#ourbudhud

Dealing with grief and loss is tricky and different for every person. I am learning not to hide from it, embrace it, be honest about where you are in your coping, and work through it with those you love and who love you. This is a hard week, it would have been the week we welcomed Hudson into the world. Our first due date calculated was July 18 and then at some point in the second trimester it was bumped up to today, July 15. Both register to us as Hudson days.

Between today and Saturday, we would have had him here with us as science predicted, had there not been a cord accident. This is the final realization that it was not a dream, this was very real and he is not coming. Instead of letting sadness get the best of us, let's create happiness. If you are reading this, whoever you are, that means you are part of our support system - whether we see you frequently, haven't in years, or have not had the privilege to meet yet.

Today through Saturday, anytime you see something beautiful or inspirational, an act of kindness or love, anything that brings a smile to your face, please post a picture on social media of it with #ourbudhud. Using this hashtag, we will be able to collect these pictures in one place and turn them into a special "book of happy" in memory of Hudson and in honor of all precious angel babies that were born sleeping. These pictures will help illustrate hope and healing to those coping with loss and we'd like to turn them into something we can give to other bereaved families as well. If you feel inclined, post a "happy" and share!

This book is a step to create beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3) and share with those who need it. At some point in our lives, we all do.