Kind Words for Wanted, Chosen, Planned

Kind Words for Wanted, Chosen, Planned

It was wonderful to receive word this week that Wanted, Chosen, Planned was nominated for The Yeggies. You may be wondering, ‘What on earth is a Yeggie?” Short answer, The Yeggies are an Edmonton (YEG) New Media Award which honours local content creators. Wanted, Chosen, Planned was nominated in the “Best in Family or Parenting” category. While even just the nomination is a huge blessing, the comments left by nominators were really what got me. My greatest hope is for my writing and speaking to be an encouragement to others who have lost a child. I want my experience of loss and journey navigating this ‘new normal’ to help others along the way. For me, to hear that my readers are connecting with my words is the greatest reward. Here are some of the comments:...

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Happy Second Birthday, Zachary

Happy Second Birthday, Zachary

It has been almost a month since the second birthday (death day) of my son Zachary. I wanted to write about his birthday on the day, but found no time for it amongst the special family time we had planned. I meant to reflect on my blog about it the next day and the day following, but couldn’t find the words. Then a week passed and still, I could not bring myself to write. Why? I wondered. Why am I finding it so difficult to express where I am at or bring myself to share this very special day? Zachary’s birthday was full of many sweet times. We woke up in the morning as a family of four remembering our fifth. We drove to the Muttart Conservatory; a group of four glass pyramids in the heart of the city, greenhouses that glowed in the pale light of morning. We...

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Walk to Remember Speech by Alexis Marie Chute

Walk to Remember Speech by Alexis Marie Chute

Walk to Remember took place today and I am so thankful that I was asked to share words of encouragement with those who gathered. Here is my speech. I hope it touched those who attended the Walk but can also live on to encourage others who read it here on my blog. Love to you all. Walk to Remember 2012 – Children Remain in the Heart Hello, my name is Alexis Marie Chute. Thank you for the honor of speaking to you today. The first time I attended Walk to Remember I was 28 weeks pregnant with my second child, Zachary. My husband and I kept to ourselves, somberly observing. After the event, a sweet young woman approached, laid a hand on my stomach and with tears in her eyes, said, “You must be so happy to be pregnant again!” “Actually,” I told her as I hugged my baby...

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CTV Interview Tomorrow for Walk to Remember

News reporter Marni Kuhlman will be interviewing Patti Walker, regional bereavement coordinator, and I tomorrow on CTV. We will be talking about the Walk to Remember which takes place this coming Saturday at the Legislature grounds in Edmonton. In the report I will be sharing about my experience losing a child and may give a sneak peak to my speech for the Walk. Interview details: CTV – Channel 2 on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 The show runs from 12 noon till 1pm with the interview near the end of the program. Tune in if you...

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Attend the Walk to Remember and Ways to Give

Attend the Walk to Remember and Ways to Give

The Walk to Remember is less than three weeks away. Are you planning to attend? Walk to Remember is for anyone who has lost a child, at any stage of pregnancy or in early infancy. Of course friends and family are welcome. It is a time for celebration, remembrance and camaraderie. Life is busy – and while I think of my son Zachary daily, I cherish the Walk to Remember for its poignant message and sweet atmosphere. I attend the Walk to Remember to halt life’s rush and simply reflect, cry, and openly miss my beautiful boy. I encourage anyone sitting on the fence about attending, to come and remember with me. Registering for the event ensures your child’s name will be written on the sidewalk in chalk along the path of the walk and read aloud during the ceremony. You...

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