All That Love Can Do: Search results for Jenna

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Friday, May 8, 2015

On Mother's Day

This Mother’s Day seems to be a tease. After losing my son in October, I find myself tortured by the holidays that pass. It’s one of those days that should be filled with holiday spirit, friends, and family, but the reality is it is just another day to remind me of his passing. I wish more than anything people would bring him up, or ask to see a picture, but I realize child-loss is one of those taboo topics many people don't discuss. I am not quite sure why because after losing my son, I realized it was more of a reality for people than most thought. I often find myself feeling lost in the world where moms clean up bottles, change diapers, and are running on three hours of sleep. I am lost because those roles are not a part of my everyday routine. My role as a mother now is to visit my son daily at his resting place, decorate his spot for certain holidays he celebrates in heaven, and plan events to create awareness for the fatal birth defect, Anencephaly, that took him from me. I wondered if some people would even consider me a “mom” since my son passed, but then I realized while my arms are empty, my heart is so full of the love I have for my son, and that is what being a mom is all about.

To the Mom’s whose arms are empty this Mother’s Day:

Because of you, my world changed for the better

Because of you, we became a family

Because of you, my life plans became our life plans

Because of you, I did everything for a reason

Because of you, my body changed into a beauty I never knew

Because of you, my body carried not one, but two heartbeats

Because of you, I got to look true love in the eye

Because of you, I cried tears of joy

Because of you, I held the whole entire world in my arms only to say goodbye shortly after

Because of you, I was strong when you had to leave me

Because of you, I learned the value of life is not measured in time

Because of you, I held an angel

Because of you, I am a mom

To my son:

Momma loves you so much. Happy seven months in heaven! We miss you more than you will ever know.

~ ~ ~

Jenna Gassew is from outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Rosemont College with a degree in Mathematics. She is the mother to a beautiful little boy in heaven, Shane Michael Haley. Shane was diagnosed with Anencephaly at 13 weeks gestation. Jenna and Shane’s father, Dan, decided to create a bucket-list on which they took Shane to various places such as Phillies games, New York City, and Ocean City, Maryland. Shane was born October 9, 2014 and lived for four precious hours where he spent his whole life loved. She continues to bring awareness to Anencephaly in honor of her son. More about Jenna, Dan, and Shane’s journey can be found on  their face book page, “Prayers for Shane.”

Saturday, December 5, 2015

12 DOC: Tutorial: Christmas Tree Shadow Box

*This tutorial is part of the 12 Days of Christmas series. Read more here.

Christmas Tree Shadow Box
By Jenna Gassew

What you will need: (everything was found at Michael's Craft Store)

 Mini battery operated lights
 Mini clothes pins
 A decorative piece of paper for the background ( we used a gold glitter piece)
 Glue gun
 Photos of your angel baby small enough to be ornaments on the tree ( we cut them out in circle shapes)
 Faux snow
 Christmas tree topper ( we used a star)
 Shadow box

How to get started:
Cut out all your angel baby's photos small enough to be ornaments on the tree hung by the mini clothes pins.

Take your decorative paper and outline in pencil your tree shape.

Start at the top of the tree and use the lights to zig zag following your guide in the shape of a Christmas tree ( use the glue gun to keep the lights fastened) (see figure 1)

Diagram 1

Add your extra bows on the ends or wherever else you would like.

Take your photos and clip them on the light strand.

Top off your tree by gluing the star on the paper.

You can then add faux snow to the bottom section of your shadow box.

Lastly take your decorative piece of paper that you glued the lights, bows, and photos on and cover up the shadow box ( make sure you cut a small nook to let the battery pack extend out of the frame for easy use).

Now, display it!

This craft was made in honor of my sweet boy, Shane Michael who passed away on October 9th 2014 to Anencephaly/Acrania. I didn’t get a ton of photos so I wanted a creative way to show off his photos. This was very quick and easy to make! During the holidays I find it comforting to do crafts like this to keep him incorporated in our family.

