Alison Paige
A memorial to our daughter's short life.
Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly. -Unknown
As the years since Ali's birth pass, we continue to find ourselves reminded of Alison in different ways. Last month, Colton had watched a TV show where someone became a big sister. He said something about his big sister and stopped us in our tracks. Other times it's more subtle like seeing a little girl or hearing about a baby born prematurely.
We continue to participate in WalkAmerica to raise money for March of Dimes. We are making it an annual way to pay tribute to her. Anyone is welcome to join us in April to walk with us as Team Alison.
Each year we recognize Alison's birthday with special thoughts and remembrances and a trip to the Charles River or the ocean. It provides a quiet way to be with her spirit. She is always in our hearts and we appreciate the friends and family who share her with us.
Two years later
Today, March 20, 2004, marks two years since Alison was born and died. We honored her today by spending some time at the ocean reflecting on our lives and the impact that our little girl had on us. The sky was blue and the ocean majestic, a perfect spring day. It was very peaceful for us.
We also spent some time reading the cards and loving wishes that were sent to us following Alison's death. We remember so clearly being touched by all of the heart-felt wishes we received at the time. And we are touched now by those who continue to hold Alison close.
As we were looking through the cards, Jesse found a 'Birth Certificate' the hospital had given us for Alison. It was just a fill-in the blank form "in honor of a short life" that they put in with some other things to remember her. It wasn't the wording that struck him, but the fact that they had a pre-printed form for such occasions. It makes you think how many other people must go through the same thing.
This year, we've found the strength to "give back" and participate in March of Dimes WalkAmerica in memory of Alison. It feels good to do something that will help other families, in hopes that no one else will have to endure the pain of losing a baby to premature birth.
We know that Alison is always with us and watching over our family. We are thankful for her and for our close family and friends who endure life's daily happenings with us with hope and love.
This time of year we also remember all the other babies that are born prematurely. One in eight births occur prematurely and no matter the outcome, it has a profound impact on the surrounding lives. We take time to remember all the people we've met through Alison and stories of their little angels. Each one holds a place in our hearts.
The first year without Ali
It's been just over a year since Ali came into our lives. We celebrated her birthday with a walk in Mt. Auburn Cemetery and a birthday cake. She is still very much in our hearts and on our minds.
One way we chose to remember Ali was by making a donation to the March of Dimes' Prematurity Campaign. March of Dimes works to raise awareness and lower the occurrence of premature births.
You can see Ali's Virtual Wristband on the March of Dimes website. If you would like to make a donation in her name, you can do it there too.
Ali's birth
Alison Paige was born March 20th, 2002 at the same moment that spring arrived.
She was perfect and beautiful. Alison was born too early to survive and died after about 2 hours. That time is precious and was so important to us.
Our friends and family gathered around to be with us in our mourning. They made life as easy as it could be at the time. We are still amazed by the support that came to us from everywhere including co-workers and people we never met or barely know.
Today as we continue to mourn, we are thankful for each thought of Alison that is shared with us. We think about her every day so it helps knowing that she is in the thoughts of others too.
These are a few readings that we feel were helpful or fitting. Some were read at a ceremony of remembrance we held for her.
| Alison Paige's Eulogy | (as read by her parents) |
| Desiderata | (as read by Ali's mother) This calligraphy rendering of the poem was made by Ali's great-aunt Leslie. |
| Matthew 6 | (as read by Great-grandfather, Sam) |
| Mother | (a poem that touched us) |
These are resources we felt were helpful.
The Kindness of Strangers; Boston Globe Magazine, Aug 4, 2002
Jewish Family and Children's Services, Newton, MA