Emma’s Footprints

I have had the honor of being at a fundraising event for this beautiful organization about a year back. Their mission is one of complete love for another. It is an organization, like so many, that was born out of the hurt and grief of personal loss. 

Tracey was 8 months pregnant when her unborn daughter’s heart stopped beating. Through the life of Emma Tracey now serves others with emotional, financial and many other services families in this situation need.

This is a hard one for me. I have had family members and friends that have lost children at varying stages of the pregnancy process and even soon after birth. Dean and I lost a child very early in pregnancy. We chose not to tell anyone. We had not even told anyone we were expecting, so this was easy. Yet, even though we knew she was here she for a brief time she is everlasting.

I once went to sit with a woman that had lost her child shortly after birth. When the child was born the doctors said that they were not hopeful. She took her daughter home and she died a day later. When I went to the house I found her cradling the body of her daughter and rocking her. I remember not knowing if I should sit or stand. I remember wondering if I should ask if she needed help with anything or just sit and listen. The funeral for this little girl was heart wrenching. The mother’s hurt, grief, shame and guilt over the loss of her little one palpable. The life that was in the little body, even in its brevity, having an incredible impact on the lives that she touched. I know that in situations like this there are a lot of people that have no idea how to help the one that is hurting and this is where Emma’s Footprints is an invaluable concept and service.

Tracey and her family are completely incredible in what they do. It is even more incredible that they have handled healed their own grief in such a way as to help others through the process.

Tracey shared a beautiful story that I will encourage you to check out for yourself. In summary, one of the families she was able to bless with services recently welcomed a little girl into the world. This little girl was named after Emma who through her life and how her family remembers her was able to give another family so much support. I love that she shared this story. I love that the story carries the reality that our loved ones are always with us. Love never dies and love can be spread and it can grow even in the face of the frailty and trials of the human condition.   It also reminds me that every life has the ability to teach us something, to allow us to grow, to allow us to share love. 

Emma’s Footprints Facebook Page is on the below link where you can read Tracey’s own words
https://www.facebook.com/EmmasFootprints

Emma’s Web page is here:
http://www.emmasfootprints.com/