Resilience

I received the definition of resilience in an email today and the words have been an echo throughout my day. 

“Resilience is the ability to work with adversity in such a way that one comes through it unharmed or even better for the experience.  Resilience means facing life's difficulties with courage and patience – refusing to give up.  It is the quality of character that allows a person to rebound from misfortune, hardships and traumas.

            Resilience is rooted in a tenacity of spirit – a determination to embrace all that makes life worth living even in the face of overwhelming odds.  Much of our resilience comes from community – from the relationships that allow us to lean on each other for support when we need it.”

Two days after burying Hayden was my 33rd birthday.  I found the concept of my birthday utterly ridiculous under the circumstances.  I was in disbelief that the world was still moving forward and I was stuck.  I kept thinking to myself that there has to be something to learn from the tragedy that fell on our family.   

8 months later, my heart still aches for Hayden but I have learned that I am resilient.  I have learned that living with a tragedy isn’t the end of our lives but the beginning of a new kind of life and we will survive.  I have learned that the sun rises and sets, regardless if your heart is broken.  I have learned that crying doesn’t make me weak, it makes me human.  I have learned that there are still reasons to smile and find joy in our lives.  I have learned that I will always miss Hayden but most of all I have learned that I have no choice but to be resilient.

Hayden’s Helping Hands is a resilient “community” that financially supports families when they need it.  We give families a shoulder to lean on when the medical bill arrives for a baby they can no longer plan on bringing home.  If you know a family who needs financial assistance with their delivery medical bills, please give them our information.  If you desire to support a family when they need it, please make a donation.  No donation is too small and all are appreciated.  www.haydenshelpinghands.com

www.haydenshelpinghands.com is live!

Please refer to www.haydenshelpinghands.com for more information about Hayden's Helping Hands.  Our site contains donation, application and event information.  The Hayden's Helping Hands blog has been moved to the website above.


Thank you for your continued support of our foundation.

Do you see me?

Have you ever seen a dragonfly dance above a tabletop and land within your reach, as if to say, "do you see me"? And just before you could answer she spreads her wings and flies away. In just a blink she becomes transparent in the sunlight, but in that moment a connection was made. Dragonflies symbolize self realization and change in perspective that evolves through growth and maturity. This amazing and beautiful creature spends most of its life like a child in the womb, developing and preparing for the outside world. Once she hatches, her life is short. She knows to live in the moment and dance. 


Our beautiful logo was created and donated by graphic artist, Pamela Rambo www.pamelarambo.com  

Drumroll Please

This week holds some very exciting things in store for Hayden's Helping Hands, I can just feel it.


As of yesterday, we have a adopted a logo that is beautiful, powerful, and simple.  This logo is the face of our foundation and represents the progress we are making.  The logo was kindly donated by graphic artist, Pamela Rambo www.pamelarambo.com  Our logo will be unveiled this week.


On Monday, we will be featured in http://pdx.macaronikid.com/.  This will be the first article that we have had published about our non-profit foundation.  We will hopefully be reaching a large number of readers who are moved by what we are doing.


We will also be making strides toward having our first fundraiser.  Details to come soon.


Our website will be up shortly, just some finishing touches to take care of.  The web address is www.haydenshelpinghands.com


Hayden's Helping Hands is a love hate relationship for me, I love what we are doing but I have to admit I hate why it has been created.  No foundation can mimic holding your own baby in your arms or watching her sleep in her crib.  When I think about HHH, I think about other families who will face the same tragedy and many who already have.  I think about what can be done to ease the grief.  This is why HHH was created, to try and help in some way.  Hayden's Helping Hands will only survive on the work that the 6 wonderful ladies on the board are doing and with your donations.  No donation is too small and all are greatly appreciated.  Our goal is to pay delivery medical expenses at a maximum of $1000 per family.  If you feel so inclined, please mail a donation to the following address:


Hayden's Helping Hands
PO Box 2041
Clackamas, OR 97015