Nicholas' 3rd Angel Day ~ Race and Remembrance

September 26, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

It’s hard to believe that we are approaching Nicholas’ 3rd Angel Day. The past three years have been intense, unpredictable and full of unimaginable grief, but they have also been filled with hope, inspiration and an incredible amount of healing. Although it is painful to not have Nicholas here with us, his spirit and his legacy have infused our family with indomitable strength and immeasurable love over the past 3 years. We remember him often, we honour him daily, we love him unconditionally. He is forever a part of our hearts and our souls.

Many of you will remember that for the past two years, on or around November 7th, our dear friends, Marcus and Meagan Olson participate in a duathalon in honour of our baby boy. The experiences we have witnessed on these days have been truly beautiful and perfect. We are so thankful to have such a wonderful and positive focus on a day that is extremely emotional for our family. This year, on November 5, 2011, we will again be participating in the same duathalon and dedicating the day to Nicholas. We are very blessed to have such a wonderful support system.

This year we would like to invite anyone who is interested in being a part of “Team Nicholas” to participate. Marcus will be racing in the long (3.8K Run – 10K Bike – 3.8K Run) course. There is also a short (short (1.9k Run-5k Bike-1.9k Run) course for those who are interested.

The duathalon will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at Sir Sanford Fleming College in Peterborough, Ontario. The course is completely off road and is a mix of single track and open trails. If you are interested in participating please contact myself or Marc and Meagan directly. There is certainly power in numbers and we look forward to another inspiring day!

The following link will direct you to the Dirty Duathalon website – for registration and information.
http://runnerslife.ca/xnew/html/modules/newbbex/viewtopic.php?topic_id=2956&forum=1&post_id=10385#forumpost10385

Last year we invited family and friends to donate to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Southlake Regional Health Center in honour of Nicholas. We were overwhelmed with the response and humbled to be able to contribute to such an important initiative in Nicholas’ name.

This year, we have another vision to celebrate and honour Nicholas. Jim, Evan, Kyle, Madison and I, along with some very generous friends and family, will be creating some special Hospital Memory/Comfort Boxes for the labour and delivery ward of our local hospital. During the past 3 years I have been fortunate enough to meet and support some extraordinary parents who are suffering the loss of their babies. It is my understanding and my experience that not too much exists in terms of tangible care and support when you are forced to leave the hospital with empty arms.

It is our hope to provide items in these packages to newly bereaved parents that may help in memorializing their babies. When parents are forced to face the unimaginable; saying goodbye to their children, tangible things such as pictures and hand/footprints aren’t often thought about until it’s too late. Our goal is to offer comforting options... options that are not typically thought of in the fresh stages of grief.

Our Memory/Comfort Boxes will include the following:
• Tea light
• Journal & pen
• Angel Wings
• Small blankets
• Small knit hats
• Disposable cameras
• Water soluble ink pad and paper for hand/footprints
• Poems and support information

Jim, Evan, Kyle, Madison and I would like to invite you to support “Team Nicholas” in honour of our son, Nicholas Warren Reeves, this November 5, 2011.

By donating any of the above items for our Memory/Comfort Boxes or by visiting the Angel Wings Memorial Boutique (http://angelwingsmemorialboutique.blogspot.com) and donating via PayPal you will be helping us to celebrate Nicholas’ life, honouring his memory and supporting newly bereaved parents in creating precious memories of their children.

I would also like to take the opportunity to introduce you to a dear friend and fellow grieving mother, Caroline. Caroline said goodbye to her second son, James, at Southlake Regional Health Center on January 20, 2011. Caroline has become a beautiful friend and is offering her time and her heart to this wonderful cause. It is because of our friendship and her support that we dedicate the Memory/Comfort Boxes in James’ name as well as Nicholas. I am certain that they are magical friends in the clouds.

We thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for taking the time to consider remembering our precious Nicholas in such a special way.

If you are interested in donating items for our Memory/Comfort Boxes OR if you are interested in contributing a monetary gift to help in purchasing the items for the boxes via PayPal please visit the following link (http://angelwingsmemorialboutique.blogspot.com). There is a “donate” button on the left panel. Please be sure to indicate your donation is for the Memory/Comfort Boxes.

Or, you may contact me directly.

lcreeves3@hotmail.com

905-967-1274

455 Heddle Cres
Newmarket, ON
L3X 2J4

As we hope to deliver the boxes on November 7th, 2011, donations would be appreciated by October 21st, 2011. This will give us 2 weeks to create these special memoirs. Thank you so much.

Every donation provides hope. Every gift is precious.

With Love and Gratitude,
Marcus, Meagan, Noah and Finnley Olson
&
Leanna, Jim ,Evan, Kyle, Madison and Angel Baby Nicholas Reeves

“I would rather have had one breath of his hair, one kiss of his mouth,
one touch of his hand, than an eternity without it…”

Moving Post

Team Ewan - And Everything After

What a profoundly moving post. Speaks volumes. We can relate so deeply.

Beyond Hope

Thank you to Franchesca for keeping this blog hop going. I feel honoured to be able to be a part of it.

I think the biggest thing that brings me hope lately is the return of my own sense of hope. I can feel it again. I mean truly feel it... and being able to feel so deeply and without inhibition again is truly something I never thought would be part of my life again.

Since losing Nicholas almost three ago, I have had glimpses of hope... I've seen the light.. I have won some of the battles. When I look into our other boys eyes, I am hopeful for their future. When we found out we were expecting again after Nicholas, although petrified, I could feel the glory of family start to surround me again. And when Miss Madison was born and safe and sound on my chest, I could believe in the beauty of miracles again. but if I am honest with myself, there was always a cloud reigning overhead. Always a strong feeling of something bad to come. I am certain that these feelings were my own... I am certain that my brain was protecting my heart and not letting any guards down. I am certain that when you go through something as life changing as losing a child your senses and your heart are permanently altered.

Lately I have felt a lot more free. Free from the heaviness. Free from the burden that encapsulated my soul for so long. Of course, I have my moments... my days. Sometimes I picture Nicholas beautiful, beautiful face and I literally must catch breath at the thought of him not being here. It's amazing how one small, split second can send your heart reeling.

Most of my days feel lighter and truly happier. I agree with Franchesca when she said "hope is not just about feeling it in your life, it's about choosing it." How incredibly true and what a changing experience it is when you finally realize that. As bereaved parents we can choose so many paths. One of despair and desperation or one of faith and hope. I am a firm believer that it is much, much more difficult to choose the latter. It requires indomitable strength, courage and a will to survive such tragedy.

There are so many women in this community that exude all of those qualities. Women I am humbled to call "friends". Women I have learned so much from. Women who have taught me to 'choose hope'.

Love you Ladies....
Love you Nicholas...