Thursday, December 13, 2012

Letting Go

2012 was full of blessings and disappointments. In November we were blessed with baby number four and I headed to the doctor for the initial prenatal checkup. There were some concerns with my Ultrasound and so I was scheduled for a second one right after Thanksgiving as well as some lab work. At the next appointment we discovered that I was experiencing a miscarriage at approximately 7 weeks gestation.

I was devastated and retreated into myself as I tried to cope with having to have another baby in heaven instead of in my arms. We came to find out that the Diocese of Phoenix takes care of even the youngest amongst us who pass away. Queen of Heaven Cemetery has a designated spot for the babies known as the Hill of the Unborn. It is open to any mother who has an early miscarriage so that we may bury our babies and it is free. This was a huge healing moment for all of us and our good friend Deacon Bill Malatin joined us for the burial.

I know as time goes by the hurt will begin to turn into acceptance and peace. We were certain this was going to be our baby girl so she is named Navit Anne Gilliland (pronounced Na-veet). I now have two beautiful babies in heaven and we miss both of them but sometimes in life we have to learn how to let go. God alone knows a mother's heart and I have faith that he will help me and my family heal.

A blanket I crocheted and the small casket
the boys decorated for their sister.


Checking things out




Uncle Adam and Simon



A hug for Daddy

Hill of the Unborn

Taking Navi to her resting place

The older boys sprinkling dirt over their sister


Me, my mom, Liam and Hadrien

The Gilliland Bunch

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Family

The family endures because it offers the truth of mortality and immortality within the same group. The family endures because, better than the commune, kibbutz, or classroom, it seems to individualize and socialize its children, to make us feel at the same time unique and yet joined to all humanity, accepted as is and yet challenged to grow, loved unconditionally and yet propelled by greater expectations. Only in the family can so many extremes be reconciled and synthesized. Only in the family do we have a lifetime in which to do it. -Letty Cottin Pogrebi