A while back, I wrote a post called Grace about my nephew Mark, born with anencephaly and my niece Colby, born with Trisomy-18. When babies like Mark and Colby become a part of your life, you grieve; in your grieving, you look for ways to honor their brief lives.
My sister-in-law Melissa just told me about a great thing that has begun at the hospital where Colby was born: Aidan’s Book Corner.
Aidan’s mom is Maggie. Aidan and Colby were born the same week at Community North Hospital in Indianapolis. He passed away at 8 days from a massive brain bleed.
Maggie and Melissa began going to grief support meetings at the hospital in March 2010 and became very close.
They went through grief training and are both now volunteers at the hospital in the Open Arms bereavement department. Aidan’s Book Corner is something Maggie started to honor her son because they read to him in the hospital everyday. New books are collected, and there is a cart that someone takes around the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for parents to choose a special book to keep for their baby. Barnes and Noble is now also involved and people are able to donate books directly at the a few of the local stores.
Maggie and Melissa and everyone involved in Aidan’s Book Corner are working to create a National Aidan’s Book Corner Day and have chosen February 1 for the date.
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say International. Canada and Australia, I’m looking at you!
Here’s where you come in:
Donate a brand new children’s book to your local Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Please Tweet it, pass it on, email it, or facebook it. We want this to be an amazing day across the country, where parents in the NICU will feel a little support from the heart of someone who cares.
Every single act of kindness has monumental impact when your baby is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Don’t underestimate the power of a small, good thing; this is a great way to honor the lives of Aidan, Colby, Mark, and the countless other babies who shared with us a brief and beautiful grace.
JM Randolph, accidentalstepmom 
Thank you-Aidan’s mom
Beautiful, and I love the idea. My nephews were NICU babies for 18 days and my other nephew had a higher-than-average prenatal chance of T-18. I’m letting my sisters know about this effort, along with lots of other people. Hugs to Maggie and all moms like her!
What a beautiful and wonderful thing to do for people dealing with that kind of situation. You are right, a small act of kindness can mean the world to someone struggling with pain and heartache. This is a great cause, and I hope it becomes a world wide phenomenon. Good luck!!
Very special. I have shared everywhere I can. Hope it helps!
What a beautiful cause. Good work, all of you!
My nephew’s daughter has had too much experience with children’s hospitals over her wonderful heart. One year at Christmas I suggested we all bring new books for Phoenix Children’s Hospital, since we long before gave up gift exchanges. It was so much fun, I think it’s time to do it again! I’ll alert the family. Thanks, Julie. Reading to any child is a gift they will never forget, but reading to a sick child is a gift for both the reader and the listener. God bless.
What a beautiful idea!