Give a Little, Get a Lot: Free Heart Party Download

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost 18 months since Daphne passed away. I still miss her every day. I look at this photo—the only one that comes close to capturing the radiance of her spirit—and I think how sad it is that so few people got to experience her light in person. I have no doubt that she is very busy in the spirit world, fulfilling the mission God has called her to serve. For my part, I feel obligated to carry her light into the world and do as much good as I possibly can.

 

Because of Daphne, I found a new “family” of heart moms—brave, humble mothers called as guardians for great spirits born with broken hearts. It’s for these incredible women and their children that I support the American Heart Association, whose funding for pediatric cardiac research is second only to the federal government’s.

One way I support the AHA is by participating in my local Heart Walk and raising money specifically for pediatric research and programs. (Learn more about the Moms with Heart program.)

My fundraising goal for this year is $2,500. It’s an ambitious goal, but it’s a great cause. Did you know that 1 in 100 babies is born with a CHD? That’s a lot of children and families who benefit from ongoing pediatric research. You can help these children by making a donation today! Here’s how:

Option 1: Donate $25 through my official Heart Walk webpage. This is the smallest donation accepted online by the AHA.

Option 2: If you can’t give $25, please make a smaller donation via PayPal to rachel_l_gainer@yahoo.com. Every dollar makes a difference—$2, $5, $10, whatever you can give.

As a thank you for your donation, please download this free heart party designed in honor of Daphne by my friend Shasta Knight from Sassy Dean.

The party includes alphabet and heart pennants for a banner, six different cupcake wrappers, and fill-in-the-blank notecards for a baby shower, bridal shower, birthday, or other happy gathering.

 

Heart moms, use this party to celebrate your heart hero's birthday, homecoming, operation anniversary, angel anniversary, or other special day.

Please share the link to this free party download with everyone you know. Link to it on Pinterest. Share Daphne’s story, and help me reach my fundraising goal so that other heart babies will live longer, fuller lives.

Thank you for your support!

In Loving Memory: Bows for AL Babies

After Daphne passed away, I needed a way to think about her without focusing on my grief. I wanted to remember the blessings and miracles and ignore the unanswerable questions that made me feel weak, guilty, and ungrateful. I wanted to do something to honor her memory, thank the doctors and nurses who cared for her, and comfort other moms with sick babies.

The week after Daphne’s funeral, I began making small, handmade hair bows to send to UAB hospital in Alabama. With the help of several friends, I made 350 ribbon bows and 100 mini felt flowers (inspired by felt flowers I saw on the blog Make It and Love It), which I divided into 50 packages. Finishing this project took longer than expected, because we adopted Phoebe just one month after losing Daphne, but I finally shipped the bows to UAB with a lengthy thank you note and a request that they distribute the bows to other moms staying in the RNICU.

Working on the bows was therapeutic. It gave me an excuse to think of Daphne and a way to share her story—something I feel compelled to do. I hope those who receive the bows will feel a small measure of comfort from my simple offering.