This summer it will be 2 years since my mom passed away. While I am truly grateful she is no longer suffering, I do miss her. I miss being able to call her and ask her advice about childrearing–she had 12 of her own children. My kids, who adored their “Grama Shell” miss visiting her in the summertime. And, sadly, I know that there will come a time when my children can no longer remember their Grama Shell, except through photographs.
Her children weren’t the only lives she deeply touched during her life. My mother was a passionately devoted NICU nurse. Indeed, on those days when her pain was so bad, I think it was her devotion to her helpless and struggling NICU babies that kept her going.
There is a 17 year age span between my older brother and my youngest brother. Having such a large age span among children in a family can make it difficult to be close, especially in an age when families often spread across the country. In some ways my brothers, sisters, and I are even closer now than before my mom passed away. We have found strength in coming together.
Here is a fun little collage one of my sister’s made of our family. The left picture was taken in 1998 just before I left for college. The bottom right was taken at my sister’s wedding in June 2012, just over a week before my mom passed away. The top right was taken after my mom’s graveside service.
Next weekend my siblings and I will be holding our first ever family reunion in Zion National Park! During the reunion we will be doing a Hike-a-Thon in my mom’s memory. All donations will go directly to Embrace Global, an organization who’s mission is to save the lives of premature and low birth weight infants in developing countries.
Take a look at the video to learn more about Embrace and see just how important their mission is:
Each year, more than 1 million babies die on their birth day. 98% of these deaths occur in the developing world.
What’s the leading cause of these deaths? Preventable and treatable complications related to prematurity and low birth weight, including hypothermia.The award-winning Embrace Warmer is designed for hypothermic infants in developing countries. It costs a fraction of the price of a standard incubator, doesn’t require constant electricity, and is portable, hygienic, and reusable.
I felt that an Embrace fundraiser would be a very fitting way to honor my mom’s memory, and carry her passion of caring for premature babies to parts of the world who are in dire need of good care.
I know that there are a lot of wonderful causes vying for your generosity, but even just $10 can help provide a lifesaving warmer or healthcare education that can save the lives of hundreds of babies.
I have just a couple weeks left to hit my goal of $500. Will you help me?
You can donate to our Embrace fundraiser through the secure widget below.
About Amy @ Oh So Savvy Mom
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