HONORING A BEAUTIFUL LIFE

It took my sister and her husband over 3 years to conceive Diego. I can still remember the day they announced their second pregnancy. We were all so anxious to meet Diego. We had planned an intimate baby shower for my sister to be had on February 3rd, 2007. We were all getting ready for his arrival. My sister was 8 months pregnant. Then, on February 2nd, I got an early morning call my from eldest sister letting me know that Erika had gone to the hospital because she hadn't felt Diego move in a few hours. I specifically remember my heart starting to pound really fast and really loud but I felt in my heart that everything was fine so I still went to work knowing that I'd get the good news that Diego was soon on his way. Besides, my sister Emma was going to be there with her and Erika's husband, Hector.

It was about 8:30am when I got the 2nd call from my sister. I answered and I remember her getting choked up. I asked if everything was okay and she responded with the words, "there is no baby Diego." I didn't understand what she meant at first. She told me that the doctor was unable to find Diego's heartbeat. They gave her the choice of getting induced that day or carrying him until full term. She decided to get induced.

I remember crying at work and telling my co-workers that my sister had just lost her baby. I remember leaving the office and driving to my parents house in an absolute daze. When I arrived, I found my mom and my sister Emma sitting in the kitchen and we all started crying together. I drove my mom and I to the hospital right away. When we arrived to the Labor and Delivery area, I asked the nurse behind the counter where I could find Erika. She then proceeded to ask me," has she given birth yet?" I didn't know how to answer that. I started crying and answered that my sister had just lost her baby. She apologized and showed us the way. I can still clearly remember walking into the hospital room and finding my sister and brother-in-law in there. I hugged my sister tight and told her how sorry I was. The rest of the day went by in such a flash. When it was time for my sister to deliver Diego, I took my mom to another room, knowing that we wouldn't be able to stand being in that room seeing my sister in such pain. It was short delivery. When we walked back in, I remember my sister holding Diego in her arms, crying such tears of pain. We all held him and when it was my turn, I remember kissing his cheek and telling him that I loved him. He was so tiny and so perfect. When it was time for the nurse to take him away, I remember crying with so much disbelief and so much agony. That was one of the hardest days of my life...for all of us.

Diego will forever and always be a part of our lives and we will never, ever forget him. He brought us so much happiness in the short amount of time that he was with us (in my sister's belly). I truly believe that he sent us his brother Adam, hoping that he would bring joy back into our lives.

I never knew about stillbirth until Diego. Erika and Hector wanted to do something to honor him in a special way so we all participated in the March of Dimes walk last year. This year, we're doing it again for him. It falls on my husband's birthday and we can't think of a better way to start the day. This year, Erika and Hector made a smaller goal for themselves. If you'd like to help them reach that goal, you can make a tax-deductible donation on their page. Any amount of money will make a difference for this great cause. I thank you in advance for helping us honor his life.

We love you and miss you so much Diego.