A butterfly lights beside us like a sunbeam, and
for a brief moment its glory and beauty belong
to our world. But then it flies on, and though
we wish it could have stayed, we feel lucky to
have seen it.
From St. Joseph Mercy Hospital - Ann Arbor
Aug. 6, 2004
The last set of boxes you sent were loverly! A family lost a 3 month old chid in the ER last week and one box went to that family. Thankfully those are rare occurrences. Your ministry touches so many people.
Thank you again,
Irene
From a Mom
July 31, 2004
I am writing to thank you for the beautiful memory box I received in June at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. My husband and I lost our little boy at 22 weeks of pregnancy. We named him Owen Mark. The box was presented to us shortly after his birth and the nurse filled it with a copy of Owen's footprints and some polaroid pictures she took for us. I have since added prayer cards, a blanket, and letters we have written to Owen. It is so heartbreaking to lose a child, but it does help to know there are people who care so much. I get the box out every few days and go through the contents. It helps me feel closer to Owen.
The box I received was painted by Judy Hansen. Please extend my sincere gratitude to her. It is a treasure my husband and I will keep for the rest of our lives.
Sincerely,
Julie
From Bronson Methodist Hospital - Kalamazoo
May 20, 2004
Thank you so much for the beautiful boxes we really do appreciate your work.
The boxes really help make a difficult situation for our families a little better.
Dawn
From Gettysburg Hospital - PA
May 13, 2004
The Memory Boxes arrived yesterday. THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL!!! Bonnie is so talented. Words just can't express how grateful we are for her sharing her talent with us and the families of our "Little Angels".
Thank you, again, so very much and please thank Bonnie for us.
Rose
Obstetrics
From St. Joseph Mercy Hospital - Clinton Township
Feb,, 2004
Note 1 - Thank you so much for your donation of hand painted memory boxes. Each one is beautiful. I know our patients who have experienced a loss will truly appreciate them. It will help to make a very difficult time a little easier.
Thank You,
Suzanne
Nurse
Note 2 - Please thank all the women who painted the absolutely gorgeous memory boxes that we just received! These boxes are the most beautiful I've ever seen. The families who experience a perinatal loss will treasure them forever.
Karen
From Prince George's Hospital Center - MD
Jan. 15, 2004
To the decorative artists of the Great Lakes,
Thank you for the kindness and generosity reflected in the memory boxes we have received. Each one is really extraordinary.
Since we serve an indigent population, and are a high-risk pregnancy center, our moms are greatly blessed when they are given one of these boxes.
As bereavement support staff we are also blessed by the boxes and the gift of love they represent. Please extend our thanks to all artists from us.
Sincerely,
Susan
Coordinator Perinatal Bereavement
From Spectrum Health - Grand Rapids
Dec 18, 2003
I want to thank you for the beautiful memory boxes that you painted and sent to Spectrum Health Bereavement Services in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The boxes are beautiful as before!
These boxes came just in time! Yesterday, after I received your boxes in the mail, I put them in my office to unpack in the morning. This morning, bright and early, a night nurse approached me to say that we were out of memory boxes. I felt like it was Christmas morning as I opened your box. We were all "ahhing" as we unwrapped each box.
These boxes are so special to the bereaved families. Last week I gave two boxes to young family who had a set of twins die shortly before birth. This family commented to the nurse how much they appreciated the love that went into the boxes they received. Thank you for the time and talent you put into your memory boxes.
Blessings
Nancy
Bereavement Services Coordinator
From a Mom
Dec 15, 2003
Dear GLDA,
One September 30, 2003, my husband and I delivered our stillborn son, Wyman Mitchell at 37 weeks. Upon our departure from St. Joe's we received all of Wyjman's belongings in a very beautiful handpainted box. The memory box is very dear to us as it holds all that we have. Our box was painted by Deborah Warunek and has brought us comfort during this very hurtful time. To help others who unfortunately will be in our same situation someday, we would like to make a donation each Christmas in Wyman's memory to help support your group.
Dawn
From Miami Children's Hospital - FL
Oct. 21, 2003
I am writing to let you know that we received the memory boxes you sent to us. Words cannot express what these boxes will mean to the parents that will unfortunately have to take them home. They are absolutely beautiful and will make a huge difference for many of our families. These boxes will serve as a remembrance of the many babies that do not make it home. Thank you again for your thoughtful time and caring, your generosity will not be forgotten. It is wonderful to know that there are individuals like yourselves who care so much about others.
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Certified Child Life Specialist
From a Mom
Dec 5, 2002
To Whom It May Concern -
I received one of your beautifully made Memory Boxes on October 31, 2002 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ypsilanti. I want to say thank you to Pat Ehnis for her sweet and delicate craftsmanship. It truly is a beautiful box and I will cherish it forever and put some of my sweet memories of my baby in it!
I was 20 weeks pregnant and my little girl, Lily Rebekah had many problems, genetic and otherwise.... but then at my ultrasound they discovered no heartbeat....so I was faced with delivering my sweet little baby! It was a long 12 hour delivery even though she was only 7 ounces and 8 inches long. The staff at St. Joe's was tremendous and I also received a Newborn Loss Basket filled with goodies and mementos. I tell you, if there ever was a time in life to have a difficult pregnancy - now's the time, because people really know how to care !! I'm a nurse, by profession, but have been homeschooling my 5 kids these last 12 years... but I see the medical field has come a long way in understanding what patients go through.. and with the help of people like you donating your services.... well, like I said... if there was ever a time!!!
I just wanted to say thank you and keep up the good work! God does reward those who care AND really show it by acts of kindness!
God bless,
Lucy
From Parkview Hospital - Fort Wayne, IN
Nov. 2, 2004
Dear Artists,
Thank you so very much for the beautiful boxes you created and sent to our hospital for use as memory boxes. The parents of the babies who die here are so thrilled to have something tangible to take home with them that contains all the memories they have of their baby. Boxes as beautiful as those you created will be treasured greatly.
We so appreciate your talent, dedication and selfless giving to this wonderful cause. Know the chaplains offer words of thanks each time they are in a circumstance to use one of the boxes.
Sincerely,
Jeannine Nix
Lead Chaplain
From A Mom to GLDA member Fern Ameel
December 29, 2004
Ms. Ameel,
It has been 3 weeks since the birth of William Christopher. The memorial box so beautifully painted by you holds many memories of our short time with him. The box sits beside my bed and I love to look at it everyday! (I even took it to Christmas Eve Mass).
Thanks and God Bless
Debby
From Phoeby Putney Hospital, Albany, GA
Februaray 14, 2005
Thank you so much for your contribution to the Memory Boxes program. Our families and staff have been delighted with them. I especially like receiving a larger one once in a while because semetimes the NICU babies have more items to put in the boxes. We appreciate your efforts and it is especially heartwarming to know you do this for a family you will never meet. It means more than you can imagine...
Bobbie Campbell, LMSW
Farmily Advocate, NICU
From Einstein Weiler Hospital, Bronx, NY
March 28, 2005
Dear All,
Today I received a shipment of the most beautifull decorated memory boxes. Thank you all so much for creating them for our grieving families - and also for sending them priority mail as we are just about out of them.
Each of our families who receives one of these beautiful boxes is so touched by the love and kindness that goes into them.
On behalf of all of our families, our staff & myself, thanks from the bottom of my heart!
Sincerely,
Mary D. Cavaluzzi, ACSW
From William Beaumont Hospital
April 5, 2005
I want to personally let you know how much we apprciate that you come to our rescue everytime we call. I thank you and ask God to bless you and all the people that are invlolved in making this such a success.
Sincerely,
Michelle