Introducing Bethany Joy

[MamaBethany]

Hi, I'm Jennifer. We lost our beautiful firstborn, Bethany Joy, almost 3 months ago on August 6, 2008 -- due to Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. She was 15 days old. We wanted so badly for her to live, but the complications kept piling up so she was not a candidate for palliative surgery or heart transplant. We had to let her go to Jesus. It broke my heart.

I've been a silent reader on this forum since the week after Bethany passed away. Reading all of the beautiful stories of pain and comfort here, seeing all of your beautiful children who were showing my daughter around heaven, reading how you've survived through this -- it's all helped me to keep on living. Thank you a thousand times. Jennifer Brown was our NILMDTS photographer, along with Arah Kunz. The photos have probably been the most healing thing of all -- they record not only Bethany's beautiful features, but our love as a family. It was real. She was here. We loved. She couldn't live in this world because she only had half a heart and that couldn't be fixed. It was agony to see her suffer. It was agony to let her go. All of this is exquisitely recorded by Jennifer and Arah's photographs.

I want to join you all now. Thank you so much for being here.

[gtownherd]

You are in my thoughts and prayer's this is a place of healing. We have all
experienced what you are going through. I hope we can be of help. Your little girl is beautiful

[marybethsmomma]

Hello and welcome. I'm so sorry Bethany isn't here with you. I'm so glad you had the option of having her pictures done. I love showing people my daughter so they know that she was here and is a part of me.

[Valerie'sMomma]

Welcome Jennifer, you and your precious Bethany Joy. She is just beautiful- I have read your story on the main web site. Your love for your daughter was real, she was here and you are her family. Welcome.

[JenniferBrown]

Oh Jennifer,

I'm so glad to see you come out and post. Your family has been such a blessing to me. I still think of the 3 of you daily.

Thank you so much for letting us in the room to be with you during the hardest day of your life and letting us record her little life for you.

[KEA's Mom]

I sadly welcome you to the group. You are among friends and fellow travelers of this journey. I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm glad you've reached a point where you can reach out to us. We're here--all the time.

[tstracener]

Your Bethany is beautiful and I love her name. Just precious.

[Dawn Marshall]

Welcome Jennifer. Bethany is absolutely gorgeous....Thank you so much for sharing her with us. I love the look on your face as you are looking at her. So much love....

[Austin's Momma]

Your little girl is adorable. I am also new to the forum but had been a reader for the past month. I think that it is so comforting to find people you can relate to--who are experiencing similar struggles and milestones. It's unfortunate that we have had the experience of losing our babies, but I like to think that I am meeting the moms of little Austin's playmates.

[Matthew's mom]

I am new here too. Welcome. I am so sorry for your loss.

[CathyC.]

A beautiful name for a beautiful girl. I'm so sorry for your loss.