Colin's Memorial Orchard & Birthday Fundraiser

Audrey Watson is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

In Loving Memory of Colin Adam Watson

On May 24th, 2019 - at 31 weeks pregnant - our son Colin died and was stillborn.

We shared plans at his memorial to start a small orchard on our farm, in his memory - something that we could care for and watch grow in his place. A space to gather, a space to remember, a space to share. And now - 5 years later - it finally feels like the right time to plant what we promised him.

Many friends and family shared at Colin's memorial - and have continued to share over the years - their wish to support Colin's orchard and sponsor a tree. So we figured this was the simplest way to gather donations. Once the trees are purchased - we'll be starting with 8 trees: peaches, apples, cherries, plum and pear - we will donate any remaining money to:

University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health, Family Birthplace - where Colin was delivered, and where we received the most thoughtful, warm, and tender care. Donations will go towards funding the memory boxes that the wonderful nurses put together for grieving families. Walking out of the hospital without your baby is absolute shit. These boxes give otherwise empty arms something to hold on to, which is a small comfort.

Harkins Funeral Home - handing Colin over to the funeral director, from a hospital bed less than 24 hours after he was born, was beyond excruciating, and we were (and continue to be) incredibly grateful for the kindness and compassion that we were met with in that moment. The team at Harkins treated our son (and our family) with such care and dignity, from the moment we put Colin in their arms, to when we picked up his urn. Colin's cremation was complimentary through their "Gone Too Soon Program" which covers services for infants and toddlers. Donations will help ensure that other families continue to be met with Harkins' caring touch, and are unburdened by funeral costs during the tragic death of their child(ren).

CountTheKicks.org - a wonderful organization that teaches the importance of tracking your baby's movement during the third trimester. CTK debunks myths like "babies run out of room and move less towards the end" and empowers parents to speak up if they notice a change in their baby's patterns. Their information and resources have reduced stillbirths and saved hundreds of babies nationwide. Though we'll never know if Colin's death could have been avoided, I do believe that if we had been educated on the risk of stillbirth, I could have advocated better for him, and for myself. Maybe that would have been enough to save him.

From the moment we sat in front of a motionless ultrasound screen, our family has been met with the most considerate empathy, the sweetest expressions of love, and incredibly unwavering support. When our world was ripped apart, the kindness shared with us was - has been - continues to be - such a gift. We are beyond grateful for everyone who has been there for our family, and for everyone who will be still. And though "thank you" doesn't quite seem like enough, THANK YOU. Thank you for loving us. And thank you from my heart - my soul - for loving, for remembering, and for honoring our dear Colin.

Donate