| |
This memorial website was created in the memory of a little angel that God loaned us for 52 minutes. James Walter Chasteen born February 28, 2005 was a little trooper. James was diagnosed with a neural tube defect and we made the gut wrenching decision to induce labor. The wonderful staff at Mercy Fairfield in Fairfield prepared us for the fact that the chances of James being born "still" were greater then the chances of him being born alive. I think we all prayed to God, but as James' mother I prayed and bargained for two and a half days and asked God for two minutes, I was blessed with 52 and I will forever be grateful to God for those 52 minutes. Those precious minutes were spent loving and holding this angel. James looked so peaceful and his death was so quiet and peaceful that we weren't even sure of the exact moment that he passed away. Those few minutes with James gave us a lifetime of memories to hold onto. I hope all of you get inspiration and hope from James' little life. He affected so many relationships and put things in perspective for so many people and I know he's watching over all of us from Heaven and waiting for us!
My letter to James.....which was read by my wonderful friend, Chief who I will forever OWE a huge favor to..he was able to convey my feelings when I wasn't able!
Some people only dream of angels, we held one in our arms
February 28, 2005
Dear Baby James-
Do you have any idea how much we miss you? It seems like for months you’ve been a part of every conversation your daddy and I have had-morning sickness, swollen ankles, doctor’s appointments, baby names, who would you look like, who would you act like, but most importantly how happy we were to have this special part of us growing inside me every day. Our conversations are still about you little guy-about how beautiful you were, how much we love you and how lucky we were to have you in this world for 52 minutes. Do you have any idea what those 52 minutes meant to your daddy and I? We held you, kissed you, loved you and shared you with our family and friends.
Remember the long talk I had with you Sunday night and the promises I made? I begged God to let you live for two minutes and in return I made a lot of promises, the biggest being I’d make something good come out of my experience and when I can quit crying long enough to think I’ll figure that one out, but I also promised if you were born alive I’d celebrate that life no matter how long it was and that’s what tonight is all about. I’ll never throw a birthday party for you, but daddy and I will celebrate your birthday every year. I’ll never have Christmas with you, but I promise you some little boy will get a great gift every year in your memory. You will be a part of everything we do for the rest of our lives.
You would think that Daddy and I would be the only two people who loved you and knew you but that is so far from the truth. I had a roomful of people with me for three days at the hospital. You met a lot of them-both of your grandmas got to hold you and rock you-I think Grandma Mary Ann even sang to you, your Aunt Briget looked at you like she was looking at the first baby she had ever seen, Aunt Wendy & The Chief were with us through it all and couldn’t get over how beautiful you were. Emily has written you a special poem, that daddy and I will cherish forever. Aunt Daisy brought us a prayer book that I saw Daddy read more then once. Mrs. Condo came and prayed with us and looked out for Granny, you might have noticed that Granny isn’t as tough as she acts. Gary, Sherri and Pastor Buriff brought me the little bit of peace that I had in three days. Their words of encouragement and prayers got us through those long quiet nights. Pops and Uncle Steve took turns coming to the hospital because they had your little cousins so Granny and Aunt Briget could stay with me the entire time I was in the hospital. Then their was Tess and Karen, our own little angels! Two friends who choose to spend the majority of two days with us not as nurses at Mercy Fairfield, but as friends! Their wisdom as nurses was unbelievable, but their love as mothers made something unbearable-bearable. Plus numerous friends and relative that just came and sit with us and showed their love.
We left the hospital today not empty handed-there was gifts galore, mementos of you, teddy bears, prayer books-we just left empty hearted.
Thank you for sharing your little life with us. Know that mommy and daddy love you with all their heart.
I couldn’t end this letter without telling you Baby James that you had the best Daddy in the whole world and that your mommy loves daddy more then ever because of the time the three of us shared.
Love you little guy,
Your Mommy & Daddy
|
 Tributes and Condolences |
|
|
 |
|
|
The Past Year / Mommy
Wow the difference a year can make. We moved into our new house and we LOVE IT! Lots of room, great neighbors, and a fresh start for all of us. My scrapbook room I love love love and we can't wait to use the pool.
<...
 Continue >>
|
|
|
|
|
|
Just a thought or two... / Mommy (Mommy)
Hey Little Guy-It seems like forever since I've been on here. Sometimes life just gets away from me I think.Halloween is just in a couple of days and your big sister has convinced me to let her be something scarey, against my better judgement.&...
Continue >>
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mother's Day / Mommy
Hey Little One-
Daddy and Lyss just left to go shopping (I think they are on their way to Yelton's-beads for my bracelet...ha), Rebecca just called and asked my favorite colors (she is going to church with us tomorrow, you already know of ...
Continue >>
|
|
|
|
|
|
Happy Birthday Sweet Angel / Mommy
As the milestones pass I'm always amazed at the fresh hurt and pain. I've been feeling the pain since the 25th and I imagine it'll always be that way. February 25, 2005 was suppose to be such a great day and it turned to hell in a blink o...
Continue >>
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our Lesson / Linda Alexander (GeeGaw)
We often wonder what we learn from someone that was here just 52 minutes, but it is really what wonderful lessons we learn. We learn mostly about love....oh, not just love like loving pizza or loving ice cream (and I truely love ice cream); but...
