Just a few months before my wedding, one of my closest friends miscarried her first child. They had been trying to get pregnant for nearly a year, and everyone had been so excited by the news. When she called to tell me the baby had died, I had no idea what to say.

I was so sad for her and felt helpless to do or say anything of use. For a while it was frightening. One day her husband came to me nearly in tears with worry for her. He said she felt like a failure and was sure they would never have a baby. Neither of us knew what to do.

When she got pregnant again fairly quickly and had a healthy baby boy, she seemed to want to put the loss behind her. As so many family members and friends do, we put it behind us too, relieved to see her back to her old self.

It was during this second pregnancy of hers that I found out that I was pregnant also. Although we had only been married a few months and were very surprised by our news, we were thrilled. I remembered my friend's experience though, and cautioned my husband not to be too excited.

When I miscarried quickly I was upset, but felt that this was a very normal pattern and that our next baby would be fine. I followed everyone's advice and put it behind me and focused on being in the best possible shape for the next pregnancy.

I was shocked, however, when I became pregnant several months later only to miscarry again. I had never dreamed it would happen again.

When my friend was on the phone saying, "I'm so sorry. I know how you feel." Somehow it was comforting to know that she really did know what it felt like.

In my roller coaster of emotions that followed, I experienced tremendous guilt for not realizing what she had gone through.

Finally I conceived again and this time things were going fine. Another of my very best friends called to tell me she was expecting. It was a bittersweet time for their family, because a cousin had become pregnant around the same time and had already miscarried. My friend was anxious about how her pregnancy would affect their relationship.

Fast forward seven months...my healthy son was the focus of my life, my friend's baby was due any day, and we had made big plans to see each other the following summer. They knew they were having a boy, too, so I knew the babies would be good buddies.

I was thrilled when she called to say that the baby had been born and he was fine, but our joy was short lived. The next day her mother-in-law called to tell me the baby was not expected to live. He died early the next morning.

My friend's grief, of course, was devastating. At times I ached so much for her that it felt as if I were losing my own babies all over again. After all that I had experienced, I still didn't know what to say, but I tried my best.

I tried to remember the important days...I was careful not to be too exuberant about my own precious son...and I listened. I didn't judge her anger or tell her to move on. I vowed never to utter the words, "it was for the best."

The day came, as I thought it must, when she felt the guilt I had felt. She apologized for not being more supportive when I lost my babies. She wondered how I knew to call and listen and remember when no one else around her seemed to understand.

I told her about feeling the same way about that first friend. I told her not to worry...I wouldn't hold it against her any more than that friend did me.

I knew then that this was one of the most precious gifts my babies would ever give to me...the ability to be there for my friend when she needed me the way someone had been there for me.

I know, unfortunately, that the day will come when someone will need her the way she needed me, and I know she'll be there and find the right words and understand. That person will wonder at her kindness and strength. All she'll have to do is say, "I know how you feel." And the gifts will be passed on.

Sharen shared her child's dedication with us this September. When I wrote her to tell her how moved I was by her dedication, she returned the rest of her beautiful story of her life.

Dear Kimberly,

When you were born you were pretended away by everyone associated with your birth. They thought it best to pretend you never happened.

You happened! You shared nine months with me in the most intimate way. I longed to hold you but before I could, you were wisked away. Even though my hair has turned gray and my steps falter,I will always be the young Mother yearning to hold you in my arms. For now,I will just forever hold you in my heart... until tomorrow...

Dear Marcia,

It is nice to hear from you. I am sorry about your losses! It is true, we never forget. Christmas always meant singing "Silent Night" and wondering how many years it would take to get through it....Funny, I still cry all these many years later!

Please feel free to use my letter anyway you see fit. It is an on going tribute to my daughter. I never had any living children. I was born to Mother so it was tough.

I turned my energies to helping children who needed "mothering." I had 9 foster children and worked in a street ministry where over 500 kids called me their spiritual "Mom." The loss of my babies shaped my life in a way I never thought possible!

In our grief we can't see tomorrow. Today I can look "back" and see the result of the pain.

Redeeming grace...God bless you and the great work you are doing. I have read so many letters from young Mothers on Prodigy and AOL with broken hearts. I was searching for helpful links for "them" when I found your site. Thanks for being there.

