Second Annual Memory Walk On The Horizon!

A formal press release will be sent out soon, but we thought you might enjoy a 'walk' down memory lane!

Above is the article and video about our first annal walk's success.

We expect this year to be bigger and better, in the sense that more people will come out to support each other and be supported.

Remember - REGISTRATION IS FREE! And if you PRE-REGISTER you get a FREE WATER BOTTLE too!

So SAVE THE DATE and join us on Saturday, May 8th along the Toonerville Trail in Springfield!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A REGISTRATION FORM!

First Annual Walk for Hope and Remembrance a GREAT Success

I have posted about my emotional response to the event at Building Heavenly Bridges.

I have posted about my perfect moment with my girls after the event at The Bear and the Comedian.

But here - I say thank you to all that came - with a promise that as soon as the HOURS of footage and hundreds of still photos taken by amazing volunteers are edited, I will tell the whole story.

Suffice it to say...we had an amazing morning, even if Mrs. Sun played hide and sprinkle a little.

Next meeting this Wednesday. Doensn't matter if you are 2 months, 2 years, or 22 years removed from your loss.

Please join us.

A Little Ditty...Re-written By ME!

RAIN RAIN - RAIN TODAY - RAIN TODAY IF YOU MAY

RAIN RAIN - RAIN TODAY......BUT NOT ON SATURDAY!

Thank you - thank you very much!

The Post Where I Make You Believe!

Not that I really need to, you believed when others didn't...

ALTERNATIVE TITLE: The Post That Affirms What We Already Knew

Yeah - that's better.

If you have followed my heart mission - Share Southern Vermont - from its grandios conception within my head then you might remember the posts where I:

• Built the Bridge
• Got Delayed by the Detour
• Danced Across the Bridge
• Wrote That Kickin' Time-For-Change Proposal (with some Mighty Blogger Help!)
• Came Full Circle - And Got....M.A.D!
• Took A Leap of Faith
• Had a newspaper article written abour our cause
• Opened a SSV bank account!
• Moved SSV to it's new bloggy home
• AND... (Hanging head ashamedly) Got really mad - again

And, if you haven't been following my journey then know that for whatever anger overtook me at times, flanked by frustration and envy - FAITH had them all beat by ten miles.

I have always KNOWN, not hoped or wished for or even thought possbile - but KNOWN that our mission will be fulfilled and our program will grow leaps and bounds throughout the years, touching countless hearts in every stage of their greiving process.

Well....(deep breath now, ok? You good? Sitting down?)

I am going to do this is vision : reality format, for your sake (read: it will keep it shorter) and mine (read: it will keep it shorter).

VISION: A well attended, professionally run support group that leaves people feeling like it is a safe place for them to come and share wherever they are in their grief process.

REALITY: We have had 4 meetings. People have been at everyone. New people are coming every month. We are getting the word out - we are making a difference.

VISION: We would have enough in our bank account to meet our start-up costs, gratefull accepting additional funds to further our cause.

REALITY: Check!

VISION: We would be categorized 501(c)3 Non-Profit to make the most of our outreach.

REALITY: The Eye-R-Ess has cashed our check and is currently reviewing our application. It's been a while...but hey - I guess thet are a little busy right just about now - right?

VISION: We would host grand community-awareness / fundraising events where bereaved parents are celebrated for the role they played in their baby's life. These events would open even more eyes to our mission, hence reach people who didn't know about our services.

REALITY: We are currently finalizing detalils for our First Annual Walk For Hope and Rememberance. An event of which the orginal board member and I had once said, "Heck - if it's just you and me, our husbands and our kids standing out there with a balloon - it will be a success!" Um...it's big - getting bigger everyday - almost overwhelming big - but that's the point, yes?

VISION: I would bring together a team of people who all Share the same vision, annually training another person as a program leader.

REALITY: It's happening. Our board of directors is strong. Two new bereaved mothers have just come into our group clearly saying what they envision their role to be, practially verbatim to what I have put out there into the faith ethers.

And the BIGGEST VISION OF ALL: I would create a friendly working relationship with the childbirth center at the local hospital. SHARE would be there from the time of loss - support the family as they make difficult choices and begin their grief road.

Still sitting down???

I got a phone call this last week that confirms my faith that it WILL happen. It affirms my belief that intended action with big, dedicated love behind it can NEVER fail.

Thank you for being there from day one - and holding my hand.

Thank you for picking up the story here - and becoming part of the vision.

I told you I'd share the 'happily ever after' with you- right? Consider this the 'happily...'

Show and Tell - It Just Feels Right

We, the three board members, sat around the table tossing out ideas for our first event, while munching on oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

"We're pretty new so let's keep it small."

"Yeah- I mean, the first of anything shouldn't have expectation attached to it, right?"

"Totally. Let's keep it simple. The event is only two months away and our goal is to make the public aware who we are and what we do."

Um...if you have followed any of my blogs you know that I don't really do simple, small, or expectationless. I get ideas and they start to roll, they barrell down the mountain gaining speed and size until they collide with my other boulder sized ideas and merge. My husband chimes in with his genius suggestions and our idea spheres overlap like a zen diagram.

We delegate, to a degree, but it's mostly me asking for sponsors, making flyers, running to stores, and - God help me - loving every single second of it.

These days filled with preparation and tunnel vision so deep that I forget to stop and grab a bite to eat - just feel right. And just when stress did knock me down for a brief moment, and I sipped my soup, breathed deeply and tried to make the constant "to-do" list in my head slow down - Emma's song came on the radio. "Yes sweet girl, this is all for you, because of you."

And so - with more pleasure than I can possibly put into words - I am thrilled to Show and Tell -

SHARE SOUTHERN VERMONT'S - FIRST ANNUAL - MEMORY WALK

The t-shirts will be pale purple and have this awesome message on them:

And these totally loveable little memory bears will be on sale at the event. The pig is actually pink, but it keeps uploading as purple. (If you just must have one...let me know!)

But see, here is the thing. This wouldn't be possible without you. YOU - helped us get our start, hence become a chapter of Share National - hence access the rights to the logos - and WHA-LAA, a first -annual memory walk you have!

The poster says:

"Everyone who has been touched by the loss of a baby is welcome: parents, grandparents – family, friends and hospital staff. Refreshments and a brief memorial at the end of the walk.

Walk With Hope – Walk To Remember"

And I will. The day before mother's day I will walk in memory of all your sweet angel babies. I will also walk with you, whether you are near or far, for you had a hand in this - and I thank you.

Now, go see what everyone else is showing and telling.