For Andrea Clarizio, the week of her daughter Gabriella’s due date carried the weight of all that should have been.

But in the midst of her own grief, Andrea chose to honor Gabriella by bringing hope to other mothers walking the painful road of pregnancy and infant loss.

After attending Bridget’s Cradles’ Hope Online support group and reading Cradled in Hope, Andrea began thinking about a special way to remember Gabriella as her due date approached. The book had brought her comfort in her own grief, particularly through its message of the hope of Heaven and the assurance that babies who leave this earth too soon are safe with Jesus.

“When my daughter, Gabriella Marie, passed away at 24 weeks, my whole world shattered around me. I felt like a piece of me was now gone, and I felt so alone, questioning why God didn’t answer our prayer and save our baby girl’s life. Upon leaving the hospital, our wonderful nurse gave my husband and me a stack of books about navigating grief. I was instantly drawn to Cradled in Hope and started reading right away. Reading Ashley’s words felt like a friend sitting with me, already knowing everything I was feeling and completely empathizing with my pain and heartache. Each chapter brought more peace to my broken heart.

The book shares the comforting hope that although our sweet babies are no longer here on earth, they are not lost. We know exactly where they are, safe in heaven with Jesus. And because of Him, we get to be with our babies for all of eternity. Our time on earth is so short, and I take comfort in knowing I have a daughter in Heaven who I will be with forever. My children have a sister, and one day our family will be complete, together in the kingdom of Heaven. Cradled in Hope helped me see that more clearly through the fog of my grief. I’m so grateful to Ashley for writing this book for me and for so many other grieving moms who are separated from their babies, and for the kind person who donated my own copy of the book to the hospital where I delivered Gabriella,” Andrea shared.

Andrea wanted other grieving mothers in her community to have access to that same encouragement.

She ordered 50 copies of Cradled in Hope and spent the week of Gabriella’s due date distributing them throughout the Charlotte, North Carolina, area. She delivered books to hospitals, pregnancy centers, public libraries, and a local grief support organization—including hospitals where grieving families may someday receive a copy during some of their most difficult moments.

Among the locations was Novant Health Matthews Medical Center, the hospital where Andrea delivered Gabriella.

What could have been a week marked only by the ache of an empty due date became an opportunity to say Gabriella’s name through acts of love.

“I thought for a while about what I wanted to do to honor Gabriella on her due date. In one of the last chapters of Cradled in Hope, Ashley talks about God using your grief for good. I chose to donate the books in honor of Gabriella so that her life could help bring healing and the hope of Jesus to the hearts of other moms whose precious babies have left this earth. Spending the week of Gabriella’s due date delivering copies of the book around Charlotte was healing for me in a special way. Walking through the doors of my own hospital on the week my baby girl should have been born was extremely hard. But- Gabriella’s name means “God is my strength”, and it has been a sweet reminder that even on the hardest days, He is carrying me through. My hope is that these books will touch the lives of many, as it did for me,” Andrea shared.

Her hope is simple: that somewhere in Charlotte, a grieving mother will pick up one of those books at exactly the moment she needs it. That she will find words for a grief that can feel impossible to explain. That she will know she is not alone. And, most importantly, that she will be reminded of the eternal hope found in Jesus.

Andrea donated copies to Matthews Medical Center, Ballantyne Medical Center, Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, three Help Pregnancy Center locations, KinderMourn, and both the Union County and Charlotte-Mecklenburg public library systems. She also reserved copies to bring to a grief workshop at her church.

Fifty books. Dozens of places where hope can now be found. Countless grieving mothers who may encounter Gabriella’s legacy in the months and years ahead.

Gabriella’s life continues to matter. Her story continues to be told. And because her mom chose to turn her grief into an offering of love, other mothers will be reminded that their babies matter, too. What a beautiful legacy for a deeply loved little girl. 🤍

For more information about Bridget’s Cradles, visit here.

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