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May 21. 2004
To hold in your arms the beautiful child that grew inside of you- to finally see what she looks like outside of the womb. Will she look liker her sister or her brothers? What a wonderful experience, this is what "life" is all about, so it may be for most mothers after the birth of a child, but to hold that tiny person with no heart beating inside it is quite a different matter. That is what I experienced 18 months ago, when my fifth child, Jamie Sue, was stillborn. As I have traveled through this unknown territory of grief, sometimes not sure if I would make it another minute, I realized that I would have to do something to make sense out of this. Finding the Missing Grace Organization turned on a light in my soul that was dark for over a year. Hearing of other stories of people who have experienced the same pain and emptiness some how gave me a new hope and desire to reach out. As I approached my daughters 1st birthday, I knew I had to attend the upcoming conference right here in Minnesota to connect with those other grieving people. To see what Candy and Steven have done with their grief, starting this organization, helping others heal has in turn brought healing to their lives. What an inspiration to myself and many others. From the beginning of the conference right through to the end, I found it to be a completely fulfilling experience. Being able to talk one on one to a doctor who has a heart for stillborns, was a healing moment in my grief. I am thankful for the Missing Grace Organization for helping me to come to the other side of my grief journey and to have the courage to reach out to others. Linda Otsego, MN |
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Dear Candy,
I just wanted to write and share with you some thoughts about attending the wonderful GRACE Conference. My husband and I greatly benefited from attending the conference. Not only were we able to share our story of loss and grief and meet others with similar stories and experiences, but we were able to learn from professionals about grieving as well as the things that we can do as parents to help ensure that our future babies receive the monitoring they need to have a better chance for a good outcome. The weekend was educational, renewing and healing for both of us. We are excited to be involved in the next conference and to see others impacted in positive ways through this special annual event. Thank you and many blessings in the journey with The Missing GRACE Organization. Melissa and Jason Longville, MN |
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May 13, 2004
Dear Candy, Just wanted to take a few moments to write to you and express my sincere appreciation for putting together the Missing GRACE Conference. My husband, Steve, and I were a bit apprehensive about attending, as we were nervous about having all of our feelings and emotions regarding the loss of our son, Nikolas, resurface. (We are still feeling very vulnerable as our son passed away less than one year ago.) The conference proved to be a very worthwhile event and we feel so fortunate to have had the privilege to attend. In fact, the conference helped us on a number of different levels. The opportunity to connect with many other parents who experienced a loss similar to ours was a very emotional and rewarding one. We realized fully, for the first time, that we truly were not alone. That others shared our pain and could relate whole heartedly to how we felt. They weren’t sympathizing with us, they were empathizing—a BIG difference. Further, there were so many organizations there, each with a different kind of support, be it loss of a child, infertility, grief counseling….each of these organizations had so much to offer and we were able to speak to quite a few people and gather a lot of literature to take with us and follow up on, after the conference. The most amazing part of the conference for us, though, was the chance in a lifetime opportunity to meet with Dr. Collins, and what a unique setting in which to do so. The small group question and answer session with Dr. Collins answered every one of our burning questions. He was so easy to talk to and so honest, candid and sincere with everything he said. By the time we left the session with Dr. Collins, we, for the first time, felt we finally knew the truth of how our son passed away. But, even more incredible, we felt hope. Hope that our next child, should we be so blessed to conceive again, will have a chance. Hope that we can move forward, and that we don’t have to be so terrified during the nine excruciatingly long months that our next child may pass away as well because it is, “just one of those things that we can’t control.” What Dr. Collins gave us is absolutely priceless as was the Missing Grace Conference. Any parent who has lost a child to stillbirth should consider attending future conferences. It truly lived up to its name in that it did indeed help us to, “Grieve, Restore, Arise, Commemorate, and Educate.” THANK YOU Candy, to you and to all the wonderful volunteers who helped in putting together such an uplifting and rewarding event. Steve and I have a renewed spirit as a result. I wish I could better put into words how much you have helped us. Please know how indebted we are to you. With Warmest Regards, Debbie & Steve Fischer Parents of Nikolas Michael Fischer Born Still on May 26, 2003 |
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Candy,
Thanks for allowing A Place To Remember to have a booth at the 2004 Missing Grace Conference. What a wonderful event! Over the years we have attended many conferences, and I have to say that the Missing Grace Conference was one of the best organized and most impressive I have seen. To wrap so much into one day was notable enough, but the professionalism of the exhibits, the programs, and the wrap-up session really made this a stand-out above the others. I hope that more parents and caregivers will take the opportunity to get to the 2005 conference! Calvin deRuyter A Place To Remember |