Today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. It is a day that had quietly slipped by unnoticed in former years, but this year has been heavy on my heart. To the families who have suffered the unimagineable loss of an infant or a pregnancy, please know that I’ve been praying for you today. These little lives may have been brief, but they were incredibly meaningful, forever changing the hearts of everyone they touched.
“The amount of time on earth matters very little: a man can live in greed and pride 90 years and never find God, know Him or accomplish His Plan. A stillborn baby on the other hand, teaches people to love, brings people to the Lord, teaches us the tenuous nature of life and teaches us a faith that those who have not suffered loss can never know. A child not even breathing for an hour, can have an impact greater than a famous preacher. The purpose of a life is not ours to decide nor in our hands: it is brought about by God.” -Author Unknown
At the request of dear woman Michelle who lost her infant daughter to trisomy 18 (6 days after Nora was born) I lit a candle, took a picture and posted it to her Facebook page in memory of her daughter Isabella. It made me think of all of the little angels I’ve come to know, many of them through Nora. I decided to light candles for them too. One of them is my sweet nephew Max, another my Aunt Marilyn who died in infancy, and my cousin’s angel, Conner. Others are the angels of friends, people I’ve met through the common trisomy 18 diagnosis, or people I’ve met through this blog. I pray that God will be with each of you and your families throughout the rest of your journeys on this earth. May He fill the void left in your hearts with peace and may the hope be alive within you that you WILL be reunited with your little ones.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139:14-16 NIV)
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From October 14th page of Jesus Calling by Sarah Young:
Be prepared to suffer for me, in My Name. All suffering has meaning in My kingdom. Pain and problems are opportunities to demonstrate your trust in Me. Bearing our circumstances bravely–even thanking Me for them–is one of the highest forms of praise. This sacrifice of thanksgiving rings golden-toned bells of Joy thoughout heavenly realms. On earth also, your patient suffering sends out ripples of good tidings in ever-widening circles.
When suffering strikes, remember that I am sovereign and that I can bring good out of everything. Do not try to run from pain or hide from problems. Instead, accept adversity in My Name, offering it up to Me for My purposes. Thus, your suffering gains meaning and draws you closer to Me. Joy emerges from the ashes of adversity through your trust and thankfulness.
iwillcarryyou 
WOW! Aleisa you are such an inspiration and wonderful person. I love that you took the time to write the names on the candles and light them in a beautiful way. You amaze me and give me hope with my life right now in turmoil. Thank you and just keep me and my family in your prayers!
such a sad and painful subject that is rarely talked about yet touches so many.
‘for those whose lives knew no breath’ is inscribed on a stone in a church close to my home; each time I pass by I think of my babies (6 miscarried; the 6th being Daniel who at 13 weeks gestation had trisomy 21 Downs syndrome).
I’ve followed you blog from the beginning and you are such a strong and inspirational woman, thank you for sharing with us
Aleisa –
You continue to amaze me with your strength, inspiration and faith in God. My Goddaughter’s baby (who’s name is also Nora Rose) passed away while still in the warm, loving comfort of her womb on May 3rd. Our precious angel holds a place in every one of our hearts – and tho we never “met” her, we carry her with us every day. Your blog gives so many such inspiration, knowledge and the will to go on when it seems so difficult to do so.
Our Nora Rose’s gma works for your dad – so you may have met our family. Thank you for sharing your story and keeping us informed of Nora’s progress. I think about her and you daily and pray that God keeps all of you in his loving arms.
Sorry for your loss to all who have lost children! For those who have had recurrent miscarriage please if you havent check to see if you have endometriosis
Dr Hilgers talks about endometriosis on Show15 Women Healed – Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion (miscarriage) the incidence of endometriosis with 2 or more miscarriages is 85%, if a woman has endometriosis she has a 50% of having a miscarriage. After treatment for endometriosis using Naprotechnology 80% of the women carry baby to term http://www.spiritcatholicradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=93:dr-hilgers&catid=6:audio-downloads
Pope Paul VI Institute: The NaProTechnology Revolution (decribes how it helps women with female problems starting around 3:00) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwvQzfM6WJw&playnext=1&list=PL5DE44CD0C94A0550&feature=results_video
Hi, My daughter is a freshman in high school and would like your permission to have an artcle and pictures of Nora published in her school magazine. Would that be okay with you? My email is husong1071@aol.com. God bless you guys!!
Aleisa – I love the quote you posted above that time on earth doesn’t determine a person’s impact. Is it ok if I borrow it and repost it? It makes me very happy to see Nora’s pictures, she is growing beautifully and is such a precious little girl. I admire your strength. You and your family are in my prayers.
Aleisa – My friend Julie came across your blog while following your photographers website when your sweet Nora was born. She then passed your blog on over to me. My husband and I lost our sweet Lorelai Anne to Trisomy 18 in July of 2008. We were able to keep her for three short days. I love seeing your pictures and reading your stories about your family and sweet Nora. She is a beautiful little girl and you both are such an inspiration to so many. God bless you all!
-Kathie Sosby
Aleisa, What an incredible tribute to the little people who don’t get a life time and the families who are never the same after they are gone. Thank you for including our Anthony (there are no words for my gratitude) and for introducing me to all of these other beautiful souls I need to pray for. Now my only problem is that I can’t stop crying and I’m AT WORK :)!!
Bless Nora & the legacy she is creating. I love your candles. I have 3 babes who never drew breath but they remain in my heart.
Aleisa, thank you so much for remembering Alexandria. It means so much to us. We love watching your Nora grow and beat the odds. Nora, keeping teaching. You have so much purpose.
Aleisa, Thank you for remember Alexandria. We are so thankful that Nora is doing so well and pray that she continues to do so.