Dear Share Website,

What a wonderful site you have here. As an RN and a fellow parent who has experienced the death of a child I truly appreciate what you are accomplishing with this site.

Although it will be 3 years on Sept. 27 since the loss of my son at times it feels as if it were yesterday. As I read through other entries on this page I felt an overwhelming sense of SHARED grief and common support.

Coming into this month I knew it not would be like any other month of the calendar. It would be unique and I have to acknowledge what this "uniqueness" means to me. So as Paul Angelo's date of the 27th draws nearer I'm sure I will be revisiting this website with more of my story to tell, more of my memories to share. Thank you for this opportunity.

As a result of having experienced this loss in my life I have been called upon by my pastor to help other women who have had a child die.

I am very glad that I found your website and will look for a local SHARE support group. In reaching out to others I have been able to heal a little more each time and validate my baby's brief life within me. I have come to realize that his existence had meaning to both me, my family and God.

Thanks, again and may God bless all of you and all of your beloved children.

As the holidays approach I find it difficult to deal with the fact that our son, Joseph Kyle, will not be here AGAIN. He was stillborn on January 23, 1996 due to a cord accident.

The difficulty with the holidays is compounded by the dreaded anniversary I know is just around the corner in January. It will be two years.

Kyle's lasting gift to me is compassion. He taught me that, through my pain, I can reach out to others who have been through a similar loss. I certainly cannot make their hurts go away but I can be there with a hug, a tear, and sincerely sympathy. Each time I speak to another grieving parent....Kyle is there.

Since losing Kyle we have had another child, a beautiful and healthy daughter named Lauren. She is precious in her own rite but can never replace her big brother...nor would we want her to.

My intense love for Lauren is also a gift from Kyle. Having lost a child, I know how precious life is. She knows every minute of each day the love her father and I feel for her.

I think the love felt by a parent who has lost a child is at such a different level than by one who has never lost. It's easy to take for granted what has always been there. Until you have lost...you don't, or can't, understand.

Best Wishes and Continued Healing to all. How wonderful to have a forum such as this for parents to SHARE.

My precious baby girl was diagnosed with Anencephaly at 18 weeks. Not a single day passes without me wishing she was with us. I miss her deeply and can feel her presence with me always.

I have five beautiful children and Emily was my fourth. I don't care what others think; I love them all very much.

At first I wondered what was allowed - was I allowed to include her as part of my family when I spoke of them. I was encouraged by family and friends and aquaintances to forget her and get on with my life.

After quite some months I decided I will do what I want, there are no rules, and its about time peoples attitudes changed. Our babies are very special.

I have done what I can to help Drs, nurses and anyone I come in contact with to try and look at it from the parent's perspective.

We have unconditional love from the before our babies have even been conceived. I love you my precious Em and never will a day pass without thinking of you. All my love Mummy xxx

Migelito I still can't let go of you even though it has been three years old. When I am asked how many children I have I always include you. I am told not to include you because you are no longer here with us. I think that if I were to leave you out. It's like I was forgetting you and I will never forget you my little Angel.

Thank you for changing my life you've made a big difference. I have learned to appreciate your brothers more than ever before. I don't take anyone for granted anymore.

I wake up thanking the Lord for my life, my children, husband, familly and friends and escpecially for you. I would like to thank you for sending us a baby. I LOVE YOU MIGELITO.

We learned so much about ourselves and others through the experience of losing you. Your short life was not in vain.

It is coming upon a year May 15 that I lost my daughter and only child Dominique at 22 1/2 weeks.

I can honestly say I have come a long way and am a better person because of this loss.

I didn't think in this life time I would ever understand the reason for my loss, but believe now that it was to make me a stronger/better person. I have dealt with depression off and on in my life and never really felt good about myself. I now have a more positive out look of myself and of life.

I have a hard time believing it myself sometimes, but TIME DOES HEAL.

I have met some wonderful people through this site who have helped me, and I have also been able to help. To me it makes a big difference when I am able to help others who have lost babies.

I miss my baby girl everyday and still shed plenty of tears, but the pain is less each day. Thanks to all of you who have provided support thru this most difficult year.

I am now the Community Leader for Pregnancy Loss on Parents Place and I deal with life a lot better then I did before. I had a real hard time with this in the beginning, I am just now able to get on with my life.

