DeLanee's Story

10 years ago, Becky and Tommy, were blessed to be pregnant with their second child. Shortly thereafter they learned that they were going to be parents to a little girl, but the probability of their daughter living for very long was extremely low. Their daughter was diagnosed with a condition called Dandy-Walker Cyst. The doctors believed that their baby girl would deteriorate and pass away during pregnancy, but much to their surprise DeLanee developed until 28 weeks gestation when she was delivered and lived for three hours. As you can imagine, these 3 hours was precious time that they spent as a family with their daughter taking pictures, bathing, dressing and holding her until she passed away in their arms. Upon DeLanee's passing, the nurses brought the family a box to put their daughter’s belongings in to take home with them. Because DeLanee was born in January the nurses were able to find a leftover Christmas box. That Christmas box became extremely special to them and they clung to it and the contents inside that held their daughter’s precious belongings as they left the hospital without their baby. It was because of this box that the inspiration for Lanee’s Legacy began. . .



Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Attention Runners!


The Outwest Balloon Fest 5K Fun Run is happening on March 5th! This fun event at University of Phoenix stadium will give all who register for the race, entry into the balloon fest, a race shirt and an entry into a raffle for an IPAD PRO. Best of all, the proceeds from the race benefit Cox Charities. And guess who is a benefiter of Cox Charities? Lanee's Legacy! When registering, you only need to list "Lanee's Legacy" as your benefiting charity. To register, go to: www.outwestballoonfest.com. Please feel free to share this information and help promote this awesome event!




Thursday, January 28, 2016

12 Years....My Beehive




My feelings have been close to the surface this past week as DeLanee's 12th birthday has approached.  Its so funny how almost instinctively we can feel the "season" we are in.  Whether it be the temperature outside, the traditions of the time of year, the activities we are accustomed to participating in or whatever....I have felt it.  Each year that passes, the grief gets further and further away.  Its always there.  It just becomes more distant.  But this year (this past week rather), it has seemed closer.  I have wondered why?   I understand 5 years old.  The year they start kindergarten many other "firsts".  10 years....an entire decade.  But 12?  As I've thought about it, I think it has to do with our church and the progression that happens for 12 year olds.  She would be crossing over into a coveted organization called "young womens".  She no longer would be in with the primary age kids, but joining other girls between the age of 12 - 18 to participate in more mature lessons and attend once a week activities with the older kids.  Girls that are around 10 and 11 years old, really start to look forward to entering the young women's organization and leaving the "babies".

12 and 13 year olds are known as the "Beehives".  DeLanee would be a Beehive this year.  I think these "marker" years cause extra feelings.  The realization of what we "would be" doing this year.  I was recently in the young women's organization. When a new Beehive would enter, their Mom was also invited in to "introduce" them.  They would talk about their daughter....their personality traits, talents and likes.  What a fun way to get to know them a little bit as they enter.  I wonder what I would say?  I wonder what she would look like?  These places our minds takes us. 

When I first lost DeLanee, I wanted to progress through my grief.  I wished I could fast forward time to escape the pain.  The hurt was so intense that I didn't want to "feel" so deeply.  Everyday was such a struggle to get through.  The sorrow was so overwhelming and consuming that I had to take it not even a day at a time, but sometimes an hour at a time.  I got my wish though.  Time DID pass and the hurt wasn't ever so present. Now it comes and goes.  Less and less all the time.  This last week as I have felt it creep up on me....and as weird as this sounds....I have almost welcomed it.  Grief is something that connects me to my daughter.  When I feel it, I feel her.  My life has changed so much in the last twelve years.  I had three more babies and added other children to my life through re-marriage.  My life is very full and busy and lovely.  I still miss her.  I wish I could walk with her into young women's this coming Sunday and introduce my sweet girl to the other girls.  I wish I could experience the excitement and sweetness on her face as she crossed over this bridge in her life.  I wish....

A few years ago I was in Colorado and we went into a Honeyville store.  We sat and watched a hive of bees as they worked and we even spotted the queen.  It was super interesting to watch.  When thinking about bees and what I know of them, they spend their entire life pollinating, gathering nectar and then condensing it into honey.  The term "busy as a bee" comes to mind when you realize that they flitter around so much in their short little life to fly around the world TWICE!  AND, all that hard work and gathering of honey only amounts to one-twelfth of a teaspoon of honey.  Only one-twelfth!  But their contribution is vital to the hive.  Each one doing their part contributes to something bigger and oh so sweet!  The honey we left with that day in Colorado was some of the best I have ever had!  The Peach one was so yum!

This morning as I ate breakfast with my kiddos, we talked about how today (on DeLanee's 12th birthday) we were going to do an act of service for someone....either in secret or openly.  We're going to act as a bee doing our one-twelfth of our contribution to something bigger and sweeter.  This world is so big, but there are so many opportunities to serve those around us if we are watchful and act upon the promptings that come.  It gives us the opportunity to not only bless another's life....but our own.  I can't wait to hear what my kids chose to do while they were at school today.  It will be awesome to hear their stories when we go to DeLanee's grave later today.

