Happy Friday: Devoted to Dylan
Sent from reader, Jen:
I’ve written to you a couple times before about good deals that I’ve found, but I wanted to say thank you again and show you what I’ve been doing with the deals you’ve shown me. My husband and I had a beautiful baby boy last August. Dylan faced many struggles and we said goodbye on Oct 17th, after only two short months. (This is the VERY abbreviated story) Our son has inspired us to do so much more than we ever imagined.
We formed a March of Dimes team, Devoted to Dylan, and raised over $33,000 and finished 9th in the country. And with coupons, I have been buying shampoo, toothpaste, etc and making family care packages to donate to our local Children’s hospital (where Dylan was SO wonderfully cared for) that I’m calling Devoted to Dylan Family Packs. I just wanted you to know that you are helping me create these packs in honor of our sweet baby and wanted to thank you. I know that you like to post happy/upbeat stories on Fridays and I thought this was a good one 🙂
* For more about Jen’s story, check out her blog or click here.
HAPPY FRIDAY! 😀
Do you have a funny, “Hip”, or unique photo to share?! Email us at happyfriday@hip2save(dot)com. Every Friday, I will post one photo, submitted by you and/or another Hip2Save reader, that gives us a glimpse into your frugal lifestyle or simply makes us smile. If your photo is published on Hip2Save, we’ll email you a $10 Amazon e-card!
** Check out all of the previous Happy Friday pictures here.
Jen..your story made me cry. ;-( i can not imagine how u got through…you turned your sorrow to be a blessing to others..God bless your heart and your family. This is truly the best story that i have read at hip2save .Such an inspiring story. Thank you for sharing the story with us!
You are embodying the paramount of human beauty by resurrecting a personal tragedy into life-saving aid to others (and have no doubt – I read your blog – by donating your milk you have saved COUNTLESS precious babies). I am so sorry for your loss and admire your strength and ability to turn your tragedy into something positive! God bless, keep on keeping on 🙂
Wow! What an amazing story. I’m so glad that you can use your couponing to bless so many others. What a selfless attitude to have. God bless you, and your little boy up in heaven.
With tears of both empathy and pride in my eyes, I want to thank Jen & her husband Patrick for sharing their story (& Collin for passing it on to us). What a story of inspiration in the face of trial. We recently lost both our dear twins & know that only you can truly know what you’re going through, but I want to send you (((hugs))) which are always needed no matter how long it’s been. What strength & wisdom you have to have found the silver lining in all of this with your fund raising, gift packages (which I KNOW are so very appreciated by the recipients), and amazing loving breastmilk donations (which are such a real blessing to the recipient children) in addition to caring for your & your husband’s delicate emotional needs & daily life. I’m sure Dylan would be so proud of what you’re doing & your loving courage in all of this. You’re amazing parents, & I hope for the day you see your precious Dylan again in Paradise. (Rev. 21:4; John 3:16; 5:28,29)
I hope you don’t mind Jen, but I want to quote something you said on your blog that is so important so true & deserves being repeated here:
“I recently had dinner with a friend of mine from high school and she asked what to say (in similar situations to ours).
Are you listening?
Because this is important
The age old “If you don’t have anything nice to say yada yada” doesn’t fit here.
If you say NOTHING, it’s like you’re not there, or you’re avoiding us.
If you can’t think of anything, say “I’m sorry” and give them a hug.
Invite them over for dinner and show them that you care.
Doing nothing can actually hurt more than you would think. We’ve actually lost friends because they never contacted us after Dylan died. And it’s true, you really learn who your friends are during a tragedy (as cliché as that sounds, its true).”
I recently spoke with a friend shared with her that it helps me to talk about our twins & acknowledge their existance but since it’s been x number of months, no one speaks to us about it anymore. She confided that she thinks of us and our lost twins all the time & still tears up about it but didn’t know if/how to still say something. I told her that what she said alone meant so much and just the sincere acknowledgement is all that’s needed. I hope these stories can also help other friends/relatives of those enduring a loss to not hold back. And likewise to Jen & Patrick, my heart goes out to you. I’m so sorry for your loss of your precious son.
This is so very true indeed! When you lose someone or suffer any other painful situation and people “avoid” you…..the indifference hurts so very much! I have struggled with this dilemma and although my husband tells me to “forget about it Mel, they weren’t your real friends anyway!” it does nothing to console me.
God Bless Jen and her family for all they have endured and still find strength to help others! THE WORLD NEEDS MORE OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rebecca, are you a Sister? 🙂
Thank you for sharing your life and sweet pictures of your little angel. Touched my heart. Thoughts and prayers from our family to yours in this trying time. May God bless and keep you strong.
what a great thing for you to do! My son only had a bried stay in the NICU, but I can tell you that your bags will be a blessing for those there, because I went straight to the hospital which was over an house away without packing a thing just to be with my son, and then had to fend for myself after I got there! God Bless You and your family!
You are truly a beautiful couple. May the blessings you share, return to you 10 fold.
May God be with you and your family. I am sorry for your loss. What a beautiful way to remember your little boy! I am sure the families you have helped greatly appreciate it.
This is an inspiring and beautiful story Jen. Collin, thanks for sharing this with your readers. God bless you Jen and Patrick.
Wow, this couple is amazing! Your little angel is beautiful! God bless your family!