To My Sweet Shane Michael,

Another year has come and gone. Last year felt like a blur. It was only two months before that we welcomed you into this world, and quickly said goodbye. But this year feels harder. It was like I had the time to think of all the things I would be missing out on, from Santa photos, sending out Christmas cards, to seeing your eyes twinkling with every Christmas light. We wanted to start traditions; we wanted to spend time together, celebrating as a family. We wanted to watch you being handed from aunt to uncle, and being played with at grand mom and grand pops. We wanted to hold you, and kiss those rosy cheeks. All we ever wanted was you. Holidays just seem tougher because we are surrounded by everyone except you. My heart still aches, my tears still flow, and my arms are still empty. You are so missed and deeply loved sweet boy. Please watch over us our beautiful angel and know there is not one second of the day that we are not thinking of you.

Love Always,

Momma

~ ~ ~

Jenna Gassew is from outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Rosemont College with a degree in Mathematics. She is the mother to a beautiful little boy in heaven, Shane Michael Haley. Shane was diagnosed with Anencephaly at 13 weeks gestation. Jenna and Shane’s father, Dan, decided to create a bucket-list on which they took Shane to various places such as Phillies games, New York City, and Ocean City, Maryland. Shane was born October 9, 2014 and lived for four precious hours where he spent his whole life loved. She continues to bring awareness to Anencephaly in honor of her son. More about Jenna, Dan, and Shane’s journey can be found on their face book page, “Prayers for Shane.”

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

The Nightmare of Childloss

by Jenna Gassew

I lost my son October 9, 2014 just four short hours after his birth. That day was filled with mixed emotions. It’s one of those days where I experienced the absolute best and the absolute worst of all moments in my life. I never knew I could have so much hate and love for one simple date, but I do. When I think about the days leading up to delivery sweet memories come to mind. We had family over to celebrate with a cake for Shane’s 39 week mark, and had spent most of that weekend at Linvilla Orchards (our favorite pumpkin patch). We enjoyed every second we had with our little boy. Through labor and delivery I was surrounded by family and friends who were all excited for me to meet my little miracle, and when I did I can tell you he was - and always will be - perfect. His sweet eyes looked right at me and that’s when I knew it was all worth it, even the goodbye.

Those four precious hours will always be the greatest four hours of my life and I am so thankful that we were able to have him for every single second he gave us. Shane Michael Haley was born into a family who loved him and always will.

After Shane had passed I held him with me for 27 more hours making sure he was cared for and held with the utmost respect. We had family and friends meet our little boy, as well as taking many pictures. I remember I didn't want to waste any time I had holding him, so I tried staying up for most of those 27 hours and I did. I remember Dan’s uncle had stopped over and I had just sat down to take a nap holding my Shane and when he left I think I started to nap. I remember having a dream of my Shane holding him while family and friends gathered round and then in an instant someone had said to me he’s gone and then I remember being woken up by my dad and Dan telling me it’s just a dream. I woke up looked at my son in my arms and thought this is no dream he really did pass. My heart felt so cheated that it couldn't just be a nightmare and I couldn't just wake up from it. I then stayed up the rest of the time I had with Shane until I had to give him over to the funeral director, and that was a living nightmare in itself.

When I went home the next couple days people stopped over to keep us company. We finished up things for his funeral and made it through arguably the toughest days. As time moved on I had a couple friends tell me they had Shane visit them in their dreams. I loved hearing anything about Shane. I loved just being able to hear his name. I thought maybe he will visit me in my dreams soon, but he never did. All I had was that one “nightmare” in the hospital as I held his sweet little body. Until a couple days ago; I had my second dream of Shane.

I was holding him and he was still with us and he smiled. I had yelled at Dan to hurry and capture his picture and he tried but he couldn't get the picture in time. Then someone had said "he’s gone" and I woke to Dan saying,” Jenn, it’s just a dream.” I was crying, and muttered out, “This is no nightmare, this is real, we lost Shane.”

You know that moment you get after a nightmare where you catch your breath and realize it’s just a dream? Those moments where you look around and can see everything is alright? I don’t have those anymore. These past five and a half months have been anything but easy and are my own living nightmare. Some days I wish I could sit back and think it’s all just a dream but I can’t, I’m stuck in a nightmare and there is no way out.

Losing a child is a pain that I would never wish on anyone but it is also something no one can fully understand unless they went through it themselves. I wish more than anything I could hold my sweet Shane and just tell him I love him one more time. For now, I just pray for comfort and peace and that our sweet Shane continues to watch over us. I pray no one ever has to be stuck in this nightmare, and if they are I hope they know they are not alone.

