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So much tragedy this holiday season. In case you’re not familiar with her story, Kristine Brite gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Cora on November 30. Five days later, Cora died in her mother’s arms while breastfeeding of an invisible congenital heart condition.
Kristine has put up a very brave face on Twitter in the face of this tragedy. She says she is so thankful for the five days she had with her daughter, the happiest days of her life. Kristine has been very vocal in trying to bring awareness about Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) because so few doctors and hospitals run simple tests that could detect heart problems at birth.
I talked with @MoReen from Hallmark, and she said that her company will donate a $50 Hallmark.com gift card so we can send greetings to Kristine and her family. I’m heading up the effort to put that gift card to good use.
If you would like to send a message to Kristine in Cora’s memory, please leave a comment on this post with your message. Please make sure to sign your comment the way you would like your message to be signed. You may post or link to a photo as well. Kristine had asked last week for people to wear pink in memory of Cora. If you or your kids could wear pink in your photo, that would be excellent. If not, if you have a pink flower or toy that you could hold in the photo, that would also work. If you don’t own any pink, that’s okay, too.
Please be sure to comment by 7:00 pm EST on Wednesday, December 23, 2009. I will be trying to put the cards together that evening so they can be sent out hopefully the following Saturday. I hope that these cards will help lift the spirits of a grieving mother and her family. Won’t you please add your message and spread the word?
That’s me: Christina Gleason. I’m a writer, editor, and disability advocate. I'm a multiply disabled autistic lady doing my best in this world built for abled people. I’m a geek for grammar, fantasy, and casual gaming. I hate vegetables. I cannot reliably speak, so I’ll happily conduct business over email or messaging instead.
I left a message on her funeral page, but let me add that a mother is a mother forever. I pray that she finds peace as her days go on.
Kristine- Your strength has been an inspiration, a chance for me to do some soul-searching and see what Cora brought to you, was simple. Love. No words, or presents or gadgets. Family. Embrace them and never let a moment pass you by. Honor. To stand up for what you believe in and give a memory the due credit it deserves.
I want you to be my IRL friend because I know you will have a lot more lessons to teach me!
I am so, so sorry for your loss. I will think about Cora everyday.
-Danielle aka Zealandsmom
It is just amazing to me how your family has touched so many….a stranger whom I have never met, I think of you often and hope you will find peace and harmony. So many of us have so much to learn from you and your strength and perserverance…I send my thoughts, strength and hugs your way.
Jen
MamasBabyLove
Kristine,
Your strength and determination to spread awareness about Congenital Heart Defects is beyond amazing. You are such an inspiration to me and I see it in others as well when they speak to you and of you. I came very close to loosing my Heart Baby as well, and it was nothing short of a miracle that we caught it in time. As I my son has grown stronger and started acting like a little boy, it was easy for me to bury the thoughts of how fragile he was. Through Cora I have been reminded of how lucky I am to have my Heart baby here with me, something that I feel like I have been taking for granted. And really, it has changed the way I look at my relationship with all of my children. Cora has made me step back and look at my family in a different way.
I am so sorry for the loss of your precious Angel Baby Cora. I wish things turned out differently for you. Your voice is loud, and already I know you will be heard for years to come. Cora is alive through the work that you are doing. I am honored and blessed to know you and Baby Cora.
Lisa Curcio
Kristine,
My deepest sympathies are with you and your family at this time. Although I did not know you personally, the feelings associated with the passing of a child becomes universal and I believe that all of us as Mother’s can feel your pain.
With love, strength and courage,
Dianna
I am sorry for your loss. Cora is the most beautiful angel I have ever laid eyes on. May she rest in peace.
Kristine (my cyber sister)
Words can’t express how much I admire you. You have taken the time during your grieving to see all of the good that Cora has done for you and so many others. She has made it possible for me to know you, and I will be forever grateful to her for that. Although I’ve only known you a couple of weeks…. you and Cora have a HUGE place in my heart. Cora had a beautiful purpose in this world… and you’re helping spread that purpose. Mya and Cora are totally BFFs in heaven!
Love, Amanda (anjyldream)
Kristine,
As a mom who lives with a congenital heart defect, my deepest sympathies are with you. I hope that you find comfort in knowing that Cora’s story will not be forgotten.
Many blessings,
Nikki
Baby Cora is with God now. Be at peace about that. I’m sorry for your loss. Its always hard and there are no words that can make this circumstance feel right.
I applaud your positive attitude…you had her to hold for 5 days. Even when she took her last breath – she was in your arms, not far from your heart, literally. I can’t think of a better way for a baby to go.
Friends of mine lost their baby girl (cord strangulation) about 5 days before she was possibly going to be born a year ago November. Without trying they got pregnant very soon after and in September delivered another baby girl just fine.
I will pray for another little blessing for you as well.
You are a strong and beautiful woman, your angel will live on in the love you show to her memory every day! God Bless. xoxo.
@seraphimleigh
Dear Kristine,
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband. Cora is a beautiful angel. I am amazed with your strength and determination to get the word out about CHD. Thanks to your passion to educate others, many people will learn about this often hidden and silent disease. Always know that your beautiful baby girl will be with you.
Love, Beth (aka TheAngelForever)
Kristine,
I am so terribly sorry for your loss of the darling little Cora.
I am also SO inspired by your bravery on your mission to raise awareness about CHD. I think you are doing a wonderful thing by educating others about CHD.
Prayers for peace for you and your family.
Haley Quarles (@princesshaley)
Kristine,
I am so sorry for your loss and I hope that I can help in your fight to raise awareness of CHD. Cora has certainly opened my eyes and your strength is truly an inspiration. Cora has already accomplished so much for so many and it can only get better. Thank you for sharing your story and for your loving determination, you and Cora are truly incredible.
With love,
Emily (@babydickey)
My prayers are with you. May the Lord give you the strength and comfort that only He can provide. Thank you for sharing sweet Cora and her story with us.
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Kristine,
I am so very sorry for your loss of Cora. There are no words that can take away that pain.
I’m honored to have become your friend and your ally in the fight against CHD.
Know that I am always thinking of you and sending you hugs and prayers.
Amy (@thebluemoongirl)
Kristine,
I still pray for you everyday, and for Cora. And for all the good you are doing every day for babies and for CHD. I think you are an amazingly strong woman, and a total inspiration for me. I feel like, over the last few months over twitter and email, that you’ve become a good friend.
I will continue to do everything I can to help you spread the word about CHD until there is nothing left to do.
kristine,
im so sorry you have had to go through this, but so inspired that you have turned tragedy into something positive. cora picked you because you are a good, strong Mama.
we are all here for you, fighting right next to you!
kelly manz
With you as her vessel, Kristine, Cora is a life changer, and life saver…. The path you have chosen to grieve Cora is the greatest tribute you could show to your little sweetheart. God bless you!!
@GabriellasHeart
Kristine, you’re a great Mom and have so much to share with other parents in the name of Cora. I’ve learned so much about CHD from you and from Cora. Keep fighting for awareness and continue to save children as you educate and inform others. Blessings to you and big {{HUGS}}.
Christine Smith
@LifeVerse
You and Cora are heroes. Don’t forget that. You’ve taught many of us so much. Thank you for sharing her with us.
~ Maya