Although, I have felt the grief stronger this past week, its my hope that today can be sweet.  I'm going to keep the "Bee" in mind and look for opportunities to do my part.  DeLanee has blessed my life in so many ways over the past 12 years.  I am so grateful to her and the lessons I've learned.  I'm thankful for this organization and the opportunity it has given me to serve others, meet amazing people that have positively influenced my life.  I'm thankful for those that have done their "part" as they have contributed to Lanee's Legacy to help it become what it is today.  What a blessing!

Happy Birthday to my sweet little Beehive!

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

SAVE THE DATE - MOTHER'S DAY BOX MAKING

We are hosting a Mother's Day Box Making on Thursday, May 7, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. at Phoenix Perinatal Associates (1840 S. Stapley Drive, Ste. 131, Mesa, Arizona).

This is a great opportunity to come and connect as Mother's who have experienced a loss while we work together making boxes. This event is free and all are welcome.

If you'd like to create a box in memory of your baby, please pre-pay ($20) by clicking on our "donate" button at the top right of this page. Please remember to leave your baby's name in the comment section.


Please help us spread the word so that all may take advantage of this opportunity. Refreshments provided. 


Wednesday, January 14, 2015

THANK YOU HORNE FAMILY!


We want to send a great big THANK YOU to the Horne Family and the Seth and Maurine Horne Trust for their generous donation. All donations that are received by our organization are viewed as "sacred money" in which we bear a huge responsibility to use those funds in a way that would be most beneficial and cost effective to the organization. None of the members of the LL team receive any payment or even reimbursement for expenses they acquire while serving within the organization. All funds received go right into the making of the boxes. We appreciate the Horne family and their trust in us. Their donation will make a difference in a lot of lives! Thank you for your generosity!
 
 

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Spirit of Giving


Tonight I opened up an e-mail telling me that we had received a donation. Attached to that donation was a tender note from a very sweet lady who lost her baby ...last week. Just days before Christmas. What were you doing a week ago? Were you finishing decorating your house for Christmas? Buying gifts for your family and friends? Baking and cooking for the big day? I can't help but think of this sweet woman that while the rest of the world was caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations, she was saying hello and goodbye to her precious baby. I know for her that it seemed like the world should have just stopped. It should have paused and recognized the weight of the event she was enduring. Someone very important and precious came and changed her life and then exited so quickly while the rest of the world celebrated. My heart is so heavy in thinking about her and what she went through at this time of year. She wrote to us that the box was a "source of comfort during a very difficult time". How I hope she felt the love that our volunteers pack inside those boxes. How I hope that she felt that she was NOT alone. How I hope that she was surrounded with loved ones that were there to lift her up and support her. How I hope she knows that WE CARE about her.

I have been thinking a lot about the birth of Christ this season, but especially about His mother.....Mary. Her baby did not pass away at birth, but she knew that he was a king and that he came to save the world. She knew what His mission would be and that He would endure the ultimate sacrifice for all mankind. That quiet night that He was born and she bundled Him up and held Him close makes me contemplate all that she must have been feeling. I wonder if Mary and this sweet woman who lost her baby last week didn't share similar feelings? Mary knew her baby would ultimately die, but I know she must have held him so close and felt so blessed to be His mother. I wonder if time stood still for her as it did for this mom last week? That blessed night that the Savior came He was hers to love on and adore. He would go on to set an example for the entire world, but for that ONE night, He was just hers to hold close.

This Christmas season has been so wonderful to reflect upon the gift that the Savior is to ALL of us in our lives. He died so that all mankind may live again. He is the gift to all of us including this sweet mom who lost her baby last week. This knowledge is the only comfort during such a difficult time. I am grateful for this Christmas season and the sweetness that is felt through expressions of love, hope and the spirit of giving. I am grateful for everyone's donations this past year so that we may give a gift to someone who needs it at a most difficult time. I hope that this sweet mom and all other mom's that are grieving at this time have felt that love during this Christmas season. Our hearts are full of love and compassion for you. We hope that you can feel it.

Friday, November 7, 2014

Sponsor a box


Today boxes are being donated by those of you that have sponsored a box in loving memory of your baby. Although these pics have been individually sent, we wanted to thank the parents of: Eldon Adair Pickrel, Blayne Ryan Bettcher, Brooklyn Skye Weum, Jameson Dwane Wagner, Isla Maddison Meek and Domonic Jayden Torres. Your loving donation means another family will be given this gift at the time of their loss. Thank you so much!

If you would like to donate a box in memory of your baby, you may do so by clicking on the donate button.  To sponsor a box, it is a $20.00 donation.  Just click on the "donate" button above and then leave your baby's name in the comment section.
 

 
 


Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Cigna chooses Lanee's Legacy!


Lanee's Legacy received some awesome news recently! Kristen Snair, who works for Cigna, received news that Cigna would be choosing non-profit organizations to donate $1,000 grant money to.  Kristen went to work entering our organization in this contest. After a few months, we found out that we are a winner!  This was a GLOBAL competition of non-profit organizations reviewed by CIGNA, so we feel pretty special to have received this grant.   We learned that there was nearly 200 companies entered and that they chose 50.  That means we were chosen over 3/4 of the organizations entered!

Thanks so much Kristen for your hard work in enrolling us in this contest!  Thanks Cigna for choosing us!!