Go Team Jayden!

Meet Team Jayden. They are a favorite family of mine.  They have participated in the Running with Angels 5K for a few years.  The better I get to know them, the more I like them!  They run for Amy's daughter, Jayden Angelyn--she even has "Angel" in her name.  And what a beautiful baby.  When a baby dies of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), there may be many unexplained questions that will never be answered in mortality.  My heart goes out to Amy and her wonderful family--who come together each year and celebrate the life of a sweet daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and cousin.  

Below are race pictures from 2016, and Amy's lovely story about little Jayden Angelyn Quiring.

#101DaysofAngels

Go Team Jayden!

On November 12, 1998 our little angel entered our lives.  Jayden Angelyn Quiring made her grand arrival a week past her due date.  Once labor started is was super quick, only 4 hours start to finish!  What a cutie she was too.  A little pug nose and a tiny little dimple right in the middle of her chin.  We were all so thrilled to have another little baby added to our family. 

Jayden was a surprise to our family, as we found out I was pregnant when Conner, her older brother, was only 6 months old.  While we were a little nervous to quickly add another member, we were also excited and happy.  Conner was excited to have a little sister.... and he loved her SO very much from the minute they met.  Conner was 18 months old when Jayden was born.  Conner could make Jayden smile when no one else could get her to stop crying.  He took extra special interest in her for someone as young as he was.  He was constantl checking on her to make sure she was ok.  He was a big helper and wanted to feed her, bathe her, and even dress her.  It was so adorable.

Jayden was a chunky little thing.  She loved being held outward so she could see what was going on in her little world.  I often wonder if she knew her life on earth would be short so she wanted to see it all, take in as much as she could.  Jayden was loved by so many!  She was the second grandchild, first girl, so she was spoiled and well attended too.  Aunt Brooke loved to paint her tiny little nails and Aunt Ang babysat often.  We lived with my parents at the time so Jayden got tons of Grandma and Grandpa time.  Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and friends were all impacted and loved by Jayden as well.  We have always been such a blessed family to have each other.

Jayden passed away in her sleep on May 17th, 1999.  She was with us for 6 short months.  We feel so grateful we were given some time to meet our beautiful angel.  Cause of death was Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, SIDS.

Many years have passed since Jayden left us.  She would have been 18 years old this past November.  It's crazy how life goes on, things change, our family has grown and changed over the years, and time has made memories fade and sad moments not feel so sad.  In many ways I am grateful for the years and the ease it has given on the pain, and in so many ways time has made me sad because I think of the young woman she would be today.  We have a few traditions to remember our little angel, but my most favorite one is the chance to take part in Running with Angels every year.  I found the race just a few years ago and we look forward to spending a day with my family and others running in memory of a special little someone we will always remember.