On September 25, 2015, my son, Linkon James Reed, was born into the world without a heartbeat. That day changed me, my husband, my family, and my friends in a way words will never fully capture.

I remember small pieces of that day in black and white - my uncle walking me through the hospital halls, my sister crawling into my bed to hold me close, my mom waiting through every second. I remember holding him and singing to him. I didn’t know it was possible to feel such pain, and that heartbreak rippled through everyone around me.

The nurses and doctors at Victoria General Hospital’s maternity ward carried me through those dark hours. At the time, I couldn’t truly grasp the grace and patience they showed, but looking back, I see it clearly. They stayed with me through every cry, every fear, and every moment I thought I couldn’t survive. Their compassion gave me the strength to keep going.

Years later, during the pandemic, I faced another loss - a complicated miscarriage of our second child and spent time in the maternity ward once again. With lockdowns keeping my family from visiting me, once again it was the nurses who brought me warm blankets, rubbed my back, and sat with me when I felt alone. The doctors encouraged me to stay when I wanted to give up and go home, ensuring my safety so I could go on to have all I have now.

In 2021, that same ward became the place where we welcomed our son Peter. The staff allowed my grief and my fear to co-exist alongside my joy and excitement. When it came time to clip Peter into his car seat and take him home, I felt like I could barely breathe. A nurse came to my side, offering courage and reminding me that every feeling I had was valid.

This year marks 10 years since the day we met and lost Linkon. On this anniversary, I want to honor him by giving back to the place that carried me through both my deepest heartbreaks and my greatest joy. I’m asking those who know our story to consider donating to Victoria General Hospital’s maternity ward - the place that held me through the worst and the best moments of my life.