Liam

What started out as a normal Sunday of me getting up, getting ready for work, peeking in on my sleeping babies, Liam then 3 and Cate then 17 months, before slipping out the door to go to work as an ICU RN, ended in the most excruciating way.

While I was at work I received a call that one of my babies was next door at the local children's hospital after an incident that occurred in my home. When I got there my son, Liam, was in the trauma bay receiving CPR. He didn't make it.

While I was at work the person I trusted to watch my children left them unattended for 3 hours while he went to sleep. While I was at work taking care of others my babies were left on their own to take care of themselves. While I was at work saving lives my own son was losing his.

I was in shock. I didn't know what to do or where to turn. Nothing in my years as a nurse at a level one trauma center could prepare me to handle a trauma like this in my own life.

When Shannon reached out to me she knew the right things to say and do because she too had experienced an unimaginable trauma. She gave me helpful advice and tips on how to just survive the everyday. Shannon also gave me a Liam Bear (a stuffed bear that contains an urn) making me the first recipient of an Acts For Adalyn. At the time Acts for Adalyn was just a dream of her's in the making, creating a legacy in Adalyn's name to help others in their greatest time of need. What it has since turned into is so much more.

I sleep with the Liam Bear every night. It brings me comfort and makes me feel closer to my son who I miss more than words every minute of everyday. I am so thankful for Acts for Adalyn and the mission Adalyn has inspired.