"Walk to Remember" is Saturday; Area family shares its infant loss experience

Healing Hearts Infant Loss Support Group will be hosting its Third Annual Walk to Remember Saturday, October 13 at Waukon City Park. The event will begin at 10:30 a.m. and is being held to honor the memory of babies who have passed from this life.
In an effort to provide support for those who may have experienced an infant loss, the Wayne and Tammy Cooper family of Lansing has offered to share its experience of a similar loss. Tammy wrote the poem printed below that has provided her an avenue of strength and support, sharing it with others in an effort to make them realize there is help and support available to assist in coping with such losses.

Hi, my name is Tammy Cooper, and on November 29, 1997 my husband, Wayne, and I were blessed with two more children - twin daughters, Brooke and Ellie. However, in a short time, Brooke was diagnosed with three heart defects.
March 13, 1998, Brooke underwent heart surgery, but due to complications, never recovered. I would like to share a poem I wrote that has helped give me strength and courage to live each day:

“It is You”
We will always cherish the special memories.
Just like a beautiful yellow rose, your precious memory grows and grows.
The beauty you shared and that gentle smile touched the hearts of many.
You were one of mommy’s and daddy’s little angels, with you and your twin sister’s room being decorated in angels.
In a short time, you were truly one of God’s chosen angels.
We will never forget that precious smile you gave us before you left, a smile of “I Love You” and everything is going to be okay.
But you never said good-bye.
It is you we see every day through your twin sister as you hold her hand to walk with her.
It is you when your sister reaches out to kiss the treasured pictures of you and her together.
It is you when the playground music begins to play.
It is you when your brothers look up to the stars in the sky.
It is you that inspires your cousins, through their colored pictures and drawings.
It is you when the yellow rose from a special day never lost its beauty and strength.
It is you when we talk and dream of angels.
Perhaps it is you when the sun wakes us up on an early morning or we catch a glimpse of a butterfly resting on a flower or an eagle soaring through the sky.
It is you that makes us so proud!
Your love fills our lives with a warmth that shows you are there.
You will always be with us in so many ways.
For deep in our hearts, each of us knows you live!

EVENT INFORMATION
There is no registration cost to participate in the event, but it is asked that those participating RSVP in advance to assure necessary material amounts and acknowledgment for families walking. T-shirt orders will be taken the day of the walk, along with a number of other remembrance items available for sale that day.
Registration will be at the Sweeney Shelter beginning at 9:45 a.m. The walk will begin at 10:30 a.m. starting at the Sweeney Shelter, walking through the park and ending with the flower release at Indian Springs Pond in the City Park. In addition to the walk activities, this year's event will also feature a ‘grand opening’ for Playful Little Hearts Playground located near the Thompson Shelter in the middle of the park.
Find the event on Facebook by searching “Walk to Remember” or look at the events posted on the Healing Hearts Infant Loss Support Group page. Have questions answered or RSVP by Facebook, e-mail at healingheartsgroup@hotmail.com, or by phone at 563-568-5486. Rain date will be Sunday, October 14 at 1 p.m.
In an effort to extend community remembrance beyond just a single day, Healing Hearts Infant Loss Support Group is also working on an Angel Tribute Sign, which will be placed near the new Playful Little Hearts Playground located by the Thompson Shelter in Waukon City Park. Those wishing to place an order for the Angel Tribute sign or needing further details about the project can e-mail healingheartsgroup@hotmail.com or call Dacia Sommer at 563-568-4296 or 563-568-8171.