Gretta Emiline Wiemer
Born on October 25th, 2016
Died in her sleep on March 9th, 2017

Gretta was my granddaughter.  She was the first daughter of my wonderful son, Matthew Wiemer and his beautiful wife Jennifer Wiemer (Nee Leadbetter) aka Jenn. She had a big brother who loved her to the moon and back; his name is Griffin.  He has become more extraordinary every day as our family's strength and resolve is tested.

Gretta died of S.I.D.S; a silent and brutal thief that steals our youngest and most defenseless from us for apparently no reason but to cause suffering and heartache and tremendous guilt for the caregiver of the moment.  In this case that caregiver was my son, Matthew. Please believe me when I tell you he is the best father I have ever known.

When he discovered his daughter lying on his  bed, not breathing and unresponsive, his life changed forever.  Overwhelming panic, despair, disbelief, and finally all-consuming guilt have been his reality for the past 2 days.  It is clear to all who see him, his path back to a normal life will be a long one.  Anyone who has experienced this type of tragedy will agree.

The sounds of my son sobbing and the comforting words of his wife muffled against his head as she cradles him, all the while in such agonizing pain herself, is almost too much to bare.  This family is in crisis, and they need help.  They are good, they can make positive contributions to our society and to our community. I fear without help, they will lose their home, everything they have worked so hard for and possibly their marriage.  Not to mention their sanity.

This young couple will need counseling and so may little Griffin, although I think at times he could counsel all of us.  I reach out to the universe because for the first time as a mother, I am at a total loss.  I can't fix this, I can't kiss the wound away, there is no band aid to apply; the wound is invisible.  I am not financially able to help them beyond some groceries and some help with a bill or two. That is just not enough.

Any help you can offer will not be wasted.  And if you are unable to donate, I beg you to pray for them; pray for us as we try to make sense of something that will never make sense.  Thank you for stopping to read our story. God bless you!