Our Shining Star - Lauren

weerock - 05:17am Dec 2, 2008 EST
Mom to Leighton (30 weeks), Emerson (33 weeks), and an angel, Phillip (25 weeks)

“We'll never know the reaches of [Akeelah’s] life. My husband and I are forever changed for the better because she was in our lives…,” said Lauren when asked how her daughter has impacted her life.

I am proud to announce Lauren (Akeelah’s Mommy), author of, Our Blueberry , as this month’s Shining Star. Lauren is not only recognized for the beautiful things she says, but because of the heartfelt things that she continues to do for families worldwide, and, especially, on the small island of Maui, Hawaii.

The expression “actions speak louder than words” is an exact fit for Lauren. After her only child’s passing on June 27, 2008, Lauren immediately took action. “I often wish I could be the only person on the planet that has watched their child pass right before their eyes. Knowing that I cannot, I am driven to do anything I can to reduce the numbers. I want this club to be a very, very small one…I'm driven to be sure each OB has information that they can provide to expecting mommies, and [I want to ensure that] expecting mommies can easily access information on pre-term labor and understand the implications of pre-maturity,” she said.

“After Akeelah passed away I was so scared. I thought that was it. That was my daughter's life and that's all I will ever have. I was wrong. Little did I know that our little angels live forever through us and our actions. Akeelah shared air on this earth for just shy of three hours, and yet her ripple is felt every day,” Lauren explained.

Lauren pays tribute to her daughter’s short life by raising awareness about pre-maturity and by comforting parents who experience infant loss. In five months, Lauren has done what many will do in a decade. For starters, she made twenty blankets for Maui Memorial and Molokai General Hospital for parents to hold their angels in; additional blankets were given to neighboring islands. In addition, a website was created as a resource for parents in Hawaii: http://ourcherryblossoms.blogspot.com.

Lauren also distributed pre-term labor warning signs to each OB on Maui. Her work does not stop there. Lauren organized a teddy bear drive for parents of miscarriage. She chaired the Wave of Light Ceremony for the Maui Division of MOD.

In upcoming months, Lauren will coordinate the Keiki Fashion Show for Maui Preemies and assist in bringing MOD initiatives to local Hawaiians. She is also the coordinator Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (Hawaii); this service provides professional photographers to parents of angels. Lauren also provides endless words of hope and encouragement to members and newcomers to Share.

For many parents who lose a child, life comes to a standstill. Lauren explained how she deals with her immense loss and newfound purpose in life. “Every day we have a choice. We can choose to be angry and withdrawn, or we can smile and look towards the sunshine. There have been and will be plenty of days when I am angry and withdrawn, but Akeelah inspires me to walk towards sunshine. We know she was not put in our lives to ruin it. She was put in our lives to bring us joy. It's my job to make choices to honor her by walking towards that sunshine.”

Members of Share have found great inspiration in Lauren’s honesty and introspection. She poignantly explains emotions felt by a grieving parent by providing anecdotes, short stories and personal accounts. Lauren beautifully pays tribute to her daughter in thought, word and most importantly, in action. “I've learned what love at first sight.. or [what love at first kick is]. It's been beautiful to know and feel the love between a mommy and a child. I've also learned to ask for help and that nothing is worth more than this day and this moment,” she said.

Lauren continues to be a ray of hope for parents everywhere. There is no doubt that her tiny angels’s ripple extends far beyond the shores of Maui.