Our Busy Fall!

We have certainly had a busy fall filled with very special events which have focused around our precious Sophia.

Saturday, September 26, Dan and I and our loving and amazingly supportive siblings and friends attended a benefit called "Hope Rocks." The proceeds benefit Faith's Lodge, which is a beautiful lodge just north of Siren, Wisconsin where families of children who are seriously ill or who have lost children can retreat "to reflect on the past, renew strength for the present, and build hope for the future."

We went to Faith's Lodge the weekend after the benefit. Words simply cannot explain how comforting and healing it was to be able to spend 4 full days with other parents who understand just what we are going through. Although we all had different stories, we all could relate in our grief. We spent all four days talking about our journey with Sophia. We found that not only was it therapeutic to be able to talk about her for so many days, but it also felt so good to be able to support others who are dealing with this intense grief. In fact, we have stayed in contact with the 8 couples who were there, and a few have even joined our support group.

The benefit and our time at Faith's Lodge fell at a perfect time as we had been anticipating Sophia's due date, which was Saturday, October 10. Although Dan and I and our famlies continue to find some comfort and peace knowing what a blessing it was to be able to spend our precious day with baby Sophie, we couldn't help but feel a bit of sadness knowing that October 10 would have been her official due date. Our famlies came over for dinner and spent the evening together to celebrate the special day :) We had such a nice night talking about Sophia and sharing our experience at Faith's Lodge. We simply cannon say enough about how supportive, strong and loving our families have been throughout this journey.

Dan and I are just so grateful for all of the support we continue to receive from so many of you. Just when we think that we are so alone in our grief, we receive a heartfelt letter, email or phone call. This has been the toughest thing that either one of us have ever gone through and knowing we have such loving friends and family is just such a blessing :)

We are also thrilled to share that Angie (my twin) and her husband Kyle welcomed baby Bennett Theodore Vershey on October 27th. They are all doing well, and he is such a handsome and sweet addition to the Thompson clan of boy grandsons!