Bereaved Parents are Survivors & Have a Story to Share
This past weekend I shared my story and offered encouragement to bereaved parents on their journey of loss. I was the keynote speaker at the first ever Baby Steps Memorial Walk. It was a beautiful event, uplifting and thoughtful. I always appreciate the opportunity to reflect on my son Zachary whom I miss so much. You can watch the video of my speech or read it below, along with some photographs of the Baby Steps event. BABY STEPS MEMORIAL WALK SPEECH COPYRIGHT ALEXIS MARIE CHUTE Hello, my name is Alexis Marie Chute and I am honored to be here for the very first Baby Steps Memorial Walk. I have three children; Hannah and Eden are here with me today. My second child, Zachary, was born at 30 weeks gestation with a rare genetic condition and a tumor around his...
Read MoreBaby Steps Memorial Walk this Saturday
This coming Saturday, October 5, 2013 is the first annual Baby Steps Memorial Walk: “A special walk to remember all babies who have died during pregnancy or anytime after birth. Together, we will take the baby steps our little ones did not have the chance to walk.” I am very honored to be the keynote speaker for the Baby Steps Memorial Walk. I have been thinking about what I want to say for a long time; even before the event was created I had a message on my heart. I hope that everyone who comes will be encouraged on their journey of healing. Details: Saturday, October 5, 2013 Registration: 12:30pm (in the hall) Ardrossan Hall at Festival Place, Sherwood Park, Alberta Following registration, the program will take place outdoors in the park where we will walk...
Read MoreThe Walk to Remember & Creative Ways to Celebrate our Children other than Balloons
My family attended the Walk to Remember again this year in Edmonton, Alberta. As always it was a special way for us to remember and celebrate Zachary’s life. While I always enjoy the Walk to remember, after last year’s announcement of the world-wide helium shortage my hope was that all balloon-using events would become more creative in finding options other than balloons. For example, last year at the Walk we blew bubbles instead of releasing balloons. I know for myself, I love the idea of the balloon release in regards to remembering my son. It’s like a little piece of my love can float up to heaven and reach him where I cannot actually do so. It’s an abstract idea. A sweet sentiment for sure. For Hannah, who is three, she likes to think that Zachary is up in...
Read MoreRadio Silence
I have to apologize for not posting in a month. The radio silence was unintentional and I assure you I have a long list of encouraging and challenging posts stored up (coming soon). At the end of June I began my MFA (masters degree in fine art). While the focus of my studies is creative writing, my blog writing has taken a bit of a back seat to my big project on the go: my memoir. I encourage anyone who has lost a child and is struggling with grief to be creative. The arts – in all its many forms – were a huge tool I used to help along my journey of loss after Zachary died. Writing was an amazing outlet. As a part of my grad studies I am focusing on doing a first edit of my memoir. It is a huge job! The process is interesting as well because it puts...
Read MoreWalk to Remember Today in Edmonton
Today is the annual Walk to Remember in Edmonton, Alberta which celebrates young lives lost much too soon. The details: Where: Bandshell, legislative grounds, Edmonton. Noon: Picnic, bring lunch and a blanket to sit on. 1:00pm: The program will begin. 1:15: The walk will begin (approx 40 minutes). 2:00pm: Return to the bandshell for a reading of the baby names. This will be my fourth year attending the Walk to Remember. It is a gentle event that will allow you the precious pause to think about your child, grieve and move forward. If you attend, please find me and say hi! I’d love to meet...
Read More