Our Loss...

My blog stats show that many of you have been checking my blog over the past several days... I'm sure looking for further details on our recent loss.  So, I will try to put some thoughts to words in our time of grief.

I had already been anticipating the post where I would be posting pictures of our new little grand-daughter with all the details of her birth. She was due on April 10. My plane ticket was booked for April 9, when I would arrive in CA to help out with the new baby or await her soon arrival.

Everything changed on March 24.

Kari, our daughter-in-law, was outside with Stella (our 2-year old grand daughter), when she tripped while carrying Stella in her arms. In an attempt to break the fall for Stella she landed on her pregnant belly. Josh rushed her to the hospital and within a half hour of the incident the doctor was performing an emergency c-section.

Less than a minute phone call in the middle of the night (Europe time) from Josh informed us of this news. We never went back to sleep awaiting the next call assuming that we would hear about the birth of a new grand daughter, in spite of the fall. We never expected to hear the words on the other end an hour later... "we lost Margot."

Margot June Jackson was stillborn at 5:46 p.m.
Weight: 7 lbs. 12 oz.
Length: 21 inches

Pictures that Josh took of Margot while he and Kari spent time with her in those first hours show a beautiful baby girl with dark hair and a button nose. So perfect. So fully formed. We only wish that we could have held her. Our hearts ache with such deep loss for Margot, and for Josh and Kari as they walk through this time of heartache.

Kari's health was critical the days following with the amount of blood loss she suffered. All is stable now except for her kidneys. We are hoping and praying that the kidneys will begin to function as they should.

The love, support, and prayers from people all over the world have been such a source of encouragement and strength for all of us.