Singing with Sylvia for Christmas

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 Singing with Sylvia for Christmas


Ava Faith Monchuk

Ava Faith Monchuk
Our cherished daughter, Ava Faith Monchuk, was delivered directly to God on June 4, 2011, at 40+ weeks gestation. A public memorial service will be held Monday, June 13, at 1 p.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1636 Acadia Drive in Saskatoon, with a reception following.

Ava Faith weighed 9 pounds, 3 ounces and was 21 and 3/4 inches long. She had dark hair, chubby cheeks and a lovely little mouth. Our perfectly beautiful baby died peacefully in utero. After a serene beginning to labor at home, we were devastated to find no heartbeat when once we were admitted to Royal University Hospital.

I proceeded to labor for about 15 hours at the hospital, knowing that I would not receive my long-awaited prize in the end, but hoping for a healthier recovery at home for my son's sake. My best efforts at a regular delivery went unrewarded as I ended up with a Cesarean section the next morning. Although not as quickly as I'd hope, I am feeling physically better with each passing day.

Although autopsy results will arrive in about six weeks, it is unlikely that we will receive an answer to our burning question of, "Why."

As we mourn the fact that our hello to Ava Faith was also our goodbye, we believe that she was brought to us by God for reasons that we will continue to learn until we meet her one day in heaven. Throughout our pregnancy, labor, delivery, and remembrance of Ava Faith, we have been amazed and humbled by the overwhelming support and kindness from our family, friends, and community.

We feel that Ava Faith’s message for each of us is that we are not meant to be self-sufficient; we need each other and we need God. She is inspiring us to ask God each day how we can be his hands and feet to help others and use the gifts He has given us to make an impact in the world. It is our hope that Ava Faith’s little footprints will travel widely through those left behind who love and remember her.

In lieu of flowers, our family suggests memorial donations be made to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan.

Family and silence are my comforts of choice at the moment. As time passes, I know I will begin to find and share additional words that will help to heal my heart and to allow me to properly express gratitude to everyone who has offered love, prayers and messages for my family.

♥ Laura

39 comments:

  1. Laura and family,
    My heart is aching, I'm so sorry for your loss. I feel your love for your daughter and know God will take good care of her. No mother should feel this pain! You have many people that will be here for you when you are ready. God bless

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  2. Laura,

    I am so sorry for your family's loss - you are all in our thoughts and prayers at this time. ((hug))

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  3. Laura, I'm so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my prayers.

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  4. Praying for you and your family, Laura.

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  5. Laura, I'm sorry for your loss - you all are in our thoughts and prayers.

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  6. I am so sorry to hear of this devistating news. She will always be in your heart.
    Tara

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  7. Laura, being 38 weeks pregnant myself I cannot imagine what you must be going through at this time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

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  8. Laura,

    I'm so sorry for your loss. What a devastating loss! Thinking and praying for you and your family during this difficult time.
    J

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  9. So sorry. Thinking about you.

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  10. Beautiful post. Precious photo. Love and hugs!

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  11. my heart is hurting for you and your family. This is not going to be easy. :( I am glad you were able to capture a few pics to cherish her little life. HUGE HUGS!

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  12. my heart is hurting for you and your family. This is not going to be easy. :( I am glad you were able to capture a few pics to cherish her little life. HUGE HUGS!

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  13. my heart is hurting for you and your family. This is not going to be easy. :( I am glad you were able to capture a few pics to cherish her little life. HUGE HUGS!

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  14. Lovely, sweet post, Laura. Bless you.

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  15. What a lovely, sensitive post. I am unknown to you Laura but I would like to offer my thoughts and prayers for you and your family as this sad time

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  17. What a beautiful post to honour your beautiful daughter. I hope that you can find comfort in the love and support being sent your way from the global family of fellow Moms. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

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  18. Our family has been through the exact same loss as you, right up to the timing.God does give the strength we need at each moment but some moments are extrmely hard to bear....our thoughts and prayers are with you now and in the future.

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  19. I am so sorry for you loss. Thoghts have been with you since I found out. *Tears*

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  20. Laura, it's Kim from yoga class. We were all stunned to hear the heartbreaking news about Ava. I'm praying for you, and trust that through even a time as this, God has your good at heart and I know his heart breaks along with yours. Blessings to you.

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  21. I'm am so sorry. There are no words that can be said to make this better. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

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  22. There are no words that can express the depth of this loss. I am sorry and I will pray for you and your family.

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  23. I'm so sorry for your loss, Laura. We're praying for you and your family and your little Ava in Heaven. May God wrap you in His arms of comfort and grant you peace.

