Liberty Original: Nolen

After joining Josh and Rebecca Chandler (read about their story) in the Atlanta Walk to Remember, the idea for this tribute came to life. Nolen’s ribbon closely resembles the ribbon used to bring awareness to pregnancy and infant loss. Pregnancy and infant loss is often brushed under the rug… parents are not given the time or support they earnestly need to grieve.

This cozy will be added to my etsy shop today!! It is the awareness ribbon appliquéd to lavender suede with sherpa backing. When I look at it, I smile and find peace in knowing that there are tiny angels in heaven watching over their mommies, daddies, sisters, brothers, grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles. All proceeds from this cozy will be donated in Nolen’s memory to Nolen’s Fighters Team for the annual Atlanta PKD Walk on November 13, 2010.
If you would like to donate to the PKD walk, you can click on the above “Nolen’s Fighters” link and follow the directions. Please contact me at LibertyOriginal@comcast.net if you would like to order an awareness ribbon appliqué with a name on a cozy, bag, or shirt. Again, all proceeds will benefit Nolen’s Fighters!

It has been almost 2 months since little Nolen Bradford Chandler made his entrance into this world. He was welcomed by the strongest, most loving arms a child could ever desire. (Being a parent myself, I don't make this statement lightly.) For a reason we may never know, God gave Nolen his wings just one short week after he was born. His little body was not strong enough to overcome ARPKD (Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease) or PKD for short. I have traveled this rocky journey (sometimes from afar) with my dear friends, Josh, Rebecca, Caleblee, and Havanna.

I dare not even try to understand the emptiness in their hearts, the ache in their arms where sweet Nolen should be sleeping, or their broken dreams. He wasn't even my baby, but not a day goes by that I don't think of him.... his little hands and fingers, his dark hair, his sweet lips... and I scream in my head, "It's NOT FAIR!!" No parent should ever have to bury a child.

I will never forget the look on Josh's face as he carried his baby's casket down the ramp from the funeral home to the hurse. He looked back at Rebecca with tears streaming down his face, so vulnerable, so helpless, with an anguish in his eyes that pleaded to heaven, "Why didn't you take me instead?". At times, this memory wakes me from my sleep with a start.... and I take a moment to truly thank God for my healthy children.

Today, I write this in celebration of Nolen's life and to remember with happiness. To read more about Josh and Rebecca's story, please read their online journal. Beverly Williams of Chuck Williams Photography arranged a beautiful slideshow of Nolen's birth and graciously captured all of these beautiful memories.

The PKD Foundation is sponsoring a walk in Atlanta on November 13, 2010 to raise money for further research and to prevent any other parent from experiencing the nightmare that Josh and Rebecca have lived. To learn more about walking in memory of Nolen or supporting Nolen's team, please contact jbcbec199@yahoo.com.