Mother's Day

Forty years ago today I became a mother.

This is Ronny...born May 10, 1975.

Ronny passed away, from SIDS, on September 15, 1975.

The next two photos were taken on September 10th. I took him to Federals Department Store to have his four month photos taken.  I wasn't planning on being in any of the photos...but the photographer was very persistent.  Five days later Ronny was gone.  About two weeks after that my mother, my sister, and I went to pick up the photo package.  I am forever grateful for that persistent photographer!

I'm also forever grateful for my mom....several years ago she put together photo albums for my brothers, my sister, and me.  These three photos of Ronny are on one of the pages in the album. I'm pretty sure it was difficult for her to put this page together, but probably not as difficult as it was to pick up the photo package with me all those years ago.  Forever grateful Mom.....for lots of things!

Here's my mom. With my fifth child...my "baby".

I moved away from Michigan (where my mom lives) before Mandy was born.  

But, even though they're miles apart, they're close. They pick up right where they left off.  

(often over a mess of stuffed cabbage or a game of Scrabble!)

My mom has never let distance interfere with knowing her grandchildren (she has fourteen!), and I know she desires the same with her great-grandchildren (she has fourteen of those as well!)

It's a little harder now...since family is in four different states, but we'll make it work!!

I love you Mom! 

Thank you for being everything I've needed a mom to be.

Thank you for loving me.  

Thank you for loving my children and their children.

I hope you have a wonderful day!

You are in my thoughts and my prayers always.

My grandchildren have mommys to be grateful for too!

Happy Mother's Day to Katie, Johanna, and Jacqi!!

Look what else I have to be grateful for...
A group photo of all fifteen of us!!
I'll have to share more photos from this photo shoot. 
Not only was Jacqi in the photos...she was the photographer too!
We captured it all!!

Memories

Hard to believe that he would have

been 38 years old today!

 

 

My First Born

Ronny

My First Born

Ronald Vincent Raymond

Born May 10, 1975

Died September 15, 1975

Happy Birthday to Ronny.....he would have been 36 years old today.

He died when he was 4 months and five days old.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

SIDS is the sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than one year old.  Most SIDS deaths happen when babies are between 2 months and 4 months of age.  It is the leading cause of death in children between one month and one year of age. 

However, the number of deaths due to SIDS has decreased dramatically since 1975.

The Back to Sleep campaign was started in the early 1990's to emphasize the message that infants should be placed on their back to sleep. Since parents and caregivers began following this recommendation, the number of SIDS deaths has decreased by over 50 percent.

Four or five years after Ronny died Bill bought a gold charm for me.  It was part of a special fundraiser for (what was then) a local chapter of the National Foundation of Sudden Infant Death.  

The charm is called the "SIDS Tree".

The SIDS Tree is now used as the logo for a non-profit in Illinois.

"The tree depicted with a single leaf fallen to the ground has symbolized Sudden Infant Death Services of Illinois since its inception. The fallen leaf is a symbol of the infant who has died. That leaf, which would have eventually developed into an entire branch of our family tree has died and fallen away.

The promise of that life will never be realized, yet, this tree is also a hopeful symbol of life. Despite the loss of this leaf, the tree continues to grow and flourish. Over time, new leaves are added, some others may have fallen off. The cycle of life continues and there is hope...."

This charm is so precious to me. As it turned out, after Ronny died (the leaf that fell) I had four more children (the leaves still on the tree). How perfect. It's such a sweet remembrance.

Random Monday Memories

Today's random memory isn't quite so random. It's specific to this day.....thirty-three years ago. My first child Ronnie was born on May 10, 1975. He died four months and five days later ~ on September 15 ~ he's my special memory for today.

Even after all these years, memories of him tug at my heart and, oftentimes, bring a tear or two to my eyes. But in recent years those tears have had more to do with hearing about others who've lost a child and having my heart break just a little for them each time I hear ~ and I seem to hear of it so much lately.

To them I'd like to say, the painful memories never get any easier. But the time lengthens in between and the painful ones sink a little more into your heart as time goes on. But the happy memories (no matter how few) like the ones that come from a much loved picture ~ those get brighter and brighter and better and better.

This picture was taken on September 10th ~ his four month birthday. He was just beginning to smile a lot. I'm smiling now just looking at it, and remembering........

Ronald Vincent Raymond

He was too good for this earth ~ so Jesus took him home.

In the most beautiful of gardens, even those tended by the most skillful of botanists, there is an occasional rose that buds, but never opens. In all respects the rose is like all the others, but something keeps it from blooming. It fades away - or disappears - without having reached maturity.

What happens in nature's garden happens once in a while also in the garden of God's human family. A baby is born, beautiful, precious, but fails to come to its rightful unfolding. This child, like the bud that never fully opens, is gathered back into God's heavenly garden of souls - where all imperfections are made perfect; all injustices made right; all mysteries are explained; and all sorrows turned to happiness. Richard Fairchild