10/08/2026
One of our Preemie Parent Loss Mentors shared this beautiful reflection about her son, Ezra, and the many ways his family continues to remember and love him.
Her words are a reminder that while we talk so much about the goodbyes that come with loss, there are also hellos.
A hello means acknowledgement.
Acknowledgement means you remember.
And remembering these babies is what this month is all about. đź’™
"“Say goodbye to Ezra,” I said as we left the cemetery today. Both kids said goodbye and waved, after exploring the Garden of Angels and finding Ezra’s name where we placed his pumpkins that we had just selected for him at the pumpkin patch. They get excited to bring little treasures to him, but I hate that this is their norm. I hate that when we go to the cemetery I have to explain that he’s with other babies, and that to them he’s always a baby, when in fact he’s the oldest of my three children (beating Rowan by 18 minutes).
It felt today like Ezra’s existence is full of goodbyes. Goodbye the moment he was born, while the NICU team worked their magic to give him the life he fought so hard for. Goodbye when he died, 20 hours after his life began. Goodbye to his body, when we buried him at his funeral. Goodbye each time we have to leave, after visiting his grave to go back to the home where he should be with us, mind and body, not just soul.
As we observe Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness this October, I hope we can remember not just the “goodbyes” we had to have, but the “hellos” we have the opportunity to say to parents while saying names of all the little souls that we don’t get to fully know. Because a “hello” means acknowledgement, and acknowledgement means you remember- and remembering our babies is what this month is all about."
If you know a family who has experienced pregnancy or infant loss, don't be afraid to say their baby's name. Acknowledge them. Remember them. Sometimes a simple “hello” can mean more than you realize.
