Creating a Legacy – Why I Chair the Florida Walk

October 12, 2016, the words every parent is unprepared to hear were spoken, “I’m sorry, there is no heartbeat”. Inducing labor began immediately and took nearly 48 hours, over the course of those two days so many decisions had to be made. It was during this time we were told about Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. Skeptical at first, we declined.

That all changed on October 14, 2016; Jakob Angelo Rivera born silently was the most beautiful thing we had ever seen. All 2lbs 1oz of him; he looked just like his Daddy.

As we spent time cuddling our precious boy we knew we wanted to remember every detail from his head to his perfect little toes. It was then we changed our mind and had pictures taken of Jakob and sent them to Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. It was a decision that we will cherish and be grateful of for the rest of our lives.

In early 2017, NILMDTS announced that they were bringing their Remembrance Walk to Florida for the first time. It just so happened that the walk and my college graduation was scheduled on the same day. It was an easy choice, my family would participate in the walk instead of going to the graduation ceremony. We raised over $2,000 as a family, participated in the presentation and released a butterfly, as well as walked. Being around so many families who had experienced the devastation of losing a child, was comforting only in that I knew we were not alone. I shared a bond with these Mothers. I wanted to be able to do more but I didn’t know how. The answer to that question came in 2018 when I was asked to be the Walk Coordinator for Florida. I am proud and honored to help put on this wonderful event for families that look just like mine.