Why I support Mason's Cause.

I write about Mason's Cause on my Facebook account quite often. It's a non profit organization that's grown quite close to my heart, even though I have never experienced the loss of a baby.

I met Kari earlier this year - after Facebook deleted her account for having pictures of her nursing her son. Of course, being a lactivist (breastfeeding advocate) it just infuriated me, and I joined the group to get her Facebook back and eventually added her as a friend, when FB reactivated her account.

I started cloth diapering and went to her for advice on how to start, and we talked on chat a few times, etc. Our sons were the same age (literally, 6 days apart).

In March of 2011, Kari posted a status that will forever haunt me - that she found her son, in his bed, cold, unresponsive, and for everyone to please pray for a miracle. I stayed up until she finalized the news - that Mason had grown wings. I remember holding my son in his sleep, and thanking God for my son - but yet, grieving for the loss of her son. I checked her Facebook repeatedly over the next several days, I just wanted to see HOW she was doing. How is it, that this woman, and this family that I've never known impacted my life in such a way? I'm not sure, but I know that I'm not the only one who has been impacted by Mason's life.

My daughter and I released balloons on the day of Mason's services. We burned a candle all day - a candle that STILL remains on my mantle, and hasn't been burned since.

Since this, I've learned more about infant loss. I've learned that approx. 78 infants die a day in the US. I've learned that many families are financially unable to pay for services for their babies. I've learned how much it truly COSTS for the services and learned that sadly, too many parents CANNOT pay for them.

Kari started a non profit organization called Mason's Cause. It's a multipurpose site - to help provide emotional support for grieving parents, grandparents, friends, aunts/uncles, brothers/sisters etc. when they lose an infant. It's also to provide financial assistance to those who are unable to pay for the funeral services.

I finally met Kari last night and I wish I'd met her (in person) sooner. She's incredibly sweet, and so are the people that surround her. I had a great time (even if I couldn't do much, and I couldn't stay as long as I wanted) helping at the car wash. My daughter had a blast with her husband and the kids who were there. I feel blessed to have been able to take part in this.

So, when I spam your Facebook wall with information about Mason's Cause.. or if I ask you to "like" it and share it - please, please, PLEASE take the time to do this. I know that you may not have lost a child and you might not really know what to say to those who have - but just sharing the site with others could really impact the life of someone you might not even know yet.

I'll step off my soap box - I just figured I'd introduce my new blog with something that is really important, and introduce a few of you to something that means a lot to me. Thanks for reading. :)