Hope in the midst of loss is the key to the success of Still Missed, a compassionate program offered by Adventist Health System Midwest Region for parents who experience miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal loss. The program began 17 years ago at Hinsdale Hospital and has expanded to include La Grange Memorial and Glen Oaks Hospital patients. The program’s caring team—chaplains, staff volunteers, and trained grief counselors—model Christ’s love. These words of parents taken from recent thank you notes describe their journey of faith.

“Still Missed gave us hope that our lives would become normal again.”

“What does it feel like when grief starts to wane? It becomes not so much about surviving one day to the next. It has become a feeling of overwhelming love for my baby without as much loss attached to it. … The biggest gift my baby gave to me was the ability to see and feel the beautiful mystery of my faith. … I am convinced that during my suffering and sorrow, my soul has been indelibly imprinted by God. He entered my soul and will never leave it.”

“Having someone so kind, caring, and knowledgeable help us was the best we could hope for during the loss of our baby. We are so glad for the pictures, dress, blanket, foot and handprints, and teddy bear. It was so nice having someone else treat our baby with such specialness.”

This support program provides an invaluable service that parents say family members and friends just can’t fill. “The Still Missed staff members are truly gifts from God! Without their love and continuous support, my family and I would not be in such a good frame of mind. I know that God was watching over us.

“Their caring and warm words have helped us cope with so many issues regarding our loss. The resources available were also very helpful. We truly value all the services of your program—especially the phone calls.”

The Still Missed program holds monthly support meetings for parents, as well as separate meetings for grandparents, and offers an interpreter for Hispanic parents.

“It is extremely helpful and comforting to be able to meet with people. Still Missed has been an integral part of our grieving process since our loss.”

“The support, care, concern, empathy from the Still Missed program was outstanding. I found the followup phone calls, sympathy cards, call at my due date, and other calls just to check in with me or to remind me of upcoming meetings, very helpful.”

According to Rosmarie Roose, R.N., a coordinator of the program for the past 16 years, many families later call with good news about subsequent births. “They share this information, forever remembering the babies they have lost, but with deep gratitude and thanks for the support they received.”

Lynn Larson, Adventist Health System Midwest Region Lake Union Herald correspondent