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Saturday 5 January 2019

Comfort For The Tears Book


A couple of years ago I was contact by author and bereaved mother Melissa Desveaux. She was putting a book together of stories from parents who had experienced pregnancy loss, gone through a NICU journey with premature babies and stories from those who had been through infertility and IVF. She asked if I wanted to share Ava's story, which I did. I wrote her birth story which is also on my blog. It was published under the name "Comfort for the Tears, Light for the way" and recently she has published it againwith the title "Comfort for the Tears" with a few changes and added more stories.

Below I will share what the back of the book says:

Written by those who have been devastated by loss or grief before, during, and after pregnancy, courageously told as only those who have suffered immense tragedy can…

Comfort for the Tears takes you on an emotional journey into the lives of multiple families. Each account of pregnancy and infant loss, fertility struggles, and premature births is honest, raw and real, yet sensitive and compassionate.

This collective memoir provides support, guidance, and love through the incredibly hard times of grief. Find healing and solace as you join these parents. Be empowered and strengthened by their stories. Most importantly, learn to hope again.


I would love you to support Melissa in what she is doing to support others. If you would like to purchase a copy of the book you can search for it at Amazon and also Barnes and Noble online
 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/comfort-for-the-tears-melissa-desveaux/1130038044?ean=9780992499372

The link to Melissa's website is bit.ly/comfortforthetears


A look back of Ava Grace No Footprint Too Small 2018

I had taken a long break from Ava Grace No Footprint Too Small following a stressful and high risk pregnancy with our rainbow Jesse and then many months getting back into the routine of having a young baby.

I had decided that when I started donating again I needed it to be sustainable. I don't have much storage space anymore as Jesse is in what was our spare bedroom so I could not take on or store huge quantities of baby blankets and clothes. I take on what I can, when I can so that I can do this long term as a legacy for Ava. This year I have sent packages to Adelaide, Victoria, QLD and NSW. I have had hospitals contact me asking for more items when they have gone through all that has been given in the past. I was able to do this because of wonderful volunteers who give up their time and spend money on wool and sewing materials to make these items. I have also had the pleasure of meeting over lunch with some of the more local volunteers.

I have also decided to try and focus in especially on babies who have passed away between 12-24 weeks as this is often what hospitals receive the least of. I am deeply saddened when I hear of families still not having any thing to dress and wrap their babies in which to me is common decency that these babies and families deserve. If you know of hospitals that could use tiny baby clothes then please get in contact with myself as I would love to help. Just in December I posted and delivered more than 30kg of baby clothes.

I have also been able to send individual packages out to grieving families this year when they have contacted me. if you ever hear of someone in this circumstance please let me know as I would love to help out in any way I can.

2019 has begun and I am hoping to carry on Ava's legacy by helping more hospitals and families reach bereaved families. 

Find us on Facebook at Ava Grace No Footprint Too Small. I have a Public Page and I also have a private page for volunteers if you would like to help!

Tiny Dancer

About a month ago I attended my children's dance concert. It was a wonderful day seeing both Ella and Oliver perform as they both love to dance. They had the opportunity to dance in two concerts that day. The junior concert and the senior concert.

The junior concert features some very young dancers, some as young as 2-3 years of age. I still remember when we fist watched Ella dance on the stage at 2 years of age, it was gorgeous seeing her smile underneath the lights.

Ava would of turned 3 last year. She would of joined a dance class either last year or the year before and would of been performing at the concert. 3 years ago, seeing toddlers dance on stage would of had me all choked up trying to force back tears. I didn't cry this year and I was able to watch these tiny dancers with a smile on my face as they were incredibly cute. However, I think it is always going to be difficult seeing anything that could of been a milestone event for our little girl. The "what if's and "should of been" and "could of been" memories are always there driving a knife into my  shattered heart.

Pregnancy loss is unfortunately common, that means that in that auditorium there would of been other parents watching dancers of all ages picturing their child centre stage and what the scene would of looked like.

My tiny dancer is dancing in heaven and I can't wait to see her dance!