Welcome

Hello and welcome to the new blog site for Share of Northeast Louisiana. Share is a support group for parents who have suffered the heartbreaking loss of a baby due to miscarriage, stillbirth, newborn death or during the first few months of life. We are a chapter of National Share that has been supporting families for over thirty years.My name is Colleen Howard. I started the local chapter of this wonderful organization in 2002. Since then several parents and a grandparent who attend the meetings helped make it possible for our small group to grow and do things I never dreamed possible. We held our first Annual Walk for Remembrance and Hope in 2007. Although small, it turned out to be a day that is etched into our hearts forever. In the same year we became incorporated and aquired non-profit status. In doing so, it opened doors for our group to fulfill even more goals. Share of Northeast Louisiana holds meetings at least once a month. Parents, grandparents and other family members or friends (excluding children) are welcomed by other bereaved parents. Here we are able to share our grief and find a support system so that parents can deal with their loss. I know firsthand and from working with others that it makes a profound difference when hearts open and heal with the help of those who truly understand. Our group also provides grief packets to area hospitals, women's clinics and funeral homes so that bereaved parents are immediately made aware of our support group. We never want a parent to need support and not know where to turn. If you or someone you know has lost a baby and would like to talk to one of our members or attend our meetings, please email me at ColleenH38@aol.com. Our meetings are held on the second Monday of each month but we are available at other times as well. Colleen

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Angel of Hope














Only a parent who has lost a child can know the pain and grief. Only a parent who has lost a child can truely console another grieving parent. It is the hardest journey in life one will ever take. Whether you are grieving the death of a stillborn or a 50 year old, life has changed forever and your heart will never stop thinking of your precious child.

The Christmas Box Angel of Hope is a beautiful monument for parents to go to who have lost a child of any age, for any reason. She is a symbol of hope for those who struggle to continue life after the death of a child.

On December 6 each year, parents and loved ones gather at the many Angel of Hope statues located across the country for a candlelight vigil and memorial service. My daughters and some of the members of my Share support group attended this service in Pineville, LA. The angel was beautiful and being in her presence was unforgettable. Lighting candles and laying beautiful long stemmed white roses around the angel symbolized the love for our children as we joined together on this very special night.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Share Pancake Breakfast


Share of Northeast Louisiana is hosting an all you can eat pancake breakfast at Applebees in Monroe, LA on October 17 from 8-10am. Tickets are $5.00 each and can be purchased in advance or at the door. To go orders are welcome.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

3rd Annual Share Walk for Remembrance and Hope set for October 10th.

Share of Northeast Louisiana Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support is gearing up for our Third Annual Walk for Remembrance and Hope 2009. Sign in and registration will begin at the bandstand in Forsyth Park in Monroe, LA at 8AM on October 10, 2009. The event begins at 9AM and includes heartfelt memorial program, balloon release and finally our Walk along the Ouachita River. We welcome anyone whose life has been touched by the heartbreaking death of a baby due to miscarriage, stillbirth, newborn death or during the first few months of life.

If you have any questions or need more information, please email
ColleenH38@aol.com.


We would like to thank our generous sponsors who make this event possible.







THE CHILDREN'S COALITION OF NORTHEAST LOUISIANA


THE FEED LOT


JOHNSTON TOOL & RENTAL


TWIN OAKS NURSERY


JAMESON INN - WEST MONROE, LA
PEPSI


Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Share of NELA donates third headstone



Share of Northeast Louisiana is honored to donate our third headstone for a baby. Victoria Fain was the stillborn daughter of Jason and Andrea Fain.
With the continued support of our friends, family and community, Share will continue to donate two headstones each year for babies buried in Northeast Louisiana.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Share of NELA donates second headstone



The members of Share of Northeast Louisiana, Inc. are proud and honored to give our second headstone for a baby. Dustin Neal Reeves was born on May 24, 1990 and passed away May 26, 1990.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY TRISTEN!


Today would have been Tristen's 4th birthday. His mother Amie joined our Share group shortly after his death. She moved to Mississippi last year to be closer to her family and is unable to come back today. There was no way we would let this day pass without acknowledging and remembering Tristen. Since Amie could not be here, I took 4 birthday balloons and blue roses to his grave.
Amie, your friends from Share want you to know that we miss you very much and are thinking of you today.
Happy Birthday sweet Tristen!
Love,
Colleen, Nikki, Andrea, Angela, Ashley and all the members of Share of Northeast Louisiana!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Please Be Gentle

This morning while reading a blog about a couple who lost their ten week old son to SIDS, I came across this poem and wanted to share it with others.


Please Be Gentle
By Jill B. Englar

Please be gentle with me for I am grieving.
The sea I swim in is a lonely one and the shore seems miles away.
Waves of despair numb my soul as I struggle through each day.
My heart is heavy with sorrow.
I want to shout and scream and repeatedly ask 'why?'
At times, my grief overwhelms me and I weep bitterly,so great is my loss.
Please don’t turn away or tell me to move on with my life.
I must embrace my pain before I can begin to heal.
Companion me through tears and sit with me in loving silence.
Honor where I am in my journey,not where you think I should be.
Listen patiently to my story,I may need to tell it over and over again.
It’s how I begin to grasp the enormity of my loss.
Nurture me through the weeks and months ahead.
Forgive me when I seem distant and inconsolable.
A small flame still burns within my heart,and shared memories may trigger both laughter and tears.
I need your support and understanding.
There is no right or wrong way to grieve.
I must find my own path.
Please, will you walk beside me?