BATON ROUGE — A local family is making the sweetest lemonade out of the worst lemons. When Erin McClearly and her sister Emily found out they were both pregnant at the same time, joy swept through their family. The thought of their children growing up together as close cousins brought them immeasurable happiness. For Emily and her husband, the pregnancy was an extra special blessing after suffering a miscarriage early on in a prior pregnancy.
But that joy was soon shadowed by heartbreak.
In October 2021, Emily received devastating news no parent should ever have to face.
“At about 13 weeks into her pregnancy, they diagnosed her baby, Myles, with trisomy 13,” Erin shared. “It’s a genetic condition considered incompatible with life. They told her he wouldn’t live very long after delivery.”
The family clung to hope, but the reality became all too real shortly after Myles was born.
“He passed away 13 hours after he was born,” Erin said. “We knew it was coming, but nothing truly prepares you for it.”
In a poignant twist of fate, both sisters had their babies on the same day.
“I had my baby girl just four hours before Myles was born,” Erin recalled. “We were five weeks apart in our pregnancies, and our babies ended up sharing a birthday. It was this bittersweet connection.”
The Birth of a Beautiful Tribute
In the midst of their grief, Emily found a way to honor her son. A small gesture—a lion-themed lovie blanket gifted by a church member—sparked an idea.
“She didn’t have baby showers or anything because she knew they wouldn’t need baby items at home,” Erin explained. “But someone gave her this little lion lovie. They captured photos of Myles holding it in the hospital, and it became a symbol of his courage and the brief but meaningful life he lived.”
Inspired by that gesture, Emily launched the “Lovie Donation Drive for Myles.” The initiative collects lion-themed lovie blankets to distribute to babies in NICUs and grieving parents. Each blanket comes with a tag sharing Myles’ story, ensuring his memory lives on.
“Last year, they collected nearly 300 blankets,” Erin said. “This year, they hope to gather even more in time for what would have been Myles’ third birthday in February.”
A Legacy of Love and Strength
Emily’s journey of healing continued with the birth of twin daughters, adding a ray of sunshine to the family’s dark times. But the lion lovie remains a cherished part of their story.
“In every family photo, they make sure the little lion blanket is included,” Erin said. “It’s their way of keeping Myles with them, of making sure he’s always part of their lives.”
How to Help
The Lovie Donation Drive runs through the end of February, and anyone can contribute. Blankets can be purchased directly through an Amazon registry and shipped to the family, where Emily and her loved ones add heartfelt messages before delivering them to NICUs and parents experiencing loss.
“This drive is about more than just blankets,” Erin said. “It’s about giving comfort, hope, and a reminder that these little lives, no matter how brief, leave an incredible impact.”
For those wanting to contribute, you can order a lovie directly from their Amazon registry link. Together, they hope to bring courage and comfort to families in need, one lion lovie at a time.
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