In this blog, Tennille shares with Sands how she found she had some Christmas spirit as she searched for decorations in memory of precious Oscar including an intriguing story around the stocking that she decorated for him.
Christmas was always
my favourite time of the year. Our baby was due Boxing Day, so I had laughed
with people when they said they would come and visit me in hospital on
Christmas Day. Yet, at 33 weeks, just 6 weeks before Christmas, Oscar was
stillborn and none of that mattered anymore.
That first Christmas
was hard, probably the most taxing physically as I spent a lot of time crying but I am so glad I marked the
occasion, I gave my son a place in that Christmas and in doing so have created
his own Christmas memories. This is probably easier to say now, four years down
the track because that first Christmas didn’t feel like a celebration but I was
carving out a memory for my son. At first, I couldn’t even comprehend how I would
mark Christmas. The word 'celebrate' seemed wrong, exchanging presents didn’t
interest me and I just didn’t understand how I could be happy when I had just
lost my baby. Yet there must have still been some Christmas spirit inside me as
began searching Christmas decorations on the internet. And boy did I order...
** Baubles with Oscars name on them
** Sentimental figurines (elephants were
symbolic for Oscar)
** Hanging picture frames where I placed
pictures of his ultrasound photos, hand and foot prints etc.
** Balloons, we chose beautiful balloon
centrepieces for the table, honouring the balloons we had released at Oscars
service just 6 weeks before.
** I made him a small stocking to hang by
the tree
** We still opened the gifts we had
bought for Oscar

Tennille
If you require support after reading this blog please contact
Tennille Welsh
Tennille Welsh is a mother to three beautiful boys. Mark (her husband) and Tennille eperiencesd the stillbirth of their first son Oscar, at 33 weeks gestation in 2011, cause unknown. Tennille lives on a hobby farm with her family and enjoys horse riding, swimming and playing with her children.
Tennille is a teacher, specialising in Japanese, Indonesian and is also a teacher of the Deaf. Since having Oscar Tennille has also become a civil celebrant. She has officiated at several weddings and is considering turning her hand at funerals. Tennille feels giving families the gift of a personalised, and heartfelt farewell, especially for a child is so important and can have a huge impact on the grieving process. Before having Oscar, stillbirth was something Tennille knew nothing about and raising awareness by openly discussing all three of her children has been a passion for her.
No comments:
Post a Comment