Baby Lillian & Joseph- Funeral Fund

Life isn't easy.   We all know that.  But sometimes it is so unfair.

This week, my cousin Rosie and her husband Ryan experienced the joy of becoming parents to a baby boy, Joseph Antonio, and a baby girl, Lillian Marie.  Born at 26 weeks, it was clear the babies would have some challenges ahead of them.  Right away, things were touch and go for Baby Lillian. However, they fully expected Baby Joseph to not only survive, but also to thrive.   Sadly, just a couple of days after entering this world, Baby Joseph took an unexpected turn for the worse and lost his battle.   And then, within just minutes, we lost Baby Lillian as well. The grief Rosie and Ryan are feeling is incomprehensible.

We all know Rosie and Ryan to be two of the most giving and thoughtful people to walk this earth.  They were so incredibly excited to become parents and fell in love with Lillian and Joseph right from the start. Ryan was a great dad -- he refused to leave their sides, even sleeping upright in a chair next to them. They were also fortunate to have the babies’ grandparents with them to offer support and comfort:  Rosie’s parents, Maria and Antonio Ferreira and Ryan’s parents, Laura and Steven Finn.

Throughout this incredibly difficult nightmare, Rosie and Ryan have remained strong.  Right after the babies were born I texted Rosie to congratulate her on becoming a mother and to offer support during what I could only imagine was going to be a long and difficult journey.   Rosie responded with "thank you" and then, "this wasn't supposed to happen."   I tried to support her in the best way I knew how, but also let her know I was sad.  In true "Rosie fashion" she told me everything was going to work out.  It would all be ok.  That is our Rosie.  Always trying to take care of everyone else and make us feel better.

We plan for beautiful weddings surrounded by our closest family and friends.  We plan for new homes.  We plan for healthy babies.  We save and we scrimp and we daydream and we find a way to make our goals a reality.  No one plans for something like this.  Rosie and Ryan must now live with the grief and sorrow of losing their two children.  Every single one of us wishes there was something we could do to make this a little easier.  Something we could do to take the pain away.  The truth is, there isn't much we can do.  The one thing that will truly make a difference is a donation to help pay the funeral expenses for these two angels.  While your gift will not change what has happened, it will certainly help ease some financial strain. 

Thank you for reading, for supporting my family and for your generosity.