100+ followers Giveaway

I can't believe how many days it's been since I posted about reaching 100 followers...and now I sit at 104. I promised a giveaway in honor of reaching that mark, and yet I still haven't posted anything. I am beyond apologetic for making a promise and then not following through.

So, in honor of reaching the hallowed mark of 100 and to make up for the lost time without posting a giveaway, I have decided to give away, not 1, but 2 prizes for this giveaway. After some long debate, I realized that I needed to find something to give away that was connected to what my followers mean to me. I had to figure out how to connect the stories and support of those who read my story and comment to something that has also helped me heal and grieve. After some help from a friend, I realized that one particular item that has helped me heal has been reading books by fellow babyloss mamas and/or people who have experienced loss or simply understand it better than others.

One book in particular that holds a special place in my heart is Knocked Up, Knocked Down by Monica Murphy LeMoine. In a recent post titled Somewhere to Belong, I had written about the "realness" of this writer and the connectedness I felt when reading her story. As a fellow blog writer herself, the author really knew what I needed to hear and how to make me feel less alone. She helped me have a place to belong and someone to belong with. This is what all my followers have done for me also. I know how much I hate that we are on this journey together, but honestly, there is no one I would rather be on it with. You all are so wonderful....and I am beyond blessed by you and what you have done to help me.

The 2nd option for a winner will be the book, Tear Soup, by Pat Schweibert and Chuck DeKlyen. This book was lent to me from my grief counselor early on after the loss of my daughter. This book was written specifically for grief after the loss of a baby, yet the loss felt very much the same. It's written from the eyes of Grandy, an elderly woman, who has experience a loss of some kind, although you are never actually sure whom she grieves for. Yet, as you read Grandy's story, she validates grief and she validates the time essence of grief. She and the authors make you feel that it's okay to "make tear soup" for as long as you need. This is another similarity to my followers. You have all validated me. You have made me feel important and loved. You have respected the time it has taken me....and continue to support me no matter what. I am eternally grateful to you for doing that. It's been a huge help to me.

So, please, comment on this post if you are interested in winning either one of these books to help you on your journey. Knocked Up, Knocked Down will make you laugh and to cry all in the same chapter and help you realize that we do get better....and things will get easier....yet never the same. Tear Soup will help you and others appreciate your grieving time. It will make you realize that there is no time limit to what you are feeling. Either one is a good choice and have definitely been huge supports to me...and I cannot wait to share one of them with you. Please indicate which book you would prefer when commenting. Thank you again. ((hugs))

*Winners will be chosen by February 12th, 2011.*

Days 12-15

Day 12 - something you are OCD about.

This day's idea made me laugh out loud because I really don't think I'm too OCD about anything; however, when you really have to sit down and think about it, we all have some little quirks that bother us to no end. So, here are my biggest things that "bother" me the most:

1) Having to have a clean mirror in the bathroom.
2) People who sit on the same side of a booth when there are only two people present at the table. (Sorry if any of you do this...I'm sure it's very intimate....but it looks so silly to me).



Day 13 - a fictional book that is meaningful to you since your loss.

Tear Soup by Pat Schwiebert, Chuck DeKlyen, Taylor Bills
A modern day fable told about a lady who suffers a terrible loss and how she handles her grief by making tear soup.
-Loved the simplicity of the book. It wasn't directly connected to the loss of a baby, but the concept that grief is never-ending is still the same. It taught me to be careful with myself and take it one day at a time. It made it "okay" to make tear soup whenever I felt it was necessary.

Day 14 - a non-fictional book that is meaningful to you since your loss.

Life Touches Life by Lorraine Ash, Christiane Northrup.
In this moving account the authors discusses the inner changes she faced after the stillbirth of her daughter, delves into spiritual questions that shook her soul, and examines the connection between mother and child that transcends separation and death.
-Related well to Lorraine's story and the pain she felt after she lost her daughter. Ash never went on to have any other children, which was hard to read about since I would like to have more children someday, but she found some peace in her life and a way to remember what her daughter meant to who she is today.

Day 15 - what you like about your house.

Since I just recently moved into a different apartment, I'm still in the process of putting things up and making it feel like home. However, in this place, I'm going to have a place to honor and remember my little girl. It's called, "Kennedy's Korner." I'd love to take a picture of it, but it's just not ready yet. Kennedy's Korner will be an area of my apartment where she is remembered and honored for who she is and what she symbolizes in my life. Obviously, my candle that Audrey's momma made me will be there, along with many butterfly items and some of the pictures I have received with Kennedy's name from all of my wonderful BLMs. I also had a very close friend who drew a picture of a chickadee and butterfly with Kennedy's initials in the wings that he gave me for Mother's Day. I feel so blessed to have people in my life who continue to remember my little girl and how much she means to me. I vow to never forget, Kennedy. And Kennedy's Korner will always be present some place in my home and in my heart.