I lost a lot in those three years since I was not able to understand what I was going though. I lost a friend and almost lost my Dear hubby since I was so angry at the world and God for taking my baby away. It has been a long road, but things are working out now.

I just lost another one back in May, but knowing what I know now, I am dealing with it a lot better and getting on with my life.

Please remember that the loss of a child is the worst loss in anyone's life, but God and your baby do want you to go on.

Death is the hardest thing in life to accept and overcome. As parents, we want to protect our children. When that blessing is taken away, it leaves an empty feeling in our hearts. With time the emptiness fades but the loss will never heal.

In December of 1997, I lost my baby boy at 22 weeks due to an incompetent cervix. I still remember the shock I felt when the doctor told me that my baby had dropped and my cervix was open. I was not prepared to hear the doctor tell me my baby wouldn't survive at 22 weeks.

I had two options: to stay at bed rest but the bag of water would slowly deteriorate or have surgery - rescue cerclage. The cerclage is a draw string like stitch in the cervix that keeps the cervix firmly closed. This decision was a very difficult one to make and with my families support I was able to feel good about my decision.

I knew that I might make it another week if I stayed at bed rest but if I had the surgery I would have a greater chance to carry full term. I agreed to do the surgery but during the last stitch, my water broke.

At that moment, I knew I would loose my baby and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it from happening. Those hours that followed were the hardest moments I've ever had to go through.

Sometimes, I try to remind myself of a well-known saying....

Three months later, I conceived my second child. I wasn't ready emotionally to go through the pregnancy but I was determinded to do everything possible to save my child.

I had the cerclage done at 14 weeks and I carried my baby to 36 weeks. I had a little girl, Kari Michele. She is wonderful!

I'm currently a volunteer at a support group for high risk mothers. The web site is called: www.sidelines.org

I can't believe that it has been almost 2 years since we lost our beautiful daughter Kylie (2/8/00) at 17.5 weeks pregnant. I won't go into the whole story as I sent it April of 2000, but wanted to update on where we are now. In the summer of 2000 I sent an update telling about our subsequent pregnancy (coincidentally due one year to the day from when we lost Kylie).

In August of 2000 we found out that we were again expecting a little girl. We were thrilled. We didn't feel like our new baby would replace Kylie in any way, but we had gotten used to the idea of having a baby girl and it just felt right.

Needless to say the pregnancy was both joyful and frightening, especially when we hit the second trimester. Luckily, I had an extremely patient doctor who took many extra steps to make me feel at ease.

In December, at 31 weeks along, I tripped and took a small fall (landing on my hands but not touching my tummy). The doctor decided to do a non-stress test just to be safe. The results were called "non-reassuring" since there were none of the normal heartrate accelerations with movement. They did a full biophysical profile and everything else looked ok. I was kept in the hospital for the weekend, but the NST never changed.

After I was sent home, the doctor cut my hours at work and had me come in for NSTs and BPPs twice each week. The NSTs never improved, but the doctor was not overly concerned because the BPPs looked so good. Still, I was very anxious to have the pregnancy over and have a healthy baby in my arms.

I was coping pretty well until I got to 38 weeks and I had an overwhelming feeling that something was going to happen to our baby. I begged the doctor to induce me. He didn't want to until at least 39 weeks. He said if I had any concerns I could come in any time to be monitored. I sobbed to my husband that I was afraid that she was going to die from a cord accident and it would be too late. I am not at all the hysterical type so I am sure now that it was intuition.

I went in to be induced on Feb. 1, 2001. Labor progressed well, except the nurses were pretty nervous about the nonreactive heartrate and the baby was also having a few late decelerations. I was watched over very closely all day and at 8:03 that evening we delivered a beautiful, perfect baby girl with apgars of 8 & 9.

In the midst of our joy the doctor said, "well this accounts for the non-reassuring NSTs there is a true knot in the umbilical cord". Luckily, the knot was considered to be loose enough that she was not deprived of oxygen. Still, it must have had some effect of the NSTs would have been normal.

Unfortunately, this is not the end of our happy story. We named our daughter Haven Danielle. I can't tell you how much we appreciate having her in our lives, especially having known loss. My husband actually grieved harder for Kylie as he saw all of the things that Haven was doing that we would never get to share with Kylie.