Continue >>
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 / Mommy Read >> |
|
|
|
|
|
Time heals.... / Mommy (James' Mommy ) Read >> |
|
|
|
|
|
a mom sends her love / Theresa Burgess (none) Read >> |
|
|
|
|
|
Merry Christmas From Heaven / Mommy Read >> |
|
|
|
|
|
What a precious gift.....I'm so sorry for your loss / Stacey Streets (Angel Mommy To Aidan ) Read >> |
|
|
|
|
|
Just say "I'm Sorry" / Mommy Read >> |
|
|
|
|
|
DEAR MOMMY / SELMA FLYNN BOBBY MOM (friend) Read >> |
|
|
|
|
|
Sweet baby / Irena Hill (none(nanny to an angel) ) Read >> |
|
|
|
|
|
precious little angel / Mylene Roberge (another angel mom ) Read >> |
|
|
|
|
|
A letter from Sherri-tht I'm sharing with her permission that really touched me! / Sherri Hitsman (friend) Read >> |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| His legacy |
|
|
|
|
My Little Guy!
It's funny my pregnancy ended up being further along then we thought and James' due date was 7/27 (by the first calculations) I never ask what his due date should have been, but I've come to the conclusion he would have been born by now. I was just sitting here looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow and I had to giggle if Mr. James was here with us there would be no sleeping late-heck there would be no sleep at all! Sometimes I wish I could go to sleep and wake up and understand WHY?? I sit in my garden today and cried for all the dreams that will never be, but I'm still thankful for my little guy and what his short life has done for all of us! |
|
|
|
|
|
When I Lived With You
I found love in your womb, I was happy and warm
I heard your voice, I heard you sing
I heard your heart beating for me, and I loved you!
I kicked and squirmed and sucked my thumb, I had hiccups
And they made you laugh.
I knew all the plans you had for me, and I loved you!
When I lived with you, I grew and grew into a beautiful, healthy baby.
I waited to see you, and I loved you!
When I lived with you, you named me James!
I heard you calling my name, and I loved you!
Mommy, God loved me too, he said I was perfect and pure.
Together with Daddy and you, God created me and asked me to come home.
I can be your light, your hope, your strength, I will always love you!
Thank you, Mommy, for my life. Love, James |
|
|
|
|
|
Mother's Day!
Tomorrow is Mother's Day and I worked in James' Garden today, I had such a wide range of emotions, but at one point I stood in that garden and looked up at heaven and asked God, "Why my little guy?". I came home tonight and found the poem below from another mom in my email, isn't it amazing how God answers our questions when we least expect it....
When Angels Leave the Earth
I gave birth to an angel yesterday,
My heart was overjoyed.
His tiny wings were broken, he could no longer fly
And little did I know that day he would soon say good-bye.
His eyes told of the world ahead and the one he left behind.
His soul was on the outside for all of us to see,
Out of all the mothers he looked upon I was amazed that he chose me.
When it finally came time for him to take his leave of this place,
He kissed my heart and held my soul for others to plainly see.
When he left the earth that day I lost a part of me.
From that day `till the one I am in now he watches me from above
He holds my hand and gently says,
"Sometimes angels fall to earth to remind us of who we're meant to
be,
Don't be sad and know that to earn my wings you had to set me free."
Connor's mother ~Dyana
Happy Mother's Day!
Love,
Michelle |
|
|
|
|
|
Jill's Note to Ohio Scrappers
To: OHIOScrappers@yahoogroups.com
From: "Jill Hooper" View Contact Details
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2005 19:45:38 -0500
Subject: [OHIOScrappers] Michelle Chasteen
I am so thankfull for my scrapbooking friends. Who would have thought that this silly little hobby could create such wonderful friendships. That said, some of you may know that Michelle Chasteen (Christian) had her baby boy last night at just 24 weeks. He had anencephaly which is basically a genetic defect where the brain stem develops, but not the brain. He weighed 1 pound and 1 ounce and he was 11 inches long. He lived for just 53 minutes. I talked to Michelle today and she said that he was beautiful. Fully formed, just so very tiny. She held him until he took his last breath and God took him to Heaven. I'm sorry to have to tell you these things, but I met Michelle and a lot of other of some of my best friends through scrapbooking. We have watched our families grow up in the pictures we share and its as if we have known one another all our lives. I know that I am a better person, friend, mom and wife because of all of "our" life experiences we have shared with one another. There will be a memorial service on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at the Winton Road Church of God at 7:00. I know it would mean the world to Michelle and her family if you can come to the service. If you want to send a card her address is 124 Lindale Drive, Fairfield, Ohio 45014.
Have you hugged your scrapbooking friends today?
jhoop |
|
|
|
|
|
Two Months?
Have any of us really ever thought about how short two months is in the scheme of our lives? I could go through the whole list of how many minutes, seconds etc., but let me just say it's 60 days and they have been VERY LONG days. I have experienced emotions I didn't even know existed and pray I never feel again. I've felt hurt that was almost unbearable, but more importantly I've felt love that I never knew existed. I have the most wonderful husband in the world and he's shown me that a thousand times in the last 60 days, I have a son that is truly a gift from God that says I love you mom at least three times a day, I have a grouchy old fireman as a best friend that I wouldn't trade for a million dollars that understood my hurt and anguish when I felt like no one else would or could, I have a sister that has been a saint to me, a best friend that let me unleash ALL my anger on her and she still loves me, but most importantly I had the honor and the gift of spending six months loving Baby James and the most precious 52 minutes of my life loving him and being his mom.
Two months seem so long and I wonder when the 28th of the month will just be the 28th of the month and not the overwhelming sense of dread that it's another month since Baby James left this world......the 28th will come tomorrow and it'll be my choice what I do with it....Pray for me! |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| James's Photo Album |
|
|
|
|
| Little One you hold the whole of my heart in your tiny hand! |
|
|
|
|
|
Add to favorites 
