Support for the Thompsons, in Memory of Anna
Donation protected
For Stephanie and Lawrence, Evan & Anna Thompson.
First and foremost, we are so grateful for the amount of love and support our family has received at this time. Your kind messages, offering to help in any way you can, have been a great source of comfort. We believe a donation is the best way we can help Stephanie and Lawrence at this time, and ease some of the burdens they now face.
What You Need to Know:
Our sister, Stephanie, her husband Lawrence and their beautiful three year old boy, Evan are the kindest, most generous family you will find. Their care and devotion to family and friends is inspiring. The amount of love and support they’ve received is a true reflection of the people they are and how they choose to live their life: with open hearts, a positive outlook and belief in others. Our sister, brother-in-law and nephew are the best kind of people.
20 weeks into a very healthy and happy pregnancy, Stephanie suffered a severe placental abruption. On Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at 1:15 pm, Stephanie, Lawrence and Evan lost their dear daughter, little sister, and our niece. Mommy and Daddy held their little girl until she passed away peacefully in their arms. Her name was Anna.
In the name of transparency and authenticity, our sister shared the challenges she was facing with a placental abruption. For more details about her journey, Stephanie’s posts are included at the bottom of this page.
How You Can Help:
To say the Thompsons are heartbroken is an understatement. And the way forward will be as difficult as you can imagine. What you might not know or expect, or even consider, are the next steps and arrangements required after a preterm loss. Parents are faced with making painful decisions regarding funeral arrangements, including the financial requirements involved in organizing and paying for a memorial.
Stephanie and Lawrence dreamed of having a baby girl, and that little girl’s name would be Anna. And when they found out they were going to be parents to a daughter, they envisioned a life drastically different from what they now face. We know times are tough for so many, but if you are able to donate, any amount will help them make it through these next painful steps. The majority of your donations will go towards funeral and burial costs. They will also go towards storing the baby clothes and items kept in preparation for welcoming Anna. These items are too painful to see everyday, but too painful to let go of. Finally, your donation will help their family get back on their feet, with groceries, counselling and with basic daily needs that will be made easier to handle with your help.
According to Evan, their beloved three year old son, he is a boy who “loves people and is a friend to everyone he meets”. He also “loves to hug and say hi to people to make them feel better”. To understand the kind of family the Thompsons are, you need only look to the son they are raising. If there is anything we can do to ease their burden, and help them through this inestimably difficult time, please consider donating.
Words cannot fully express our gratitude for all of the love and support you’ve shown and continue to share.
Love,
Meredith, Lauren and Amanda
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Anna’s Story:
January 3, 2021:
Chapter 1:
Four years ago, Lincoln made his proud announcement that he was going to be a Big Brother to Evan! These two had such a special bond and there is zero doubt that Lincoln has had significant influence on Evan’s goofy, affectionate, loving and definitely mischievous personality. While Lincoln isn't here today, we know this bond has prepared Evan to step into his Big Brother shoes. It is with much excitement and hope that we announce the arrival of Baby Thompson #2 this Spring 2021!
January 21, 2021:
Day 8 - Chapter 2
Last Wednesday, January 13th - at 9:30 PM, I was rushed to St. Joseph’s Emergency Room. I had suffered a large placental abruption at 20 weeks of pregnancy. I required a transfusion and the doctors spent the next few days preparing us mentally for things no person should ever have to experience. By a miracle, my body and my baby held on and yesterday - Wednesday, January 20th at 4:30 PM - we were discharged to be cared for between St Joe’s and McMaster PICU if all continues to stay the course. We didn’t think we would make it this far and we have no idea what tomorrow will bring.
I hesitated to share this with you all in this way. This last week has been the most painful week of my life and it’s an intensely personal journey, one filled with guilt, blame and shame. This is not how pregnancy is portrayed - anywhere. Yet many women go through so much in this process.
But over the last 8 days, my life has been utterly filled with love. Our village has shown up and supported us in prayer, food, Amazon parcel after Amazon parcel and so much love. The signs of hope from this energy have been seen and I believe in my gut that our village has saved us and gotten us this far.
Social media has its pros and cons. It’s a place of judgement and it’s not often a place for what’s actually real. But we are real. All of us. We all experience heartbreak, pain, loneliness and loss and if you know me, I have chosen to live my life in vulnerability with the hope I can share, support and free others to feel and connect authentically with themselves and one another.
