Hello, my name is Amber and I want to help one of my best friends to fundraise for her daughters memorial name plate.

18 years ago today Ryland went to be with the Lord. What a gift we could give to help Alicia pay for her name, put some flowers in, and also make boxes for other moms who need the support after the loss of a baby.

Here is Ryland and Alicia's story...

No one should ever have to bury their child, unfortunately I experienced this at the age of 24 and my sweet angel was just 33 weeks gestation. I walked into the hospital on March 8th, 2007 pregnant and left with nothing, but my family by my side.

There were complications with Ryland's pregnancy from the beginning. I got pregnant just 6 months after Paprika was born and right before Christmas of 2006, I was visiting a Specialist to get a 2nd opinion as the Drs were concerned with her lack of movement and she had a cleft foot. That Dr thought everything looked OK and we would revisit after the new year.

January 2007 comes and and we head back to the Specialists, only seeing a different Dr, and this is where the concern happened. I was put on bedrest and was told I had to come in weekly for checkups. At some point Ryland was diagnosed with Arthrogryposis- a condition that doesn't allow you to extend your limbs all the way out. After that day we continued to see more specialists learning about her condition and what life may be like after she's born.

I feel that they prepared us for so much about life once she was born, but never once talked about the possibility of her life ending while still in my womb.

On this day, 18 years ago, her dad and I walked into the Perinantal clinic for our weekly ultrasound appt. The radiation tech was asking me questions about her moving that morning and I wasn't sure when I felt her last. Then she went and got the Dr. and after hearing her say, "sometimes their little hearts just aren't strong enough" - I was in shock. I really didn't understand what was happening until I saw all the staff crying and my new Dr was talking about going into labor naturally or getting induced that night.

On the evening of March 8, Ryland Gail was born sleeping, her dad and I and my mom were present. My mom got to give her a bath and I was able to hold her and be with her for as long as I wanted. The next day, my best friend came by to see her and we spent a little more time with our angel. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you, some days are harder than others. - Alicia

I will never forget how perfect and beautiful Ryland looked. I was thankful for the opportunity to hold her, hug her, and pray over her. What an honor to be invited into such a sacred space. Alicia and I went to a weekend retreat for mothers who had lost a child. I am eternally grateful to have seen sweet Ryland and be able to help Alicia finally put her sweet girls name at her burial spot.

Another comforting part of this story is that Ryland was buried 3 ft above her grandma Novak. The rest together ❤️

~ Amber