Haven was a very happy, delightful baby, but we did notice beginning around 3 weeks old that she was more easily agitated than our 2 older children. She met all of her milestones and became such an important part of our family that we can hardly remember a time before she was here.

In August, at 6 months old, she became extremely fussy one week. After a few days she began to have some subtle seizures. To make a very long story short, she was diagnosed with Infantile Spasm Syndrome which is a very severe infantile epilepsy. We were given a prognosis of 85-90% chance that she would be moderately to severely mentally retarded. We were devastated and began the long process of diagnostic tests to look for a cause. Incredibly, it is actually better if no cause is found and so far none has been found.

We have been going through a whirlwind of anti-epileptic medications, EEGs, and fighting the battle of our and her lives. So far, Haven has defied every prediction and is developing completely normally and the doctors say she may fall into the 1% that end up completely normal. Still, we have not been able to gain seizure control for more than 10 weeks at a time and there are many hurdles ahead for Haven.

If you have read this far you may be thinking that this does not sound very uplifting so I will get to the point of my story. I feel that Kylie has given us so many gifts that are helping us through this difficult time. I imagine her as an angel in heaven looking down and protecting her baby sister, Haven.

I never knew true grief nor the power of God to heal and protect us before we lost Kylie. I feel like since we made it through her loss, I know that we can make it through anything.

Kylie's loss also made me realize the strength of my marriage and of our family's love. Most of all, I have learned that I can't handle everything on my own and I have learned to let go a little bit and put it in God's hands. I feel very strong and hopeful and very, very very grateful to have Haven alive and doing so well.

I don't know if the knot in the cord caused her current problems, but I suspect that it did and I would much rather be dealing with her epilepsy than to have lost her.

I have learned to live my life day by day and to appreciate every moment. This has been so crucial because I appreciate every good moment we have with Haven and don't obsess (too much) about what the future holds.

Hugs to all who have lost so much. I wish for you the discovery that you are stronger than you ever imagined yourself to be! Susie

My wife and I had lost our baby almost five years ago. And although we have moved passed our initial grief, we still remember. We both deal with our grief in very different ways. My wife started a support group on line called "PGLOSSMAIL". She was very open about what she was going through, and took comfort in talking to others who were going through the same. She had also made some very dear friends, who she still stays in contact with.

I on the other hand was not so open. I would give my wife comfort and love for what she was going through, but felt I needed to be the strong one, and be there for her. My way of dealing with our loss was to write a song. Writing is therapy for me, it helps me work things out, and gives me the ability to release my emotions through music and lyrics. It took me a year to write this song, called "More Than Just A Name". I wrote it for my wife and as a tribute to our son.

I wrote what I thought was the perfect song for my wife, and I was done. And I felt much better. And I put the song away. The same reason my wife had stopped with her web site. It was time for us to move on with our lives, still try to have a baby, and to never forget about our sweet Tristan.

And now, years later my wife and her friend had started up this wonderful web site again. And you can visit it at www.pglossmail.com. And I recorded "More Than Just A Name", and also put it out on the web, to share with others who have lost a baby. Hoping that they realize that healing doesn't mean you have to forget about your baby. I think healing comes with love and support and time. And to remember, all of our babies are more than just a name.

Peace & Love

In 1992 I was 27 years old and my spiritual life was realy bad. I was a single mother of a 3 years old girl. I was in love with her father, someone who couldn't love no one else than himself. I was a drug addict and I tried to end with my life. It didn't work and I stayed on earth. Soon I get pregnent again from the father of my daughter, my great love, but he went away.

When it was time for the baby to be born, this man who makes me so bad, came to receive his son (as he said). One night his attitude was so agressive to me, putting himself as a victim, throwing a bitter arrow directly into my heart... that after that I felt strange movements in me. Two days after that my baby was born, but with brain death. He must be connected to an artificial respirator.

I cried day and night praying to God, not to make me, be forced to make the decision of keeping him connected or not.

Five days after his birth, in the morning, my baby began to breath alone, without help of any machine. The doctors couldn't explain why, but therefor they decided to disconnect him.

The night after that, my little angel started to go away. I was all the time with him. I could hold him in my arms. I could sing my favorite cradle song for him. He stopped breathing, but his heart pumped and pumped until he could liberate himself and fly to heaven...

His name was and is Alex. I think he came to earth to take me away from alcohol, drugs, depression, etc. and showed me the beautiful daughter I have and how beautiful life can be.

