Pro-life video of the day: 99 balloons for Eliot
by LauraLoo
It is my pleasure to rerun this video from a couple years ago as it is one of my all-time favorites. From the father’s perspective, here is he and his wife’s short but amazing 99-day journey with their son, Eliot. They are immensely thankful for each day they had with their terminally ill baby.
I cannot think of a more perfect video to celebrate Thanksgiving and Almighty God for all of His bounties. We have SO much to be thankful for, especially our loved ones and our health which we all too often take for granted.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqNF3FJNEpU[/youtube]
Email dailyvid@jillstanek.com with your video suggestions.
Nov.27, 2013 12:00 pm |
Video of the day |
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
I feel terrible for this family, but I really wish we as a people would PLEASE STOP with the balloon releases. It litters the ground and kills birds, as many people already know.
I disagree. A family has found a way to grief and at the same time celebrate the life of little Eliot. May they continue so. The birds will navigate the balloons I assure you.
What is with telling people how to grief loss anyway? Just my unsolicited two cents.
The problem is that birds will eat the popped balloons and they will die that way.
That video is so sad and touching. I only made it to like three minutes. RIP Elliot you are loved now and forever. Such a precious baby. I can’t believe people say that babies like him shouldn’t be entitled to what life they have. Look at him interact with his parents.
I’m against releasing balloons for any reason*, even a happy one, and that’s pretty much the ONLY way of grieving that I have a problem with. (well, that and leaving well-behaved children who are old enough to understand what’s happening out of funerals, even when they want to go)
*The elementary school in the town I grew up in switched from “Balloon Day” to “Bubble Day.” How about something like 99 large bubbles?
I hear what you are saying MeMyselfandI and Jack about the birds but I am not going to shift the focus and tell this family how to grief. That, which they started, has to run its course…
According to the fortune cookie that came with my lunch today “time is the wisest counselor.” :)
I watch this video every now and again. When I need a good cry. So absolutely precious.
I care more about people in their grief doing what makes them feel close to their loved one.
Birds? Not so much.
I care about grieving families and birds too!
But I think there are better times to bring up the issue with birds and balloons.
Totally agree Jack!!
Let’s celebrate Elliot and his precious family. :)
Aren’t there biodegradable balloons now that are wildlife safe? Or did I make that up. If there isn’t there should be. Someone get on that!
This video never ceases to make me BAWL. This video and that one with baby Thomas who was born with some kind of genetic defect and his parents held him as he died days later. Rips my heart out. But you know those parents treasure every moment they spent with their babies. Every diaper change, every bottle, ever burp, every snuggle…
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be insensitive.
P.S. I do know there is animal-safe rice for throwing at weddings, though.
What I meant to add before my editing time ran out was that I’m not against most ways of grieving at all. (I’ve been criticized for being less-than Ms. Merry Sunshine after a loss past the time some people have thought I should have been, myself)
That is the most touching beautiful tribute I’ve watched in a long time. What great parents and their example of unconditional love.