Behind the Name: Jennica
NOTE: The Jennica Shells were originally not named for anyone in particular. Then we received a message from Linda with her heartbreaking, yet uplifting, story. After hearing Linda’s story, the design team decided to dedicate the Jennica Shells both to Linda and her little angel. It is our honor to do so. Here is Linda’s story, in her own words.
Tears came to my eyes the first time I read that there were September Miche Shells named Jennica.
I had gone into labor on a Friday, and did not know [anything was wrong] until three hours before delivery. The doctor said, “Linda, I’m worried; I don’t think your baby is alive.” How does one hear those words? They were words of reality since there was no heartbeat. Our precious baby girl, Jennica Mariah, was born silently on Saturday morning, October 18, 1997 at 39 weeks. She was 4 pounds, 10 ounces, and 17 1/2 inches long. How was I going to tell Jennica’s then four year-old brother, 15 year-old sister and 18 year-old brother their baby sister would not be coming home? No one plans on saying “goodbye” so soon, because they expect to be saying “welcome” to this world.
The day of Jennica’s funeral was a very nice day where we lived at that time. Snow was predicted, but thankfully it waited until that evening before it began. When we got up the next morning, there were four to five plus inches of the most beautiful snow I think I have ever seen, full of rainbow “glitter.”
We drove to the cemetery late that morning expecting to see Jennica’s grave area covered with white. The small and narrow road way had not yet been cleared of snow, and there were not any signs of shoveling. As we got out of the van and walked through the snow to the grave there were no other tracks of any kind. What we saw as we approached Jennica’s grave area came only from above. The entire area of her grave had absolutely no snow lying on the ground—none—not one flake. The roses from her casket were lying on the cold ground and should have been frozen from the night’s bitter air. They were not, but looked as fresh as they were on her casket the day before! That was the first of many “signs” to come for comfort and healing.
There truly is hope for all women and families going through miscarriage and infant loss. My broken and shattered heart has mended as best it can through the years because of my deep faith, trust, and belief in God. My peace also comes from knowing that Jennica lives forever in the arms of Jesus while her spirit lives on with her family. We will see her again someday because we know heaven is a very real and forever eternal home.
This fall, Jennica will be 16 in heaven. She would be a sophomore in high school and a smile does come to me as I can picture Jennica walking with her namesake Hip Bag over her shoulder. What an honor to share our baby Jennica with Miche! Thank you.
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