Jen- thank you so much for sharing your story with all of us. It is by far my most favorite “Happy Friday” post of all time. Thank you doing what you’re doing for the MOD’s & passing blessings forwards. You will be added to my thoughts & prayers list. Carry on with your amazing work.
Inspiring. Thank you for sharing and your wonderful examples.
Wow, Iam crying right now , beautifully written , I can feel ur pain , god has helped u come out of all this and he has made u even more stronger .
Hats off !!! Jen for all the amazing things u r doing . God Bless You and your Family !!
Thanx Collin for the inspiring story .
This story is really amazing…it makes me believe in the good of people. I’m so sorry for your loss but you are doing something really nice for other people. Thanks for sharing.
What a beautiful story and wonderful way to honor your sweet son, by helping other families going through similar circumstances. Sending hugs to you and your family Jen!
Wow! That’s all I got….and thank you!
Bless you! Thank you for sharing, and for everything else you have done.
Jen, thank you so much for sharing your story and the beautiful pictures of your family. I am so sorry for your loss. You are a very loving, generous, and caring person. Thank you for blessing others.
May God bless this lovely couple and their family the very best in life!! Our sincere prayers are with you…
Sorry for your loss… God Bless your Heart…
Jen, thank you for sharing your story. I can only imagine what you went through and are going through with the loss of your dear Dylan. Words cannot describe, but what you and your husband are doing shows how strong you both are. It is amazing what you both are doing. I know that the families recieving The Devoted to Dylan Packs and the breast milk must feel so greatful to you and your husband. I’ve seen the smile in parents and childrens faces when they recieve a gift that had been donated specially for them. That one smile makes all the difference in the world. Bringing joy to them for atleast that one moment in time. You know first hand, children are so resilient in times of trial. I have a little one that finished her cancer treatment two weeks ago and I know the burden one feels for their baby, watching how they endure the toughest treatments. But I have faith in this, Isaiah 41:13. And I can only hope for you and your husband to one day be able to see your child again. (John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15)
Thank you again Jen and Hip2Save for sharing such a wonderfull story and for all that you do =)
Jen I LOVED your comment about keeping the baby as long as you could, that you could do that much for your child. I wish more were as courageous and wise as you. You are blessing so many people with your love for Dylan. Best of the faith to you and your sweet family! Thanks for sharing your story!
I am so sorry, and as I sit here in at my computer I stretch my arms out to embrace your family. You, your husband, and Dylan have blessed many along with my self with your story. Too often we don’t see the things we take for granted but today I do and tomorrow will be different. Thank you!
I am so happy that you shared your great story about your wonderful son. I know that God is with you and your wonderful family. Thank you so much for sharing your story. That is such a great idea and I hope that we can all take a look at what we have and learn to give more and take less in life and really be grateful for the great things that God has blessed us with. Thank you
So sad. You are an angel for your strength. God bless.
I am truly touched thank you for sharing your wonderful inspiring story. Bless you and your family.
Thank you for sharing your story. My heart aches for you. My first son, Derrick, passed away after 32 days in the NICU in December 2010, and I think about him every day and I love to share stories of him! It is wonderful that you are doing something so positive to carry forward Dylan’s memory.
So sorry for the loss of your beautiful boy, I will never understand why these events happen… I could cry for days about it. The photos you have are beautiful, looks right from a magazine. Thanks for sharing your story and for the work you are doing to help others.
God bless you. You are an amazing person. Thank you for sharing.
I hope that you can remember that families are meant to be together forever, through out the eternities. You’ll be reunited and you’ll have more time with him than you ever imagined. I hope you and your family can have peace and comfort.
Thank you for showing us that every baby is a perfect gift
God Bless you and your family!!!!!
I am going through a tough time right now so I look in many places for inspiration and encouragement. Stories like this remind me that my problems are nothing compared to what others have to endure. Jen and her husband reflect true FAITH to me and encourage me to not dwell on my problems but to seek out ways to help those who are in need. Thank You for your beautiful story. I know that Dylan is an Angel in heaven and is so proud of his beautiful parents.
Jen..thank you so much for sharing your story with Collin and us Hipsters..may you be blessed as you continue your project in Dylan’s memory. You surely are an Angel and an Angel is on your Shoulder!
Thank you so much for sharing your story! God bless your journey and I’m sure Dylan is smiling down on you!
you are awesome! that is EXACTLY why i coupon, to donate and help families in need! if you ever need any help with donations, please feel free to contact me. i am a part of a huge couponing team in northern colorado! couponkris.colorado@yahoo.com
Praying for you and your husband.
bless you and your family!! thank you for sharing.
what a wonderful family!
God Bless you and your family – sorry for you loss for you beautiful son. thanks for sharing. Many more blessing are coming your way….
Jen, Thank you for sharing your story. I wish you could have spent more time with your little boy. You are amazing and I am sure Dylan is very proud of his Mama!
Best Friday post ever. What an amazing story and family!
Jen, i am sorry for your loss and wish you would have more time to spend with your little angel. God bless you and your husband for helping others!
How wonderful you have used the precious life of your son to benefit others going through the same thing. Every life matters!!!! His life is having an amazing impact on others. What a beautiful little person! Praise God for his life!
Just beautiful. Thank you.
My heart goes out to you…how unnatural and how tragic is the loss you suffered. I dont know how you are finding the strength, let alone to make a tremendious difference in the lives of others. You are an inspiration and I pray for your peace and strength.
God bless you!
God Bless you forever and ever!