~ ~ ~

Friday, April 10, 2015

An Adventure of a Lifetime

By Jenna Gassew

One thing that I believe many people can relate to is music. I love music. It has a way of bringing me back to a place or time that once was, where I can relive the past. One such song is Tim McGraw's “Live like you were dying.” I’ve always loved that song, but now it reminds me of my son, Shane Michael Haley, who passed October 9, 2014. The lyrics strike a chord in my heart and leave me in tears but I love it.

He said I was in my early 40's,
With a lot of life before me,
And a moment came that stopped me on a dime.

I spent most of the next days, lookin' at the x-rays,
Talkin' 'bout the options and talkin' 'bout sweet time.

Asked him when it sank in, that this might really be the real end.
How's it hit ya, when you get that kind of news.
Man what ya do.

And he says,
I went sky divin',
I went rocky mountain climbin',
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull name Fumanchu.

And I loved deeper,
And I spoke sweeter,
And I gave forgiveness I've been denying,
And he said someday I hope you get the chance,
To live like you were dyin'.

These lyrics never hit me so hard until April 10, 2014. That day I received news that my son, Shane Michael, had a fatal birth defect. He was diagnosed with Anencephaly and would not survive outside the womb for long. For a day or two I felt lost, angry, upset, and scared. The day before Dan and I went to the doctors, I had set up our onesies birth announcement to share with friends that we were expecting, and now I was told that my baby would not survive. Instead of buying diapers, bottles, and bibs we were now looking at planning a funeral for our only son. My heart wasn’t ready to handle saying goodbye. That day, his diagnosis day, I will never forget. My eyes were heavy with tears and I couldn’t even handle looking at a baby without thinking of losing my own. I remember getting back from the ultrasound only to have to tell Dan the news. I couldn’t even muster up the right words but I told him, “We’re going to have the baby but he won’t make it.” I don’t think Dan was prepared to hear those words because his face flashed white and his eyes looked helpless. He hugged me and we just sat and cried for about an hour. It felt as if a part of us both died that day. We wanted someone to tell us it was going to be okay but in reality we knew we were up for a long tough journey. As first time parents we were ill-prepared to handle such a diagnosis but looking back I think we did the best we could for both each other and our son.

We decided to get away for the next couple days and drove to the shore. I remember how quiet that ride was before deciding that we needed to share with the world how proud we were to be parents of this little baby, regardless of his diagnosis. We knew we wanted him or her to be treated like any other baby, but we also knew our child needed prayers. Dan posted this birth announcement,

“Jenna and I are happy to announce that we are expecting a beautiful baby in October…We recently learned our baby was diagnosed with a condition called Anencephaly and we are asking for your prayers… We are both extremely proud and thankful that God has blessed us with this baby and we trust in His plan for our lives and the life of our child…Thank you for all of your prayers and support!.” Many of our friends and family offered kind words and prayers, but didn't know that Anencephaly is a fatal birth defect.

We spent the rest of the weekend just trying to make it to the next moment, while picking each other up.

“How's it hit ya, when you get that kind of news. Man what ya do.”

It was then that those lyrics hit me harder than they did the day of his diagnosis.

In a way they kind of picked me up. If our son was going to spend most of his life inside my womb, why not take him to all the places we dreamed of going with him after he was born? Why go on mourning after the diagnosis when he was still very much alive? That’s when we decided we were going to start a journey together, as a family. We created Shane’s bucket-list and our first trip was to Rehoboth beach in Delaware. We then traveled to the Cape May County Zoo in New Jersey.

Our trips continued and, soon enough, the world began following Shane’s adventures through social media. His bucket-list adventure included trips to the shore, our favorite parks, New York City, Phillies games, Flyers games, and our favorite, Dad’s baseball games. His journey brought more awareness to Anencephaly than we could have ever imagined. His facebook page, “Prayers for Shane”, became his virtual scrapbook page for those around the world to join in welcoming one tiny little miracle.

On October 9, 2014 at 2:25 in the morning we welcomed our little miracle into the world.

He was baptized into the Catholic faith and spent his whole life surrounded by family. He fought for four long hours and I can tell you my little boy was beyond beautiful. We held him for twenty seven hours after he passed and loved him more with each passing second. I remember looking into his eyes the moment I saw him thinking, “I wish this journey would never end. I wish we had just a few more hours or days to even create some more family memories together.” I knew I could never have enough time with him but how blessed was I to have experienced a lifetime of happiness in four short hours.

