Thank You

Over the past 4.5 months, our dining room table has been covered with flowers and cards from friends, family, and even people we have never met before. I recently took down the last of the cards and cleared off our table. I stuck all the cards in a pile, and became overwhelmed as I thought about just how many thank you cards I have to write.

I then realized that there are so many people who have helped us, and continue to help us through this time, that I would definitely miss people. I also feel that there is not enough space on little thank you cards to express how truly grateful we are.

We want to publicly thank everyone.

• The people who have cried with and for us
• The ones who have prayed for us.
•  Sent us cards, flowers, gift cards, etc. On days when we just don't have the energy to cook, we continue to use gift cards. 
• Every who made meals for us.
• Those who have stopped by to clean our house when we simply didn't have the energy.
• The ones who continue to call and text unexpectedly to say they are thinking of and praying for us.
• Everyone who continues to remember Brooklyn or send me pictures of things that remind them of her.
•  People who aren't afraid to say her name or ask us about her.
•  Everyone who came to her burial and/or memorial and helped to show us just how big of an impact her short little life had.
• Those who have shared their own grief journeys with us, helping us to know we are not alone. 
• My father-in-law who sent us on the trip of a lifetime, which provided us with so much healing and rejuvenation for our marriage. 
• Our immediate families who have walked with us every step of the way
• Our close friends who spent countless late nights at our place when we just weren't ready to be alone in our house yet.
• Everyone who donated to the McMaster NICU in memory of Brooklyn. It's nice to know lots of babies and families will be helped in her memory.
•  My mum, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law who were present during Brooklyn's birth. It was so special to have them be a part of that experience. 
• The people who have supported us through some tough decisions we have made in the last 4 months. 
•  Everyone who goes to visit Brooklyn in her special place. Seeing the flowers and stuffed animals left there makes it just a bit easier to visit our daughter in a cemetery. 
• The people who came to visit us in the hospital and held our baby girl. Knowing others have memories of her too means everything to us. 
• The anonymous group of people who raised funds to completely cover the expenses of her burial and memorial cost. We are forever grateful that money was not a concern or added stress during that time. 
• My midwife Elise who continues to keep in touch and provide us with support. 
• Our church family who continues to be nothing but supportive. I honestly don't know how people go through tragedy like this without having faith.
• Close friends who have bought us and painted pictures, given us books, and bought me jewlery. It is so nice to have visual reminders of our sweet girl all around our house.
• The hospital staff at McMaster Children's Hospital - Lesley, Cindy, and Dr. Mary Coll-Black. I honestly cannot say enough nice things about the nurses and OB's I had. They helped to make a really terrible time better, helped provide dignity to our daughter, and helped to make us feel empowered in the many hard decisions we had to make. These women were a great example of what all health care practicioners should be like. 
• The people who have made hard times like Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, just a little bit easier.

I know that we are probably forgetting countless people. But please know that we are truly grateful for every single card we received, and every single person who has helped us get to where we are today. We continue to feel so overwhelmed by the support and love that people have shown us in our darkest time. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you - from the bottom of our hearts. 

All our love,

Derek, Fiona, Brooklyn, and Samson.