Lillian Ruth Stanfield was born into heaven on July 16th, 2016, when I was 35 weeks pregnant. In one utterly heartbreaking moment, my life was changed forever. I now belong to a group of parents that nobody wants to be apart of. Bereaved parents. Stillbirth parents. Parents of angels (though I first became the parent of an angel some years ago, after my first miscarriage). I would love to see a great advance in stillbirth research, namely in preventing cord accidents and more reliable ways of knowing when babies are in distress. 

 

I am participating in Let's Not Be Still!, in honor of my daughter Lillian. Though I never got to see her take a breath, she has changed my life completely. I do not want her to be forgotten, because she was such a light in my life. The honor of loving my Lillian far outweighs the agony of losing her. I am so grateful  to be participating in the 4th Annual Let's Not Be Still! Pregnancy & Infant Loss Run/Walk, even if it is virtually.  Money raised from this event will be used to increase awareness, support research, promote education, and encourage advocacy and family support regarding stillbirth. I pray for a day when no parent has to experience the loss of a child, and supporting stillbirth research is one small step in the right direction! Please consider donating to this cause, in honor of Sweet Lillian.

 

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Lillian is survived by her parents, Mark and Anna, and her big brother, John (Jack). She is joined in heaven by 4 of her siblings, and surrounded by all the family who left earth before her.