Hope's Story - Her memory

Here are a couple things (nothing too fancy) that we have done to guarantee that Hope’s presence will be felt in our home:

  • We took lots of pictures! (At her funeral, my cousin commented that for every minute of Hope’s life there must be several pictures.) We had a few display tables at her funeral and currently display pictures prominently in our home.
  • During my pregnancy, I kept a journal. I wrote the entries directed to Hope. I look forward to periodically reminding myself of these experiences and, at times, sharing them with others as appropriate.
  • Kind friends offered to create molds of Hope’s hands and feet. We were given many darling bracelets that she wore in her casket and they will be put on the mold of her hands.

Other traditions, I am sure will develop as time passes. Holidays and birthdays will be important days of remembrance.

OUR TESTIMONY OF JESUS CHRIST

I have tried to do everything possible to maintain Hope’s memory although her time with us was so painfully short. The best thing I know how to do is talk to others about her, about her condition and, perhaps most importantly, about the spirit and the testimony that she strengthened in our lives. Hope’s legacy is the testimony of Jesus Christ that has grown in my heart, in the heart of her sweet dad and in the lives of so many others. Mike and I were both raised by parents who taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have both sought to live according to His teachings. We have both been active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout our lives. Nothing, however, has drawn us closer to the Lord and testified more of His reality and love of His children than the tragedy we experienced with our sweet daughter. We testify that through the atonement of Jesus Christ we will be sustained and supported through our trials and difficulties. I know that the Lord will not ask us to bear more than we are able to handle. And He will give us the tools we need to endure and even grow from these experiences.

4 comments:

  1. Wow, I am so thankful for your testimony and love of the gospel. My heart goes out to you but I can testify of the peace that prayer and preisthood blessings can bring. Thank you for sharing your story. I know families are forever!!

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  2. Hello,
    I'm a midwife and learned today that one of my patients is pregnant with a baby with trisomy 18. They have other children, all healthy and happy. I didn't know much about the severity of trisomy 18 until today. After reading your website for your precious baby Hope, I've been able to learn and hopefully share your story with them. They, like you are also mormon with strong religious beliefs. I'm sure that will help them to get thru whatever the future brings. Many blessings and thankyou for sharing your baby's story.
    Jude

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  3. Your story is beautiful. It gives me hope that my brother and his wife will be ok with their faith in jesus.They just found out yesterday its a strong possibilty their son has trisomy 18. There baby has cyst in the brain, enlarged liver, a narrowing part of the heart and they couldnt get the baby to open his hands during the ultrasound. We are all praying of course that he will be healty. Please prafor them too.

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  4. Marinda and Mike what a sad, but sweet and tender experience you have shared. I am so glad that you are publicly sharing your testimony about this experience. Marinda, you always were someone that could find what Heavenly Father wanted you to do and be so positive about it. That is a special quality.
    Megan Myers

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