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Deb & Dean Welsch

Surprise! That’s how our story of Clayton began in the fall of 2002. This was the year my husband, Dean, and I would each turn 40, and we thought that would be traumatic enough - the addition of another child to the family was certainly not part of our plans. After several weeks of considering how this new addition would change our family, we shared the news with our children. Aaron, Lauren, and Josh, ages 14, 12, and 10, respectively, at the time were thrilled with the news and our world quickly changed from shock and disbelief to excitement and preparation. The pregnancy proceeded as expected, including remodeling changes to our home, preparation of our hearts for the new arrival, and the physical development of baby Clayton. But nothing could prepare us for what happened on March 24, 2003. That’s the day that our family, after excitedly going to the hospital and laboring together, learned that there were unexpected complications and our much-anticipated Clayton had died. In a matter of hours our world had gone from a bright, sunny day of hope and expectation to one of despair and unimaginable grief. Individually, and as a family, we wondered how we would ever move beyond Clayton’s passing.

Thankfully, Share was there for us in our time of need, as it has been for many others over the past 25 years. Unbeknownst to us at the time, Share had helped prepare professional caregivers to be able to provide the kinds of support that would be invaluable to us. Specifically, as a result of Share’s efforts our family was surrounded by doctors, nurses, and others that would lead us through our darkest day, helping to create special memories of the brief time we had with Clayton. Pictures were taken, footprints stamped, locks of hair saved, and the few precious moments we had with Clayton were filled with love. These memories would be critical for our healing, and for going on with life.

With some reluctance my husband and I joined one of Share’s support groups. Through the conversations there we learned that, unfortunately, we were not alone in experiencing infant loss. Importantly, the brief group sharings stimulated many hours of family discussion – our healing began. Since the loss of Clayton we have continued to receive the love and support that Share provides. While we will always have a void in our lives that only Clayton could fill, thanks to the Share staff and countless volunteers, we can remember Clayton with a smile in our hearts.

Having experienced first-hand the life-changing care provided by Share, we desire to support others in their times of tragic loss. Our gifts of time and financial assistance have given us the opportunity to support Share and honor Clayton’s memory.