On Friday, June 13, 2003 (9 weeks early), we were blessed with the most, beautiful, wonderful daughter. She weighed 31bs. And 7oz. We named her Jerra Mia after our nephew Jeremy, who we lost in 2002. Steven, our son, was 4 when Jerra was born. His first & only sibling. A boy & a girl. Our family was perfect.

My pregnancy was extremely difficult, involving bed rest and a long hospitalization. I had full placental previa & single umbilical cord. We found out at 20 weeks that Jerra had multiple anomalies. The most severe being multiple, rare & complex heart defects because the left side of the heart did not develop HLHS – Hyposplastic Left Heart Syndrome). Jerra also had VATERS or VACTERL Syndrome which involves vertebrae, renal & cardiac issues along with digestive & growth problems. One of her defects that would have made her heart surgery impossible (herniated diaphragm) healed itself (medically impossible) two weeks before her early arrival. She is the smallest known baby to survive the Norwood ( the first in a series of scheduled open heart surgeries). We knew that we had a true miracle on our hands.

Jerra had an amazing personality and a way of doing things that drew people to her. Despite all her medical issues, hospitalizations and the things “they” said she would never be able to do, She LOVED her life. Although her words were few, she had a way of communicating and expressing herself that will forever be unmatched, unexplained, undeniable. Jerra’s medical issues seemed to only be an interruption to her joy. Mostly happy, always accepting, wonderfully patient and constantly determined. Jerra taught our family, friends & many people that she did not even know, the value of each day, acceptance, joy, love, miracles, faith and a wisdom beyond our understanding.

The summer of 2005, Jerra celebrated her 2nd birthday. She also got to see the fireworks, which she LOVED, twice in July and she was “Optimal” for her last “scheduled” heart surgery, the Fontan. She always did well with her surgeries, eating & growing seemed to cause more worry than anything else. The surgery did not go well. We were asked to step into “the room” several times over the next few weeks. After many options were presented & tried & more miracles happened, Jerra’s body was simply too tired. We were comforted by the fact that she was able to tell us that she wanted to go “HOME”, to take the hands of the angels, to be with many of her “heart” buddies who had gone before her. Jerra should not have even been able to sustain life at that point, (again, no medical explanation), but she was incredibly peaceful & capable of expressing her wishes. We bathed her, dressed her, sang to her and mustered up the strength, somehow, to let her go................Jerra went from my arms to heaven on August 13th, 2005 at 11:45 pm.

We were now in “the club”. The one that no one signs up for or wants to be in. The world was blessed with Jerra Mia for 2 years & 2 months. Two years & two months that taught me what real, profound love is. Two years & two months of hope. Two years & two months that changed me forever & introduced me to a family that is not DNA related, but closer to my heart & soul as anyone could be. Two years & two months that grounded my faith completely & forever while at the same time shaking it’s very foundation. I thank all of you that are further in this journey that me (my “griefoholic sponsors”) for without you, God, my husband & my son, I know that there is no way that I could stand before you & share Jerra’s journey. I ask that you please take care of yourself & muddle through the best that you can. One thing that has helped me a lot is a a non-profit that my husband I started in memory & honor of our precious daughter. Jerra’s Angel Heart Fund is set up to provide support for families with critically/chronically ill children and those with Angels.

The last thing that I would like to do is read a poem, written by a fellow “heart” mom, whose son is doing well. Although our babies are all wonderfully unique, I think this poem could have been written for each & everyone of our angels because of the amazing impact that they had and continue to have on our lives.

Jesus said I touched so many,
that my time on earth was through.
I know how much you miss me,
please know I miss you too.
Just wait until you get here,
You’ll be so proud of me,
when you see how many lives were changed, through hearing my story.
I did not lose this battle,
I just took Jesus hand,
remember I’m a fighter,
and try to understand.
I know you all feel helpless,
struggling to understand WHY?
Please try to remember I’m with you,
when you laugh, when you dream, when you cry.
I’m helping HIM prepare a place for us, and someday you will see...
although I am not with you now,
we’re still a family.
The Lord searched all the heavens...
Oh who would heed his call?
To touch the hearts of many,
was Jerra Mia Hall.