About five years ago I had the idea to make a video in honor of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day which is observed annually on October 15th.
Each year the date would near and I would day-dream about the the photo montage I had imagined, the songs I might use and what it would be like.
Then October 15th would come and go, but still no video.
Most years I mark October 15th by lighting a candle in honor and memory of our daughter/sister Molly and Babies Benson at 7:00 p.m. I also have acknowledged the date here on my blog and/or Facebook with posts, photos and status updates.
A few weeks ago I decided that this would be the year, that I was going to do it and what follows is a labor of love that was extremely therapeutic for me.
Knowing that ten years after we began trying to expand our family that our journey through secondary infertility and loss has been resolved made creating and now sharing this video even more momentous and meaningful.
To all those who have walked with, prayed for, supported, encouraged and believed in Bob, Sean, Babies Benson, Molly, Abby and me, words will never be enough to express how grateful we are.
But still I say thank you.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Thank you for being you and for being there for us.
I hope that this video will show you how blessed we feel to have each of our children in our family, including those who are here living with us and our babies who are always in our hearts.
We have learned and continue to learn so much from all of our children and intend to do our best to make them proud going forward.
For those reading and watching who have also lost babies, today and everyday, I send healing thoughts and prayers your way as you honor the lives and memories of your children goon to soon. I wish you peace, love and comfort on this bittersweet day.
Always in Our Hearts: For Molly and Babies Benson from Kathy Benson on Vimeo.
A photo montage set to music paying tribute to the lives and memories of our children who left this world too soon. Sending peace, love and prayers to all those missing their babies on National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day (October 15th) and everyday.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Kathy – I’m speechless and so very, very moved. Bereaved and blessed indeed – you give such grace and raw beauty to your grief… I am deeply, deeply honored to know you and thank you SO much for sharing this amazing video of your journey with us. This is incredible, so well done – I’m so proud to know you. Thank you for this beautiful film.
Keiko recently posted..An announcement, a proposal, a prayer and a promise.
Absolutely gorgeous. Though heartbreaking; the way your smile changes at the third pregnancy, seeing Sean age with various big brother t-shirts. And those images of the balloons in the sky when you pan out and the viewer sees how many balloons are there, each representing a person who was here on this earth, albeit for a short time.
Such a solemn day that affects so many of us. Raising consciousness and abiding with you.
It Is What It Is recently posted..October 15
You know my love for Molly is deep. She’s given me so many gifts. Too many to count. Love to you all today.
Oh…and I never see a butterfuly without thinking of her! XOXO
Carolyn Savage recently posted..A Barnyard of Costumes – The Ducks
Kathy — this is amazing. So very, very well done. Bravo!!! : )
loribeth recently posted..Hold on
Love to you and your family, Kathy. What a beautiful tribute.
Shelli recently posted..Undecided
Oh, Kath. This was just amazing. What a beautiful chronicle of your journey, loss, and then celebrating your family–the children here and in heaven. <3
It had been awhile since I looked at pictures of Molly on the day she was born. I expected to have some tears but was surprised when I started sobbing. That was a hard day. I love all the ways you honored Molly on that day.
Our sweet Goddaughter will always be in our hearts. I think of her often as my seat at our family table looks out upon our Molly Magnolia. I look forward to it's branches growing thick enough to hold kids and seeing Sean, Abby, Cora, and Dean play on it like you and I did on the one we had growing up.
Thank you, Kathy, for this. It was simply beautiful. <3
This was so heartbreakingly beautiful, Kathy. I love how you tell your own story, the story of Molly and Babies Benson, but also the story of all of us, too … that picture of the balloons is a testament to just how many angels are watching over us. I’m crying all over again.
You are such a brave, beautiful spirit. Thank you for sharing this with us … and remembering with you today, the ones who will be always in our hearts.
xo
Justine recently posted..Letting Children Go: The Limits of Freedom and Responsibility
Just beautiful, Kathy.
What an amazing tribute to Molly & the Benson babies!
I have many pictures of Miss O. in Big Sister shirts, that never were fulfilled, sitting in a box. Seeing what you did, makes me want to did those memories out and do something with them, even if it’s just for me.
Thank you for sharing it with us.
Photogrl recently posted..New Beginnings
Kathy, I’m sorry I took so long to comment on this, I wanted to really take the time to watch your beautiful video uninterrupted. And I’m so glad I did because every minute of it was a treasure and I feel so honored to have shared in the creation of your family, if only in a small way. Thinking of you and Molly and Babies Benson today and always.
Esperanza recently posted..UF&FQ: This weekend
I posted a long comment, but I guess WP ate it. Which is OK, because I came back with more to say…
I have been thinking about this unforgettable video a lot since I saw it yesterday. There is something so personal, yet so universal about it. I really haven’t seen anything as powerful as “Always in Our Hearts,” ever, that reflects so well the toll that loss has on a family.
Yet, there was something so life-affirming too about your story: I was so moved by the grace and remembrance, and how Molly is, as you said, always in your hearts.
Truly, thank you for sharing this with us. I feel so honored to have met you and know you, as well as to see your family’s story.
xoxo
Jjiraffe recently posted..Remembrance
Absolutely beautiful tribute
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