Heavenly Slumber Bags: A loving gift to comfort in grief.

After Noah passed, Jarrett, his parents, my parents and I sat quietly in a room and each took turns holding him.  It was for our parents the only time they got to hold their tiniest grandson.  I remember excusing myself from the room to use the bathroom, I felt sick to my stomach the entire time, and when I came back into the room I remember seeing my dad staring at the floor, my mom holding Noah, Jarrett's mom wiping her eyes and Jarrett's dad quietly looking downward.  As hard and heart-wrenching as it was to lose our son, in that moment, I remember the weight of grief in feeling so sad for our parents and thinking how difficult this situation had to have been for them too.

I've often wondered what they were feeling in those days and in the weeks/months after we lost Noah. How do you grieve the loss of your own grandchild while having to remain strong for your own child and their spouse?  The level and complexity of the grief they carried and probably still carry is oh so difficult in its own way.

When we started Noah's Kindness Project and brainstormed ideas of what we could do, one of the earliest plans was to help other families who walk a similar path.  We wanted to do what we could to help others find even the smallest sense of peace in the worst experience one could endure.  And one of the ways we found to try to do that is through the most beautiful, made-with-love gift of a Heavenly Slumber Bag. 

Nana working hard on the many beautiful gifts she shares with families in the NICU in Noah's memory.  

Jarrett's Mom and Dad have been making these gifts for families, like ours who do not get to take their baby home.  These precious gifts are a keepsake given to the baby's family as a way of showing that after all their baby endured in the NICU, they will be wrapped in loving, soft comfort when a mother and father can no longer hold onto them. 

As a part of Noah's Kindness Project this year, we will again be gifting the Heavenly Slumber Bags to the NICU.  Each and every one of those Slumber Bags is made with the love and care from Noah's Nana and Papa, and I asked them this year if they would write about the gift they have created in Noah's member.  As I read their words, I felt a slight glimpse into what they must have felt and thought as we were forced to say goodbye.  Their words are beautiful and touching and oh so meaningful... just like the Heavenly Slumber Bags they share.

In their words... from Noah's Nana and Papa...

Never far from our thoughts

Occupies our minds daily

Always in our hearts – love never ends

Healing -- by helping others allows us to heals our own broken hearts

The heavenly slumber bag was originally made for Noah after he passed. When the first NKP became a reality, I thought I would make twelve angel bags – one for each day of his life. We were praying that these heavenly slumber bags would bring some measure of comfort to a family enveloped in loss and heartbreak. To know others care and can relate since they have endured a similar loss. Angie found some ribbon that was imprinted with the footprints and the words “With Love from Noah James” to be sewn on.

We love the quote from Mother Teresa, “We can do no great things, only small things with great love." As we make items each year for Noah’s Kindness Project, we often think of the day you were born and the joy and happiness we felt. It was instant love for our little warrior, Noah. You were small in size, but strong in spirit and determination. You amazed us in your battle to survive which that strength has enabled us to move forward in your memory. The impact your short time on this earth has had on people from across the world is inspiring to be involved in. We hope it spreads every year so random acts of kindness will become part of our daily lives.

These are such a beautiful gift and we feel so fortunate that Noah's Nana and Papa are talented in their ability to make such a treasured gift for others.  For through our pain we have found comfort and now do our best to share that comfort with other hurting families.

Thank you Nana and Papa for making these beautiful gifts and for sharing your love and kindness with other little babies joining Noah in Heaven.  

Until next time,
Angie