Today in our Prematurity Voices series we’re featuring Ashley who wrote to us to share how loss inspired her and her family to help others during the holidays. If you’d like to share your story on our blog, email [email protected] to find out how.
Christmas time is a difficult time for anyone who’s lost a love one. It especially hurts my heart knowing that our angel Emma Nikole wasn’t here to celebrate Christmas morning with her brother and sister.
Our daughter was born 16 weeks premature, as a total surprise to us. She was born in March of 2010, survived 31 long days in the NICU, and made a huge impact on our lives. Although she can’t be here with us to share each holiday season, her memory lives on through our annual Emmazing Christmas Party.
Each Christmas since her passing, we have adopted a family in memory of our angel Emma. We host a big Christmas party where all of our friends and family bring gifts for the adopted family.
For The past 3 years we have adopted families with a baby in the NICU. Having an adopted Christmas family who is related to us through the NICU is special to us. It means a lot to help support a family who is spending all of their time and effort caring for their preemie in the NICU and family at home.
Presenting each family with all of their gifts for Christmas makes us feel like Emma’s memory lives on through each family. Our adopted families are always so grateful!
It’s always nice to help someone in need, and to be able to do so at Christmas time makes it even better!
In loving memory of Emma Nikole,
-The Stout Family
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