09/12/2018
In an hour it will be 10 years since I gave birth to my angel. I have done a lot of reflecting over the last few days. It seems like it was just yesterday, not a full decade. I created Forever Warm as part of my grieving process because it comforted me to know that Tatum was wrapped up nice and warm in a blanket that I made for him and I wanted other parents to have that same sense of comfort. Over the years I suffered other pregnancy losses and then last year I was finally blessed with my rainbow baby, Hunter. I sincerely believe that he was born so close to Tate's birthday to help distract me from the grief that overwhelms me this time every year.
Every year on Tate's birthday I have donated blankets to local hospitals. This year I haven't taken any. It's not for lack of wanting to do it. It's because, thankfully, they have more than enough blankets because they haven't had to use them as quickly as they can be donated. This is a blessing. This means that there are more parents taking their little ones home with them and not leaving the hospital with empty arms.
With the above in mind, I want to change the scope of Forever Warm. My main focus will still be donating to grieving families. However, now I want to also donate to families that are welcoming their little ones. So many of these parents have suffered previous losses and, like me, have stressful pregnancies following those losses. That makes it that much more special when the baby arrives safe and sound. That was never more clear to me than the day that Hunter was born alive and well. There are also parents that have never suffered a loss. That does not make their baby any less special. All babies are a blessing and need to be celebrated.
So, with all of that said, I will be keeping the name and logo of Forever Warm the same because angel parents are my focus. However, with your support I would like to start donating on behalf of ALL babies. When I take blankets to hospitals I will create different tags so that it is clear that there are still special blankets for the angel babies with information for how they can contact me if they want to talk about their loss. The other blankets will just have a tag congratulating the parents on their new addition to the family.
I really hope that I have everyone's support on this. I thought about it for a long time and I believe that today, Tatum's birthday, is the best time to make that decision. I have been overwhelmed by everyone that has donated over the last 10 years. Knowing that the hospitals are well stocked with blankets for the angels warms my heart because it means that so many of you understand how important my mission is. Thank you all so much.
-Summer
**edited to note that when you donate, you can let me know if you want the blanket to be given to an angel family or if the blanket can be given to anyone.
