"I'll Be There For You"

Through the loss of my beloved baby Ryan ten months ago today, I gained a wonderful friendship with Kristin, who understands the enormous hole left in your heart when you lose your baby.

She has been there for me when it matters the most, and she manages to surprise me with the sweetest of gestures. I hate that it took losing our boys to forge our friendship, but I'm eternally grateful that she reached out to me in my time of need. That's what a true friend does.

Because of that, she and her precious Thomas will always have a special place in my heart.

In Thomas' honor, we planted an Autumn Blaze maple tree. I had wanted to plant the same variety as Kristin's Thomas tree (Pacific Sunset), but the species is unavailable in our area. (In the background, you can see the spinning balloon that Mike gave me for Mother's Day.) This is my way of making certain that Thomas is always remembered and is my way of showing the significance his little life has had on me.

When Thomas was taken from Kristin, I became painfully aware of just how fleeting life can be, and I tried my best to treasure every moment of my pregnancy with Ryan, since I didn't know how much time we'd have together and I knew it could be gone in an instant. Little did I know back then that those treasured moments - Ryan tucked away safely in my belly - would be the greatest we'd ever have.

Kristin also sent a baby Colorado Spruce when we lost most of the trees at the back of our property to developers. I've been protecting it from the rigors of an already-steamy summer by keeping it in a shaded spot on our front porch, and it has shown its appreciation by sprouting new branches-to-be. Every morning on my way to work, I can't help but smile when I pass this tiny tree, which is barely more than a branch. I know that, despite its teeny existence now, one day it will grow to be a beautiful tree, providing food and shelter to all sorts of critters.

Thank you, K, for a friendship that I can never thank you enough for. You've taught me so much about myself and about what it means to be a true friend.