On February 2016, days after I started blogging about the loss of our first child, an acquaintance from church got in touch with me. That time, it was almost 2 years since her and her husband lost their firstborn due to the same rare condition we lost ours. We exchanged encouragements and stories with smileys. I asked if they’re already trying to have a second child. They already received clearance from their OB, but they weren’t personally ready yet. From acquaintance, we turned into what’s like a long distance friendship since they now go to a different church location. Yesterday, I read a blog post by TV personality, Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio, where she talks about how things we consume feed and grow our fears, and what we can do so that we don’t allow fear or doubts to steer our lives.

I am saying this today because as much as I would like to help other women who have experienced loss as I did by sharing my story and stories of others, I also want all the moms out there who are expecting and raising their babies to know that not everything that happens to us will also happen to you. – Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio

I read that and remembered my distant friend so I sent her a message. I asked her how she was and I wanted to encourage her, but I ended up getting encouraged myself. She is now 3 months pregnant with a healthy baby! ? You see, our story does not end with our firstborn not coming home with us. Beyond grief, it does get better. God’s not yet done. My friend’s story is just one of so many successful pregnancies and deliveries following the loss of a baby. “Rainbow babies” are what people call the babies born following a miscarriage or still birth, and allow me to add, infant death. I’m sharing this out of excitement for my friend and her husband, as well as out of faith and excitement for when we’ll have our own rainbow baby, and the rainbow babies of all those who went through a similar experience!

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13 NIV

I am the author of the book, When God Could’ve But He Didn’t. I am the happy wife of my happy husband, Pao. As I write this, both of us are happily hoping for at least two more children. I’m excited that the first paperback edition of my book is going to be available soon!