On Saturday, Jennifer & Mark Knepper lost their 16 month old daughter after a lifelong battle in the hospital. Jen's blog, Maybe If You Just Relax was quite possibly the first infertility blog I began reading years ago. At least some part of the existence of this blog is due to reading hers, although I lack the wit and humor that she graciously shares with anyone who happens upon her little corner of the internet. I remember the successful pregnancy test after IVF from their first daughter Olivia, following her birth and beyond to the frozen transfer that resulted in the twin pregnancy of Ainsley and Evelyn. Evelyn tragically died at birth, and Ainsley fought a long, hard battle in the hospital for the past 16 months. Ainsley Knepper passed away this weekend; the day before Mother's Day. I cried when I read the news Sunday afternoon. I cannot fathom what Jen and Mark have been through since the day Ainsley and Evelyn were born, nor can I wrap my head around what they are going through now. You can bet that I've hugged my own little ones a bit longer; a bit tighter and lingered at their cribs a bit later at bedtime in the past few days.
Tonight, from 5-8pm the Knepper family is having a memorial service for Ainsley. During that time, a large number of people will be blowing bubbles to show Ainsley and Evelyn how many people care about them and have been touched by them during their short presence on earth. Sam, Anna and I headed outdoors after getting home from daycare to remember another very special set of twins, together again in heaven.
No one should have to lose a child. Losing two in less than two years is unimaginable. Hug your loved ones and remember that life is fragile and tomorrow is never a guarantee.
From the facebook group: If you want to read more about the Knepper family, you can find their blog here: www.jennepper.com. If you want to do something else to help them, there are many things in the works. Please email knepperfamilydonations@gma |
4 comments:
Oh how heartbreaking. I just cannot fathom.
The minute I read her update I sccooped my daughter right up and helpd her so tight. I feel so incredibly sad for them.
Thank you for posting this.
I'm also a reader of Jenn's blog. I couldn't believe my eyes when that post showed up in my blogfeed. I'm heartbroken for her and her family.
So very heartbreaking. I just can't imagine. Like you, Jen's blog was the first infertility blog I started reading several years ago. She's shared so much with us over the years, it's almost as though I know her. My heart goes out to their family. Ainsley was such an adorable, happy little girl.
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