For those who experience it, becoming a new parent is the most exciting thing that could ever happen.
The miracle of new life is simply amazing.
But for many, bringing a child into this world is not simple or easy. Thousands of couples have been grieved by the terrible tragedy of a miscarriage or stillborn baby.
These tragedies happen so often that there is now a name for a newborn baby who arrives after the parents have experienced a loss. They’re called “rainbow babies.”
We all know that the beautiful sight of a rainbow comes only after it has rained. Similarly, the term “rainbow baby” reflects the joy of having a child after the saddening experience of a miscarriage.
And although miscarriages are a topic often unspoken of, this beautiful phrase is helping more and more parents open up about their experiences.
Courtney Mixon is one of the many mothers who has experienced the loss of a baby. Like many, she had not talked to many people about her experience – that is, until she took a trip to her local Hobby Lobby.
Courtney was walking the aisles of the store when she spotted a woman wearing a shirt that stopped her in her tracks. The shirt had a rainbow heart on the belly, and read “You’re looking at a rainbow.”
Courtney was familiar with the term, so she immediately knew what it meant for the stranger in the shirt. The woman wearing it was Autumn Safley, a pregnant mother who had experienced a loss of her own.
Courtney just had to say something to her. She wrote on Facebook:
“As she passed me I had to speak up. I said ‘I love your shirt!’ She replied that her husband was hesitant for her to wear it (because people wouldn’t know what it meant).
I then told her it’s so taboo to talk about miscarriages and I was proud of her for wearing it. I told her my story and she told me hers. We hugged and said we would keep each other in our prayers! Me for her baby’s continuing good health, and her for me to conceive.”
What a beautiful connection between two complete strangers! Speaking of her new friend Autumn, Courtney also said:
“She’s such a beautiful woman and mommy!!! A complete stranger… Thank you Autumn for making me and my husband’s day! Please share this so maybe she can see how much she touched our hearts…”
Isn’t it amazing to see how one simple decision (wearing a t-shirt) can touch somebody’s life? And a complete stranger at that!
Please share this beautiful encounter to inspire and encourage others!