At this time, we have no idea where this journey will take us. We hopefully have a long 4 months ahead of bedrest, praying, watching my son grow while growing my baby safely inside me. But this won’t be linear and we need all the strength that we can to get us through.
My daughter's name is Anna. I want you all to know who she is - because she’s real and she’s strong and healthy and she’s beautiful. She fills me with hope and courage just as my Evan has.
No matter where this journey takes us, she always will.
To my tribe, thank you for getting us this far. To my sister and my Lawrence for rotating hospital shifts. Sitting beside me, crying beside me, facing Covid fears, colouring, singing, telling me stories, braiding my hair. To my parents and and parents in law, Lauren, Amanda and David - for smothering Evan and I in love and everything else in between. To my Evan, for handling this better than I could have ever expected. You amaze me in every possible way a Mother could be amazed and I am so beyond proud of you. You are all my rocks and your love is immeasurable. To my friends and family, for constantly checking on me, writing me, praying for us, sending me gifts, sending us food. Your combined energy has saved us and gotten us here, this I know for sure. And to the essential workers - so many people I’ve met and stories I’ve heard this last week. Stay home and stay the course for them.
So yes, this is not your conventional social media post and I know it’s not for everyone. But this is Anna’s story and it deserves to be read and reflected upon. I want this date to always be marked. I want these words to be out in the world. Go smother your children in love. Reach out to your family, friends and neighbours. Give blood. Wear the damn mask. Count your blessings. It’s a hard world right now but there will be light on the other side of this. Lean on people when you need to. Be real with your feelings. Don’t keep them inside. It’s not a measure of strength, it’s just not. Quiet isn’t always peace.
And please, keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we enter Chapter 2.
Love,
Steph, Lawrence, Evan and Anna
January 29, 2021:
As many of you know, I had a severe placental abruption on Wednesday, January 13. One of the risk factors of something like this is early labour. On Tuesday, January 26th, Anna Patricia Thompson was born at 1:15 PM. She died in our arms and we were able to spend some time on earth together.
Anna was named after my two sisters because we so wanted to give our Evan the love of a sibling. We have been grateful for all the love and support through this journey. One day I will write this story, but for now we grieve through this immeasurable loss and heartache.
Anna, you will always be our girl and we will always love you.
First and foremost, we are so grateful for the amount of love and support our family has received at this time. Your kind messages, offering to help in any way you can, have been a great source of comfort. We believe a donation is the best way we can help Stephanie and Lawrence at this time, and ease some of the burdens they now face.
What You Need to Know:
Our sister, Stephanie, her husband Lawrence and their beautiful three year old boy, Evan are the kindest, most generous family you will find. Their care and devotion to family and friends is inspiring. The amount of love and support they’ve received is a true reflection of the people they are and how they choose to live their life: with open hearts, a positive outlook and belief in others. Our sister, brother-in-law and nephew are the best kind of people.
20 weeks into a very healthy and happy pregnancy, Stephanie suffered a severe placental abruption. On Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at 1:15 pm, Stephanie, Lawrence and Evan lost their dear daughter, little sister, and our niece. Mommy and Daddy held their little girl until she passed away peacefully in their arms. Her name was Anna.
In the name of transparency and authenticity, our sister shared the challenges she was facing with a placental abruption. For more details about her journey, Stephanie’s posts are included at the bottom of this page.
How You Can Help:
To say the Thompsons are heartbroken is an understatement. And the way forward will be as difficult as you can imagine. What you might not know or expect, or even consider, are the next steps and arrangements required after a preterm loss. Parents are faced with making painful decisions regarding funeral arrangements, including the financial requirements involved in organizing and paying for a memorial.
Stephanie and Lawrence dreamed of having a baby girl, and that little girl’s name would be Anna. And when they found out they were going to be parents to a daughter, they envisioned a life drastically different from what they now face. We know times are tough for so many, but if you are able to donate, any amount will help them make it through these next painful steps. The majority of your donations will go towards funeral and burial costs. They will also go towards storing the baby clothes and items kept in preparation for welcoming Anna. These items are too painful to see everyday, but too painful to let go of. Finally, your donation will help their family get back on their feet, with groceries, counselling and with basic daily needs that will be made easier to handle with your help.
According to Evan, their beloved three year old son, he is a boy who “loves people and is a friend to everyone he meets”. He also “loves to hug and say hi to people to make them feel better”. To understand the kind of family the Thompsons are, you need only look to the son they are raising. If there is anything we can do to ease their burden, and help them through this inestimably difficult time, please consider donating.