As I sit here today on the sixth month anniversary of Shane's birth, I think about the lyrics from Tim McGraw's song and I am thankful that we took our son to so many places and created so many family memories together. That song will forever be the anthem to Shane’s life in my eyes. Tomorrow will be the one year anniversary of his diagnosis and to say that his diagnosis day hasn't changed my life would be a lie.

This time last year I was scared and upset, wondering how we were going to go on with our son for the following months only to be forced to say goodbye. Tomorrow I go into the day hoping to remind myself that no diagnosis can end a lifetime of love and memories created by our family and friends. I know it will be a tough day, just as it was last year, but I am proud to say that we celebrated every single second of life our son gave us.

Death is inevitable and how we chose to live our life is up to us. Instead of us teaching our son, he taught us that each day is a gift and that there is truly no foot too small that it cannot leave an imprint on this world. I am thankful for not only the four hours that our son gave us after his birth but also for the 39 weeks and four days that he spent kicking, hiccupping, and traveling with us in the womb. Though our pictures may fade, his memory will live on forever. His life was spent in the arms of those who loved him and traveling the world together as a family. He knew only love.

To my beautiful son:

Thank you for giving your Dad and I a lifetime of happiness and love for the brief time you were here on earth. Thank you for changing our lives for the better and teaching us to live every day to the fullest. We love and miss you more each day. We wish we could just kiss those sweet cheeks one more time. We love you to the moon and back.

Love Always,
Momma and Daddy

~ ~ ~

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Honoring Mothers Project: The Letters

Today is Mother’s Day. For many women, it’s a day that’s not at all how it should be. Before you read today’s letters, please take a moment to hold in your heart all the women trying to survive this day without one or more of their children.

The following letters were written to some very special loss moms, from family and friends who wanted to honor them this Mother's Day.

If you were unable to send in your letter on time, please feel free to share a note to a special loss mom in the comments below.

To all the lovely mamas who have to face this Mother's Day without one or more of her babies, we send our love to you, and honor your motherhood. You are a beautiful mother <3

To Jenna Edwards, from Mary Ellen Lewis

I would like to honor my beautiful daughter, Jenna Edwards, who is the amazing mother to Greyson Lewis Edwards. She is the strongest, most dedicated mother I know, even though her darling baby boy was gone from this world the day he was delivered. She was a Warrior Mama as she delivered Greyson on September 30, 2014, knowing she would never hear his little cries, or see his beautiful eyes, or feel his sweet breath on her chest. Jenna continues on every day, since Greyson came into her life, to honor him and remember him in very special ways. So I want to celebrate her motherhood this Mother's Day, and every day. She is Greyson's mommy and always will be <3

To Amee, from Katie Butler

Amee,

I know that every breath stings. I know that it's impossible to get up in the morning. I know, and I wish that you didn't. I felt completely betrayed by fate when it took your sweet girl. Persephonee. I felt like I had paid the price for all of us, for our family. I still rage about that -- this shouldn't be our lives, this is a mockery of what should have been. I, we, miss her every day. There's a Persephonee-shaped hole in our days. In our hearts. I know that you are the best mother possible for Persephonee. No one could have loved her and taught her as well as you and Chris did. Every time she smiled, it was your smile. Her laugh, your laugh. She embraced life in a way that was simply amazing -- all because you and Chris taught her that way. Our love for her will never end, ever. Ever. Ever. And our love for you will never, ever, ever end, either. I love you. I love that you came into our lives, and have made such an impact - by being you, by loving my brother, by bringing this amazing little girl into the world and showing me how to be a mother to my own daughter. Persephonee. Persephonee. Persephonee. She still makes an impact, whenever I say her name. In public, in private. People know about her and want to know more. Those that haven't met her feel like they have had a little glimpse into her amazing life. I'll share her story, every day that I breathe. I'll share her impact on our world, and the world at large. Again, I love you. I wish I could lessen the pain that this holiday brings. I'll be saying her name, and we'll be blowing bubbles up to Heaven for her. - Katie

To Fran Ambrose, From Kerry Ambrose

For my sister Fran Ambrose, I'm so proud of you, for staying so strong, Skye-amor is so very precious and will be in our hearts forever, an amazing girl just like her mummy x x