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  24. I lost my baby in February, so I know that there are no words that can take the pain away. Please know that I am so sorry for your loss. No one should have to bury their baby. You, Ava, and your family are in my thoughts.

    "All that we love deeply becomes part of us"

    - Helen Keller

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  25. Very sorry you and your family have experienced this tragedy. My heart hurts for you all. I'm very aware this isn't a fraction of what you, your husband and son are going through. I pray for the ongoing healing and memory of Ava.

    Nicole Thomas (my family met you & your family at Kindermusic earlier this year)

    Much love your way<3

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  26. Laura,
    We went through the same loss with our firstborn son, Gordon, 4 and a half years ago. All that you have written rings true. If you would ever like to contact me here is my email: jennymac@sasktel.net

    Jennifer

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  27. Dear Laura,

    You have been such a generous person in sharing your knowledge and wisdom with other moms. I am a regular visitor to your website. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I wish you and your family all the best.

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  28. I've been sitting here writing and re-writing what I want to say, and honestly, I'm not sure what words I could offer to you that would be appropriate to express how much my heart hurts for you, C and J. My husband and I have been praying for you all and will be thinking of you today. After reading your blog entry, I am amazed at your deep faith and I hope that it will bring you the comfort you need. God bless you, C and J.

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  29. I cant get your sad news off my mind. I have been holding and hugging my children just a little bit more, thankful for what I have, as I am sure you are doing with your little boy these days. I don't know if you realize how inspirational and helpful you and your website are to other moms like me in Saskatoon. You have touched so many children's lives in so many ways. It seems so unfair for this to happen. I know you will find the strength to move forward, Im just so saddened that you have that task ahead of you. Godspeed..

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  30. I remember when this happened to me I just cried, then screamed, then cried and screamed some more. Why was this happening to us? Why???? We are good people! This is UNFAIR! And then after awhile...I cried a little less and I started to yell, not scream and one day I found myself trying to smile. It takes time and you never forget, but the pain subsides a little and joy eventually comes back into your life.

    Our family loves this blog and you breath life into the community. I am closer to my children because you have inspired us to get out there and do things as a family. Thank you kindly. You are our hero!

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  31. Laura,
    My thoughts and prayers are with you and I am truly sorry for your loss. You have honoured Ava in this post. I hold you and your family in my heart as you grieve.
    Natasha Burlinguette

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  32. Laura-
    You are an inspiration to a lot of people, myself included. I met you last year at the Smiling Mask premier and I have never forgot that evening. I am incredibly sorry for your loss and wish you find solace in knowing that she did what she was made to do...and she will never be far away from you. Take care and love each day with all you can.

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  33. Words can't express how sorry I am for your loss. You have such unbeleivable strength and I know God and Ava are watching over you. Thank you for sharing your blogs and your website to all of us. Just know that you have a huge support system on this site. I check this site daily to see what activities I can bring my children too, and look forward to your posts. Take your time in healing and know that we will all be here for you when you are ready to return. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

    -jenn a.

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  34. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your beautiful daughter. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I cant imagine what it must be like for your family but I hope you find some peace and healing in the time to come. I love your site and am very grateful for the hard work you put into it. When your ready Ill continue to be a supporter and follower,
    God bless,
    Melissa

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  35. Laura and family,
    My thoughts and prayers are with you. I have know Laura through business contacts and has always been a woman of faith and family. Although we don't have to know the reasoning behind things that happen, but having the faith that the pieces all fit. May God watch over your family and give you comfort through this difficult time. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
    --Lori

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  36. Laura, many times I have been blessed by all the work you put into this site. As I checked in today to see what activities might be going on in the city, I was so saddened to see your announcement of Ava's birth and loss. Knowing that she went right to be with Jesus gives hope, but I know it certainly does not take away your incredible pain. Praying for you and your family. Living in the tension of joy with your son and mourning your daughter must be so challenging. May God's comfort and strength be so real to you.

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  37. Hi Laura,

    The words you shared upon the passing of your daughter are etched permanently in my mind and heart as i go through the final days of my second pregnancy, with my own little two year-old at my side.

    I would like you to know that your courage to write, to share this most painful experience is leaving its mark on hearts all around you.

    May you find the strength to continue to share what you are going through, and by doing so, help others who aren't as able to.

    You are most certainly in my thoughts and prayers, as is your precious daughter and family.

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  38. I'm so sorry for your lose. This must be the hardest time for a parent. My family has also dealt with the lose of a child, a 22 month old boy who drowned last summer. Take comfort in your son and family. Prayers for you all.

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