![]() ![]() But given that I’d committed myself, I attended that kick-off luncheon, agreed to be the fundraising team captain for my division. The pit of dread in my stomach grew, and I questioned whether or not I really wanted to participate after all. Asking the one with the dead premature baby did make a lot of sense. She thanked me, relief written clearly on her face, and said something I regretted hearing: “Well, I know you and Jason donate every year since. Because of the changes in leadership in our division, we’d had no team leader for two years and the division badly needed someone, and please, she begged me.Īt first, I thought she was asking me because she trusts me, or because of my volubly expressed desire to be of help to her in any way, and despite a rising knot in my stomach at the thought of actually doing something more than simply donating, I tried to pass off a grimace as a smile and reluctantly agreed that free lunch was never a bad thing. It’s something that my workplace takes very seriously, and each division is asked to form a team and raise funds and produce walkers. The lunch happened to be a kick-off to the annual March for Babies fundraising, which would culminate in the annual walk, held annually at my workplace. I think, though, that what happened next was natural, if not inevitable, given what I’ve just written I was approached by my new boss (a close former colleague) and asked if I would please, please attend a lunch. It was easy, and if it didn’t vanquish the need to cement Gabriel’s legacy, well, would anything? I rather think it’s a lifelong struggle to remind others that I have a son, that he mattered and continues to matter. We asked others who remembered him to do the same. We began donating, twice a year, on his due date and his birthdate. So immediate and necessary was that need that I now wonder if it wasn’t simply that March of Dimes was there. A vague feeling that if we could do some good, then it somehow made his death – not ok, never ok – but better? More palatable? More bearable? I’m not sure how the logic works, if it is present at all, but there is a visceral need to drag meaning and goodness out of the senselessness and personal tragedy of losing our son. Something that might emphasize his mark on the world, his importance to more than just the pair of us, some way to ensure that his very brief life was not forgotten. ![]() There certainly was a drive that both my husband and I felt to do something, anything that could be in Gabe's name, in his memory, in his honor. And of course, there hasn't been an organization devoted to helping families suffering from premature birth before viability due to malpractice and bad luck not that I've found yet anyway. Possibly it was because it was giant, far-reaching, recognizable, had to do with babies and was easy to explain. Perhaps it was because I had supported them before, perhaps it was because of the research they support and several friends with now-thriving preemies. Most importantly though, if we're friends beforehand, it won't be so awkward when I get up for a dance with you at the end of the night.īeing able to capture the love and connection you have on such a special day in your lives is pretty amazing and it is such a privilege for me to be a part of.Looking back, I'm not entirely sure how March of Dimes became our cause in the aftermath of Gabriel's death. I want to chat to you about the details of your wedding, what is important to you and your day. Getting to know you and your partner in the lead up to your day is so incredibly important to me. So if this sounds like you too, I think we will hit it off! I love good coffee, cool hats and adventures with my hubs. I specialise in capturing those natural, candid and intimate moments between you and your loved ones, without being intrusive. I've been working my dream job for the past 12 years now. I am based on the South Coast of NSW, in Australia, where the mountains meet the sea, and married to my high-school-sweetheart. Hey! I am Eliza, and I am a photographer based in Australia and New Zealand and specialise in capturing weddings, families and lovers.
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