To Tanya Loewen-Watson, from Audrey Unger

Dearest Tanya, On this Mother's Day weekend, harder than the usual hard days, I pray for a measure of peace to fill your weary soul, your aching heart, and your empty arms. Your daily battle to mother all of your five children is admirable, fulfilling the needs of the little bodies present around you and remembering your daughters who left much too soon. Your courage to face the challenges of each new day and to speak up about your grief so that others may understand shows the incredible strength that you carry within. I see the amazing, wonderful person that you are, shining through the tears and continued grief. There are many moments and days when you do not feel brave, but to me it seems that Mothers of Loss are amongst the bravest of us all. On this Mother's Day, take some quiet moments to celebrate you and your journey of motherhood.

Love and hugs,

Audrey Unger

To Elizabeth Oliver Heenan, from Michal Estrela

Elizabeth,

I want you to know that I think you are strong. We both had a miscarriage at the same time and started this loss journey. Even through your pain you have been a cheerleader as woman after woman has her rainbow. You are a shining example of how to keep on hoping and how to share in another's joy when you aren't sure about your own. I think about Sunflower a lot. I picture him/her playing with my unnamed babies and with my Matthew, and I always see your Sunflower in a field of sunflowers. Know that you are thought of by me. You are amazing.

To Amanda Niño, from Brenda Sanchez

Amanda, you are an amazing mommy to to Korie Jade Niño.. Creating Korie's special 3rd day is a beautiful way to honor her life and memory. Just as I feel my girls' sending strength and love, I'm positive Korie is sending you the same. Look for the little things, those little miracles and blessings, that you never noticed before. Know those moments are from your beautiful baby, Korie! Much love and light!

<3 Brenda, mommy to Lily and Lucy Rose To Melissa Dyrdahl, from Christina Rucker

Melissa, where do I even start?! You are amazing. I am so proud of you. You chose to give Edison life, even though you knew his time with you was going to be short. You selflessly gave him the chanceto grow, even though each day was full of worry and pain. You chose to sing, and dance, and dream with him. You chose hope and faith, through the doubt and fear. You chose to embrace whatever time God gave you with E-man. You chose to LOVE that little boy, with all your heart, knowing full well of the heartache ahead. And although God had other plans, you are choosing to celebrate E's life, you are choosing to keep his memory alive, you are choosing to love him more and more each day, even when the pain seems unbearable.
You are forever Edison Ray's momma, and you are what this day is all about! Happy First Mother's Day, Meme!!! Celebrate through the tears! "All is well, momma!" We are so proud of you!

Love you!
~ Auntie T.

To Angela Miller, from Kris Aikens

Sweet Angela, I count you among my blessings! We met through the loss of our precious boys Noah and Cooper (who probably arranged it), two grieving moms. But as I have come to know you, I have found a friend, a confidant, someone who "gets it", but most of all one of the bravest most inspiring moms I know! You took your tragedy and turned it into a mission. Through your book, thousands of other broken hearts are being mended, and women are realizing that they are not alone on this hellish road. But I want you to know, I see you, I hear you and I know the gut wrenching, heart shredding pain that you had to wade through to birth that gift to the grieving community. All that you go through - to bravely mother Noah still... At the same time that you lift up so many. I just wanted to take this chance to tell you what an inspiration you are to me of how much love can do! Noah will never be forgotten because his incredible mom is making sure of it. Love you friend! Kris Aikens ( Cooper's mom)

To Michal Estrela fromJohn Schmoldt and Family

For Michal Estrela and her beautiful son...Matthew William ...your story is filled with a mothers love We love you...Aunt Salsa, Father John and Jen-

To YOU, from RaeAnne Fredrickson, Samuel's mama, creator of All That Love Can Do

Beautiful mama,

I know how hard today is for you. It’s so far from what it should be for you and my heart aches that your arms are not full, as they should be. I wish more than anything the world could be put right and your baby returned to you. Please, always remember, you are brave. You are beautiful. You are the best mother there is. You did everything a mother could possibly do for her baby and it’s not your fault that death is a thief. You are amazing.

Today, on this very hard day of triggers and reminders, please be extra gentle with yourself. You deserve just as much – really, more – love, respect, and admiration as every mother. You deserve to be honored and so that’s why I’m writing this to YOU. All your baby knew of this life was love. That makes you the best mother there is.

