorial on my site to show others how to make a blanket to send! I hope that it adds to your total! : ) Here is the link if you are interested.
http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/2009/09/september-monthy-challenge-project3.html

Carol Kennon said...

Your story brought back so many memories for me. I walked out of Arlington Memorial Hospital empty handed and heavy hearted after such a loss. What a beautiful thing you are doing. Beautiful indeed.

Tasha said...

I love that you are doing this. What a blessing you will be to so many lives. We are starting this up in our area too. We are going to try and reach some of the hospitals in our area. Thank you for starting something that I think will reach many places, areas, and bless many many lives. What an amazing Mother you are.

Post a Comment