A dress for Florence

11:59 am


A dress for Florence, originally uploaded by indiaeden.

I've pondered writing this post, writing the post that is going to move my beautiful baby down the page is not an easy one. Actually writing here at all isn't easy.
I wish I had the gift for writing that I often see on other blogs, but this blog was never about my (lack of) writing skill. This blog was a fluffy happy place to come and share my love of sewing and crafts.
I'd imagined writing my birth announcement, and sharing all the outfits I'd planned to make with that stash of girly fabrics I'd been saving just in case.
As I showered hastily while Woody washed Florence (she had very kindly pooped all over both of us), I excitedly composed that birth announcement in my head. I didn't know that only moments later we'd be speeding to hospital in an ambulance...
I miss my beautiful baby girl more than anyone will ever know, we all do.
I sewed this dress for her just three days after she died. I barely remember sewing it, but I knew I wanted my precious girl to be wearing something Mummy made for our goodbyes.
Florence was buried on 7th August in a beautiful grave side service.

".....One moonlight night, the fairies came
flying in at the window, and brought her
such a pretty pair of wings, that she could
not help putting them on: and she flew with
them out of the window, and over the land,
and over the sea, and up through the clouds..."

from "The Water Babies" by Charles Kingsley

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32 comments

  1. Oh God, I have prayed for you and for your family and for dear, beautiful little Florence. What a lovely, precious dress you gave her, and what lovely, precious hours you gave each other.

    I am so sorry you had to say goodbye.

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  2. I think about you all every day Jeanette. It is a beautiful dress - she is loved and remembered.

    Vanessa

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  3. Please know that I have been thinking and praying for your family during your absence. That dress is beautiful!

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  4. What a beautiful dress. Sending you lots of love, Jeanette. xxxx Fiona

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  5. A beautiful dress and a beautiful poem that brought me to tears.

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  6. It's the most beautiful dress I've ever seen.

    Another tear falls.

    I know what you mean about the fluffy fabulous place your blog is...I feel that too.
    It's strange how every second is so slow when you've lost, but how much you actually forget. Like a haze of devestation.
    I'm so sorry you had to say goodbye. That is a lovely piece of writing you've quoted.
    Perhaps in time, you will find solace once more in making things.

    All my love to you all,
    AM
    xx

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  7. Beautiful dress Jeanette, thinking of you.

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  8. The dress is beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us. Many hugs.

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  9. That is a beautiful dress and you are such a brave woman to have made it when you must have been hurting so badly. Such a very loved baby and no matter how many posts you have on your blog, she won't ever be forgotten.

    Pippa
    xxxx

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  10. Been thinking of and praying for you lots. What a beautiful dress for your beautiful girl.

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  11. I think about you everyday when I drive to my mum's house and see yours. I wish I knew you well enough to come and give you a real life hug - but instead I send you cyber ones. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
    xxx

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  12. I think of you, your family and your beautiful Florence each and every day. The dress is beautiful and Florence was a lucky, lucky girl to have such a wonderful family to share her short time with.
    Florence may move down but she has touched so many hearts that she will never be forgotten.
    xx

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  13. Jeanette, no words are adequate but you're in my thoughts every day. The dress is beautiful and made with so much love. Your hands and body will remember the making of it even if your mind was elsewhere. So much love and care was put into the preparations for Florence's arrival in all the things you have made and shared with us that it feels as though all of us have lost her in some small way. She is loved and remembered by many and you and your family are in many hearts as we remember Florence's brief stay in this world.

    Hannah xx

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  14. Oh m'love, hugs and hugs and hugs and kisses XXX

    I think about you every day, and wish you all the strength you need to reach that place where your first thoughts are happy thoughts, celebrations of a beautiful little girl and not sadness first.
    I wish you comfort and peace and no heartache.

    You take care m'dear.
    Much love Tracy M

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  15. It's a beautiful dress Jeanette. Thank you for sharing it with us. I think about you all so much. Lots of of love xxx

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  16. Such a beautiful dress. Love you.
    Maxine

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  17. Jeanette, you & your family have been in my thoughts every day (( ))

    A beautiful dress for such a beautiful girl...

    Jo xxx

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  18. Beautiful dress, beautiful words. I can hardly see for tears! You are a wonderful, beautiful, brave mama. xx

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  20. Oh Jeanette! What a beautiful way to say goodbye to Florence. The dress is, literally, heavenly, and the words sublime.
    Lots of love
    Rachel x

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  21. Oh Jeanette! What a beautiful way to say goodbye to Florence. The dress is, literally, heavenly, and the words sublime.
    Lots of love
    Rachel x

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  22. I cannot begin to imagine how hard it was for you to write this post (((hugs)))

    It is a beautiful dress for your beautiful girl.

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  23. It's a beautiful dress Jeanette and you are so very brave. I don't know how you move from this place. Sending you many many thoughts and love.

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  24. What a perfect farewell present for your little daughter. She's touched so many lives in her short one, I think of you all with great sadness every day. You shouldn't have to go through this Jeanette, it's so unfair. But the love you have for her will mean she is very much alive in essence and spirit, always. So much love to you all.

    Katherine xxxxxx

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  25. Although I don't know you, I have thought of you often and wept with you over the loss of Florence. This post too has moved me to tears. A beautiful dress for your beautiful baby girl.

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  26. Have been thinking of you and yours such a lot Jeanette. What a gorgeous gift for your precious daughter - made with love.

    Amber x

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  27. Florence might move further down the page but she will never move from my thoughts. And every year on birthday I will think of hers xxxx
    It is such a beautiful dress.
    You do 1000 better on your blog than I ever do on mine! btw.
    Love Larissa

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  28. What a beautiful dress. I'm so sorry you had to say goodbye :(

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  29. It is such a lovely dress. My love and thoughts to you and your family.

    xxLela

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  30. Anonymous10:59 pm

    I came across your blog by accident and the first post was about your beautiful Florence - I keep checking in to see how you are - you dont know me but I feel so deeply for you and your family - How brave you are - what a beautiful dress and what a beautiful baby Florence was xxxx

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  31. Like others have said, Florence may move down the page but she will always be here, and in your heart. A beautiful dress, and a beautiful piece of writing.
    Sarah (angeltots)

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  32. I think of you, Florence & your family everyday. I thank you all for sharing her with us, with me.
    Nicky
    x
    Mum of Many

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