In 2009 my husband and I were expecting our second child in September.  Around 28 weeks we found out that we were having a boy.  We were all so excited!  We began preparing for the little man and started coming up with names for him.

I went to all scheduled appointments and little man’s heart was always beating away and his movements were constant.  On Saturday August 15th, my husband and I noticed that he was moving around more than we ever noticed before.

I woke up on Sunday morning and went to church and napped most of the day.  By this time I was 8 ½ months pregnant and we were absolutely ready for baby boy.  We named our baby boy Gabriel Michael Hollingsworth.  I told my husband Sunday night that I had not noticed Gabriel moving.  I was up most of the night praying for this cup to pass me by, I think I already knew something was wrong with Gabriel.  

Monday morning we went to the doctor’s office and a heart beat could not be found.  Upon looking at the sonogram, Gabriel’s little heart was no longer beating.  I was taken to the hospital where they performed a c-section to deliver Gabriel.  I will never forget holding my baby boy in my arms and telling him good-bye.

Upon leaving the hospital, we had to begin the funeral arrangements for baby Gabriel.  While meeting with the funeral director, we realized how much a funeral can be – even for an infant.  Brad and I were fortunate enough to have the funds to provide a complete service, flowers and such for baby Gabriel.  This made me start to think – “What about those families who don’t have the choice of cremation or burial services for their children?” 

During my stay at the hospital, my awesome nurse mentioned to me a grief group that would possibly be of help to me.  When I checked this organization out, I found that the group meetings were over an hours drive away from home.  This then added to my questions-“What is available here in Ellis County for women to meet and begin to heal together?”

 

This is why The Light of Gabriel Foundation was formed.