My son was only 18 months old when his sister Lily was born sleeping. She was diagnosed with a fatal neural tubal defect when I was 18 weeks pregnant. I dreamed of having children close together, and while they are still close in age, it is not what I imagined.

I miss my daughter so much, but my heart aches the most for my son who does not have his sister to grow up with. I pray every day that he will have memories of her and know her. He is now two and starting to talk a lot more. We recently went to visit her grave and when we left he said “Love you Lily.” Nothing has ever made my heart burst with pride and shatter with sorrow all at the same time. I would love to have a book for Ted to read to help him as he grows up without his sister.

—Kellie Soper