Words cannot fully express our gratitude for all of the love and support you’ve shown and continue to share.
Love,
Meredith, Lauren and Amanda
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Anna’s Story:
January 3, 2021:
Chapter 1:
Four years ago, Lincoln made his proud announcement that he was going to be a Big Brother to Evan! These two had such a special bond and there is zero doubt that Lincoln has had significant influence on Evan’s goofy, affectionate, loving and definitely mischievous personality. While Lincoln isn't here today, we know this bond has prepared Evan to step into his Big Brother shoes. It is with much excitement and hope that we announce the arrival of Baby Thompson #2 this Spring 2021!
January 21, 2021:
Day 8 - Chapter 2
Last Wednesday, January 13th - at 9:30 PM, I was rushed to St. Joseph’s Emergency Room. I had suffered a large placental abruption at 20 weeks of pregnancy. I required a transfusion and the doctors spent the next few days preparing us mentally for things no person should ever have to experience. By a miracle, my body and my baby held on and yesterday - Wednesday, January 20th at 4:30 PM - we were discharged to be cared for between St Joe’s and McMaster PICU if all continues to stay the course. We didn’t think we would make it this far and we have no idea what tomorrow will bring.
I hesitated to share this with you all in this way. This last week has been the most painful week of my life and it’s an intensely personal journey, one filled with guilt, blame and shame. This is not how pregnancy is portrayed - anywhere. Yet many women go through so much in this process.
But over the last 8 days, my life has been utterly filled with love. Our village has shown up and supported us in prayer, food, Amazon parcel after Amazon parcel and so much love. The signs of hope from this energy have been seen and I believe in my gut that our village has saved us and gotten us this far.
Social media has its pros and cons. It’s a place of judgement and it’s not often a place for what’s actually real. But we are real. All of us. We all experience heartbreak, pain, loneliness and loss and if you know me, I have chosen to live my life in vulnerability with the hope I can share, support and free others to feel and connect authentically with themselves and one another.
At this time, we have no idea where this journey will take us. We hopefully have a long 4 months ahead of bedrest, praying, watching my son grow while growing my baby safely inside me. But this won’t be linear and we need all the strength that we can to get us through.
My daughter's name is Anna. I want you all to know who she is - because she’s real and she’s strong and healthy and she’s beautiful. She fills me with hope and courage just as my Evan has.
No matter where this journey takes us, she always will.
To my tribe, thank you for getting us this far. To my sister and my Lawrence for rotating hospital shifts. Sitting beside me, crying beside me, facing Covid fears, colouring, singing, telling me stories, braiding my hair. To my parents and and parents in law, Lauren, Amanda and David - for smothering Evan and I in love and everything else in between. To my Evan, for handling this better than I could have ever expected. You amaze me in every possible way a Mother could be amazed and I am so beyond proud of you. You are all my rocks and your love is immeasurable. To my friends and family, for constantly checking on me, writing me, praying for us, sending me gifts, sending us food. Your combined energy has saved us and gotten us here, this I know for sure. And to the essential workers - so many people I’ve met and stories I’ve heard this last week. Stay home and stay the course for them.
So yes, this is not your conventional social media post and I know it’s not for everyone. But this is Anna’s story and it deserves to be read and reflected upon. I want this date to always be marked. I want these words to be out in the world. Go smother your children in love. Reach out to your family, friends and neighbours. Give blood. Wear the damn mask. Count your blessings. It’s a hard world right now but there will be light on the other side of this. Lean on people when you need to. Be real with your feelings. Don’t keep them inside. It’s not a measure of strength, it’s just not. Quiet isn’t always peace.
And please, keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we enter Chapter 2.
Love,
Steph, Lawrence, Evan and Anna
January 29, 2021:
As many of you know, I had a severe placental abruption on Wednesday, January 13. One of the risk factors of something like this is early labour. On Tuesday, January 26th, Anna Patricia Thompson was born at 1:15 PM. She died in our arms and we were able to spend some time on earth together.
Anna was named after my two sisters because we so wanted to give our Evan the love of a sibling. We have been grateful for all the love and support through this journey. One day I will write this story, but for now we grieve through this immeasurable loss and heartache.
Anna, you will always be our girl and we will always love you.
Organizer and beneficiary
Meredith Busteed
Organizer
Toronto, ON
Lawrence Thompson
Beneficiary