Plant a Garden.
I would love to plant a remembrance garden or donate a tree. These are things on my list to do.

Go someplace new each year on your child's birthday.
My friend Donna does this every year for her daughter Lily's birthday. Such a great idea!

Learn something new each year on your child's birthday.
One year, I joined a pottery class. I have always wanted to learn how to throw pots on the wheel. Kieron started Yoga. He has always wanted to become more flexible. This year, 2008, I'm learning how to play the banjo.

Donate toys for a Christmas Appeal.
I know several bereaved parents who donate something wonderful to a child the same gender and age as their child would be.

Create a special place in your home that is just for your child.
We've created an alter in our home as a place of refection. We light candles every Sunday night.

Make clothes and quilts for babies in the NICU.
A wonderful organization in the USA called, Newborns in Need, has patterns to get you started. Very tiny clothes are especially needed for very premature babies who have died.

Create something special in memory of your child.
Some ideas include decorating memory or photo albums, writing letters or journaling, sewing a memory quilt, cross stitching, making a wreath or candle out of flowers. I have made paintings and drawings. Kieron made casts of Imogen and Søren's hands, feet and faces. Kieron's dad made a beautiful box for us to store Søren's ashes. He chose wood from 3 continents to reflect Søren's heritage - North America, Australia, and New Zealand. We love it. Other friends and family have written letters and poems. We received a beautiful ceramic dish with Heloise's name on it in the mail, made by a very dear friend. She also made a book mark for Imogen.

Include your child's name on Christmas cards.
This is a simple way to acknowledge them as part of the family.

Contribute to a charity in your child's name.
We currently contribute to Amnesty International. We also contribute to CareFlight, Australia. Below is one of the bears we received for Imogen from CareFlight - her nursey bear.