It seems to be that he decided to go, when he noticed the kind of father he would have. He said to me in a dream while I was praying to god "we are too valious to suffer for that man... we will be together again some time... but now you have to be with my sister Micaela before she also wants to go away..."

So he was my angel on earth and now he is my angel at heaven...

Thank you for my big brother Zane. I know that he is my guardian angel. When I was sick, and the doctors said that it would take a miracle, you sent someone to help and comfort me and my mommy and daddy. I know that it was Zane.

I know that Mommy and Daddy miss him. It would have been nice to have a big brother here with me to play with and love. I know that you had a reason for choosing him to be with you. Maybe it was to cause my Mommy and Daddy to cherish me even more. Maybe it was because you knew my future and knew that I would need a guardian angel. Although it is hard to accept, we will understand why when we see you in heaven.

Give him extra love for me. Tell him that I will see him one day, and we can do all the things that brothers do.

Zane - a special angel ~ The McCoy's Story as told by Keiton and Zane's mom, Anita

I found out the exciting news that I was carrying you on August 30, 2000. I only suspected that I was about six weeks pregnant. I became very sick and after an examination and an ultrasound, I found out that I was eighteen weeks, and that you were a boy.

Through all of the complications, you were a trooper. Three hours before you were born, we saw you moving and I felt you kicking. We heard and saw your heartbeat and were told that you would be fine. Then, later that night, our hearts were broken when your body could no longer fight, and you were born asleep at twenty weeks.

One year to the day of your journey to be with Jesus, I was once again sitting in the doctors office. For you see, I was carrying your baby brother. I heard the news of the 9/11 attacks on the Twin Towers. A day we will not forget. What an awful way to remember what had happened just a year earlier.

While I was carrying your brother, I also had many troubles, and there were times that the doctors thought he would not make it. I felt guilty the entire pregnancy. I was saddened about you, and wondered what it would have been like to carry you longer. I was scared that the same fate would come to your brother. But your brother is strong, and he was born alive and well on November 28, 2001-just four days after Mommy and Daddy's anniversary.

We are so happy with your brother. He is a precious miracle from God. His name is Keiton Gunner. He is so beautiful and loving. Even amidst all of the joy we have over your brother, not a day goes by that I don't think of you. I wish that you were here.

I miss the opportunities to hold you, feed you, rock you, and just smell and kiss you. I loved you from the start, and I miss you more every day. I am anxious for the day that we will get to be united again. Although you were tiny, you were perfect-every toe, even a headful of black hair. I keep your image in my heart.

I believe that you are Keiton's guardian angel. We nearly lost him when he was 3 months old due to an infection. The doctors said that we needed to pray for a miracle, and God sent someone down to us and Keiton, and I believe that angel was you. God had a purpose for you, to watch over him.

We will always hold you in our hearts, and can't wait to be with you in heaven. Love, Mommy, Daddy, and Keiton Gunner

In the beginning people said time would heal our souls. In a way they were right, though I never would have believed them.

At first each new day brought another day for my broken soul to wander, my heart aching all day. I really can’t remember a sunny day, literally. Although I know there were many. Mackenzie was my only bright shining light at that time. I had to cling to her to make my life happy.

But as time went on the grayness lifted day by day. My soul began to see happiness and love. As I look back now, there is still pain, there always will be. But for the most part there are wonderful moments. My first and only smile from Colton. Cuddling him next to my body… Watching him suckle in his sleep… Seeing him sleeping with his little bottom sticking up in the air. And I loved looking into his bright blue eyes. I could go on, for all these wonderful memories, I am always thankful.

Through Colton I have truly learned closeness to God. I have felt Colton’s love and still do. I have found that I should be patient with others and I should forgive. I have learned a lot from my baby boy. God and Colton taught me so much in the 9 months and 10 days we had him.

Is there a reason for his life? Yes! I now know to love unconditionally, be thankful for what I have, cherish Mackenzie, Shelby and Mike, and I have found out that I am a survivor. I am not weak, but strong, much stronger than I ever imagined.

So God, thank you for sending us Colton, your message of love to us disguised in a way that I thought, in the beginning was heartache, but in time found out was a wonderful treasure of brilliance and everlasting love: lending us Colton to share and love with You!