Lunch with Jessica Alba

Today I attended a luncheon benefiting the OC Walk to Remember.  This organization was started by a bereaved parent after she lost her son.  The goal is to provide support to other parents, educate staff that deal with bereaved parents and raise funds for area hospitals so that they can better serve their patients.

(photo by STUART PALLEY, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER)

Each year there is a walk where funds are raised and babies are remembered.  This year it will be on October 6th at the District at Tustin Legacy.  I go every year and normally our hospital has a table where we have support materials and educational resources on our comfort care program and support groups.  I also like being to reconnect with parents that I have met through our program or at the hospital while I am at the walk.

Recently The Honest Co. has decided to partner with OC Walk to Remember.  The Honest Co. was started by Jessica Alba as she sought to find safe, organic products for her two daughters.  They have really cute diapers that are baby friendly, plus skin care products and cleaning supplies.

Jessica Alba came to the luncheon today also.  It was fun to be able to meet her and hear about her product line and her passion for safe, chemical free products.  She was quite sweet and quiet spoken.  I expected her to be loud and extroverted though she seems introverted to me.  Maybe a room full of medical people intimidated her.  I wish I could have talked with her more but so many people were trying to get her picture that I only spoke briefly with her.  

(photo by STUART PALLEY, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER)

 Click here to learn more about today's event. 

The Emcee today was Brad Stetson.  We go to the same church but hardly ever see each other on Sundays.  We seem to keep running in to each other at community events though.  He wrote a book about the experience he and his wife went through when they lost their first born son.  I have read his book, "Tender Fingerprints" and we give it to patients.

I am constantly amazed by people who can go through a life changing event, then turn around and use their pain and experience to help others.  Brad and the founder of the OC Walk to Remember, Kristyn von Rotz are such people.
Debbie

Little Sister Olivia

One of my recent comfort care patients gave birth to
a little girl named Olivia.

Olivia had Trisomy 18. 

Her mom made this video for Olivia's memorial service and decided to share it in the hopes that it may some how help other parents.

This baby only ever knew love.
She had a family that cherished her even with her issues.

I think her mother does a great job sharing her emotions and
her struggle with the news that her baby may not live.

She pleads with God.

She asks for it to not be true.

And in the end, she only wanted to see her baby alive.

Olivia was born alive.

She lived with her family for 7 weeks - dying on her 7 week birthday.

I had the honor of working with the family prior to the birth.

I also cared for them during her delivery. 

I held, fed and changed this little girl two days before she passed.

She taught me what love is about.

She taught me to prepare our parents for the possibility of  their baby going home.

She taught me how to celebrate life.

She taught me to slow down and cherish my family.

She was one special little girl .

Her family is an amazing family - gracious and honest.

Grab a box of kleenex, turn down the volume on my side bar play list and

 get ready to learn about love at it's finest.
I believe that you have to click on the video,  to watch it on youtube as the
video can not be embedded but it is worth clicking on the link.

Thank you Olivia's parents for sharing this video with all of us.

Your little girl's life was not lived in vain.

I am honored to have met all of you and

I know that one day you will be reunited in Heaven with your baby girl.

Thank you little Olivia for all that you have taught me!

This is why I do the job I do...

Debbie