Ministry Highlight: Beloved Little Ones

Beloved Little Ones is a grief ministry at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish. This small but dedicated group of men and women provide items to area hospitals to support families who experience pregnancy loss and stillbirth. These items include memory boxes, books, hand and footprint molds, bracelets for the mother, blankets, black ribbon pins and more. Some items are purchased, while others are handmade by the group members. The ministry made its’ first donation to Tacoma General Hospital in the fall of 2003 and to date has donated more than 7000 items to Tacoma General Hospital, Madigan Army Medical Center, Good Samaritan Hospital, the Auburn Family Birth Center and others. Funding for the ministry is through the blue Outreach envelopes that parishioners designate to Beloved Little Ones.

Here is a glimpse of the work of this ministry through the following stories:

Emmett's Story

I am so thankful to have the opportunity to share our story and to shed light on the wonderful ministry that is Beloved Little Ones and the effect they have had on my life.

  My name is Krista and mine and my husband Jake’s adventure into parenthood started off like most. We fell in love, created a home together and soon after discovered we were expecting. Every day was filled with excitement and curiosity in anticipation of meeting our son Emmett.  The morning of July 7th, 2014 started off like any other day, I was 38 weeks pregnant and so ready to meet our little guy.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t like any other day.

 This day we were told our son no longer had a heartbeat.  In a split second we were forced into a club no one wants to, or expects to be a part of. We had lost our son, and now were the parents of an angel.  I was quickly admitted to Tacoma General Hospital to prepare for induction and the subsequent silent birth of our son.

Emmett John Brown was born sleeping July 9, 2014 at 12:01 pm.  It's hard to put into words those hours leading up to his birth. We were confused, angry and just couldn’t understand why this was happening to us. We are so blessed with an abundance of love and support from family who rallied to keep things afloat when Jake and I couldn’t think straight.  At the time Emmett was born, all I could think was to take in his smell, attempt to memorize every wrinkle in his  face because I knew our time with him was limited.  It didn’t occur to me in that moment to take a photo or ask for a hand print, all I wanted was to remember everything I could.

Unbeknownst to us at the time, the Beloved Little Ones had donated foot and hand print molds, infant loss ribbon pins and a beautiful memory box.  These items were presented to my husband and I before leaving the hospital and I remember feeling so fortunate. So fortunate that at a time when we couldn't think straight there was someone there helping preserve our son's memory.   

Years have passed but Emmett’s story is still part of our everyday life.  One of the hardest parts of being a parent of an angel is knowing your child only exists in your memories and the memories of those who love you. These items from Beloved Little Ones may be simple to some, but for a parent who has suffered like we have, it is the only tangible memory we have that our child really did exist.  Jake and I were blessed in November 2015 with the birth of our second son, Parker. The mementos provided to us from Beloved Little Ones have been a great tool when sharing with Parker the story of his older brother Emmett.  

I will never be able to thank Beloved Little Ones enough for their generous donation. These items are dear to our hearts and help keep Emmett’s memory alive. 

Sandra's Story

My name is Sandra Moore, I work at Madigan Army Medical Center full time as a Labor and Delivery Registered Nurse and I am our Bereavement Program Coordinator. We care for Perinatal Loss families from 15 weeks to 40 weeks gestation. We grow to love many of our families while we take care of them and develop lifetime bonds of affection. It is a sacred honor to care for these special families in their time of grief.  We have a wonderful group of Nurses and Physicians who are passionate in their care of Perinatal Loss families.

For the past 10 years, we have companioned with 248 Perinatal Loss families during their deliveries.  Beloved Little Ones has been with each of these families. Every family received a hat and blanket that was knitted by talented artists from Beloved Little Ones. Their baby was wrapped in that knitted blanket as soon as he or she was delivered. Every family also was given memory boxes, memorial loss pins, Teddy Bears, educational materials, Bibles and Scripture, Rosaries, educational materials, and pictures that Beloved Little Ones supplied.  One family took their Teddy Bear and placed the ashes of their baby into it; the bear meant so much to them. The Mom cuddled the bear while she was in the hospital recovering from complications of birth.

I know the reason why you give so much to these families. It is your agape love and knowledge that giving mementos to loss families helps them in their grief journey of missing their child.  They are always so thankful for the items they received, and thankful for the time they had with their baby. I know your labor of love will not go unnoticed and you have made a difference in their lives. Not only will they remember the Nurses and Physicians, but they will remember you too.

I look forward to many years continuing my relationship with Beloved Little Ones, Teri DeGroote and Madigan. It is a privilege to care for families in their darkest hours, and your support makes all the difference.  Thank you for giving without expecting anything in return.

We give thanks to God for all those whose hearts have been touched through this important work of presence, mercy, compassion, and care. We all receive a deep grace in the midst of tragedy in so many ways. It is seen in the parents and families who have experienced such an incredible loss that are witness to a profound mystery of strength and faith through their suffering. It is in the small and short lived lives of our beloved little ones whose light testify to an irreplaceable imprint and powerful impact on us all, never to be the same. And it is in all of us to remember that all lives are sacred and to accompany one another as the safeguard of family during life's most difficult moments.

Please continue to keep the families who have endured this kind of loss and the work of this ministry in your prayers.