An Everlasting Love...

from your founder, Joanne Cacciatore

Dear Ms. Cacciatore,

I do believe things happen for a reason. I am a teacher and the other day was home sick from school. I was watching a tape and when I turned it off the Leeza Show was on…You were on the show explaining your organization and I found it truly wonderful. I want to share with you my story…

Twenty-four years ago, I am now 45, my husband and I had a son who was born prematurely and lived for a day and a half. At the time there were many strieks against us interms of helping us to deal with our loss. First, the hopsital was not going to let me see my baby. They said they didn't thinkg it was good for me to see him because if he died it would be more difficult for me (as if it weren't difficult enough!) Fortunately…I did demand to see him, though I never got to hold him. After he died my nurse came in and found me crying and said I shouldn't be crying because there were people who lost their children when they were older so I had nothing to cry about. We also never named our baby…If those things weren't enough, when I got home from the hospital my mother had packed away all the evidence that I was ever pregnant. Friends and family said things like, "Don't worry, you'll have another…" Needless to say, we buried our grief and thought by not dealing with it, it would disappear. Instead in got preserved in a bubble inside of us just waiting to burst which is what happened several years ago. A crisis in our lives caused it to resurface. It was as if it were happening to us at that moment…Our tears and pain were so raw and fresh that it was incredible to me…I wish that your organization would have been there for me those 24-years ago. It was so reassuring to hear you say how important the baby is to a parent and the idea of not forgetting. If only we had been allowed to hold him, to name him…and not to be ashamed that we remembered. Even though it has be 24-years, you and your website have been a real comfort to me.

Thank You,
Cindy Davis
Canterbury, CT