Chasse, Arielle

May 2002 – June 2002

Arielle’s Story

In September of 2001, right after the 9/11 disaster, I found out I was pregnant with my daughter Arielle. Several months later, my best friend found out she was also pregnant with her first baby. We were so excited since we had grown up sharing dreams of our kids growing up together.

She had a problem pregnancy and was hospitalized in May. That first week of May 2002 she delivered her little boy, 3 months early. He was 1 1/2 pounds and had to stay in the NICU until his due date in August.

Later that May, I delivered my little girl, 6 weeks early, after having experienced a perfectly smooth pregnancy.

Arielle was healthy, although I was ill and stayed in the hospital for 5 days. Our daughter came home with me, and began learning, crawling across daddy’s chest, and even grabbing onto her car seat!

My best friend’s little boy was still in critical condition. The size of a tiny doll, Tyler was allowed to feel his mommy’s skin only during their kangaroo care sessions.

Meanwhile, my hubby and I rocked and fed our baby girl at home as we watched TV and went for walks with her.

In June I woke up to a baby who was cold and gray. She had passed in her sleep without a warning, my breast milk still curdled in her tiny mouth.

My best friend’s son gradually improved and two months later was sent home to his mommy’s arms.

Tyler turned one last May. He is talking up a storm and toddling all through his home now. His mommy and I brought him to the zoo last summer- alone. My arms were empty.

Looking at Tyler makes me happy for him, but never forgetting the absent angel who I can only hold in my dreams.