In 2006, we learned that we were pregnant with our second child. At 20 weeks, we were told that our unborn son had a genetic defect known as Trisomy 13, which can be fatal. As you can probably imagine, this news was devastating. The doctors did not expect me to carry full term, but our little one was a fighter. After many sleepless nights and painstaking decisions, we had our son, Julian, at 38 weeks. Frank and I were blessed to have and hold him for a little over an hour before the Lord called Julian home.
During the weeks preceding Julian’s birth, we tried to plan ahead for his funeral arrangements, however we found it to be extremely difficult. When the time came to finalize the arrangements we were shocked by the costs. We had to purchase a cemetery plot, a grave marker and pay the funeral home for their services (most of which they discounted). Without financial assistance from our friends and family, I honestly do not know how we would have laid our son to rest.
This got me wondering. How do other parents do it? We had time to prepare for Julian’s death, but not everyone does. How do families do it when a death is unexpected or when there are no friends and family members to offer assistance? That is when we came up with the plan to start a non-profit organization, aimed at assisting families who lose a child under 12 months old.
I cannot begin to tell you how comforted Frank and I were, knowing that Julian had a proper funeral and knowing that we could visit his grave any time we wanted to. And having been through the questions, disbelief, pain and sorrow, Frank and I wanted to be able to give some peace and comfort to other parents in a similar situation. To lose a child during your life can be like losing a piece of your soul.
If, through this organization, we can help to relieve some of the stress a family feels in planning a funeral for their child, then we know Julian’s life, though short, had a purpose. This is why we’ve decided to call this organization Julian’s Gift.
Thank you,
Holly L. Henderson, President / Director Julian’s Gift Inc.,
a Michigan non-profit “Giving Comfort and Peace”