I know it’s not happy, so instead I’ll wish you LOVE, PEACE, and REST this Mother’s Day. You are a beautiful mother <3

Love and hugs,

RaeAnne

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

12 Days of Christmas: Day Nine

Welcome to Day Nine of the All That Love Can Do 12 Days of Christmas! You can read all about this online event HERE. If you'd like to catch up on all the posts from this event, you can find them HERE.

Facing the holidays without your baby, or when you know your baby's life is going to be short, is overwhelmingly hard. Please, above all else, be gentle with yourself.

If you'd like to connect with other loss families facing the holidays without their children, you can join the private group on Facebook, HERE.

We hope you find peace and healing in the days to come <3.

~ ~ ~

Day Nine: When Holidays Hurt
by Franchesca Cox

Five years without her. I don’t know how I got here, but I’m here. The grace of God. The
prayers of the people I couldn't bare to hold a conversation with for the longest time. Many late and sleepless nights. Tear stained journals. Broken bonds and new bonds born from fire and ice. Words, and words, and more words. Lots of forgiving myself. And eventually forgiving others.

While life feels strangely normal these days, I look back sometimes, and this shadow haunts me. That happened. That happened, to me. How did I ever survive? It still blows my mind. Not the me part, but the fact that burying one of my own children didn’t make my heart stop beating. The unnaturalness of it all still strangles me inside.

This time of year makes my heart ache a little more than usual. Over the years (and I now
suspect that this will continue... ) the way we have honored Jenna during Christmas time has evolved. In the beginning, I signed her name in our Christmas cards. I talked about her to anyone and everyone that would listen. I decorated her little tree.

Today some of that is the same, some has changed and we’ve added new traditions in ways that make it feel natural to include her and the whole family.

In addition to the things mentioned, we have done some of these, and some I’d still love to try.

Donate a parking pass to a family with a baby in the NICU (we have done this since our baby girl spent 13 days in the intensive care unit, and it was by far the most rewarding way to give back in her name)
Include a symbol in your Christmas cards that represent your child like a bird, butterfly, star, or even pretty stickers or a little stamp
Include your child in family photographs (jewelry, stuffed animals, visible tattoos just to name a few)
Run away. The first Christmas after she died we ditched every family engagement unapologetically and spent Christmas out of town
Decorate a small tree just for your child
Make them an ornament, or buy one for them each year
Take part in an ornament exchange for loss moms/ dads
Ask friends/ family to take part in a “random act of kindness” the month of December,and ask them to write down what they did in your child’s memory on a piece of paper. Collect them and stuff them in a stocking. On Christmas morning read each one.
Donate books to a children’s hospital, maybe even the room where grieving parents are holding their babies for the last time. You might even be able to get some of your friends/ family in on this by donating books themselves.
Write your baby a letter. It will most likely involve lots of tears, but something about the written word, it evokes things that need to come out and often things you try to bury

Above all else, listen to your body, mind and heart. Don’t feel like you need to do XYZ to
honor your child. Remember that THIS is for you. All this, as much as it stings, is for you and your heart. If you feel that something here is taking you to a dark place, maybe take a step back. Rewind. Listen.

It’s okay to do absolutely nothing but take care of your own heart right now. It is no doubt in the most fragile state, as the world around you is screaming “Joy to the World” and words like “Merry”, “Bright” and “the most wonderful time of the year”.

Take heart, mama.

~ ~ ~

Franchesca Cox is a barefoot, hippie-at-heart, natural-living, yoga-loving mama. Just another artsy free spirit, wandering the path to peace and healing in south Texas. Founder of Still Standing Magazine in 2012. Keeper of words at wildfeathersvintage.com.

You can read about the loss of her daughter, Jenna, on Small Bird Studios.

Sunday, December 13, 2015

The 2015 Twelve Days of Christmas

The 2015 Twelve Days of Christmas have come to an end. We hope you've found comfort from reading the stories of other families, reassurance in knowing you're not alone, tips for facing this holiday season, and ideas for honoring your child.

Most of all, we hope you know that what you do this year is completely up to you. No one but you gets to decide what's the "right" way to have Christmas/the holidays. Follow your heart and do what you need.

Our heartfelt thanks to the writers for sharing,

and to the organizations who helped provide
special things for our giveaways.

In case you missed any of the 12 Days, here is the entire collection in one place