"On our way to school in late April, my daughter Ellis was not her normal, chipper self. Typically, she sings songs or makes faces at her baby brother Adler to gain a smile or a laugh from him. After a few glances in my rearview, I noticed she seemed to be in deep thought as she stared out the window. She caught my eye in the mirror and succinctly said, 'Mommy, it’s about time you told me more about how Ryker died.'

I was never expecting the conversation that followed her request, the questions, and the hurt that I had in my heart for her to know loss at such an early age. An immense loss that we have all felt since June 20, 2020, when my beautiful baby boy, Ryker, was born without a heartbeat at 37 weeks and entered into Heaven.

“Did Ryker suffer?”

“Did he die on a cross like Jesus did?”

“Does it hurt when you die?”

“Mommy, did your belly button not act right?” (After me explaining Ryker died from an accident with the umbilical cord).

I did the best I could, but I was shaking. Was I saying too much? Was I not saying enough? Am I speaking to her in a way that she understands, all while not frightening her? Is she too young to know this much about death? My mind was whirling.

After that emotional morning I called The Caring House. By the next week, we were at the precious little cottage with the blue door, participating in play therapy and talking through ways to process our emotions. Ellis made a sand jar with colorful layers to represent her family members, picked out a stuffed animal, and added her sweet thumbprint on a tree where other kiddos who have lost a special someone in their lives had the opportunity to do the same. I left feeling more equipped to answer the hard questions, and she left with a genuine smile on her face.

Our little city is so fortunate to have this resource at our fingertips, and best of all it’s free. Huntsville Hospital Foundation saw a need and took action, and i am amazed at how well done it is. I hope you will join me in supporting this incredible program so it can help more kids like my Ellis."

- Lacey Schoff

2023 Giving Tuesday