As Branson’s parents, we set up this blog as a place to honor our sweet baby boy. We hope it can be a place that family and friends can visit as we all begin to heal. We are so proud to say he’s ours forever, and we’d like to share his story.
We have been married for six years. Our greatest hope has always been that together we can have a family. We tried for numerous years to welcome a new baby into our home without much success. So, you can imagine the excitement we felt in October of 2007 when I took a pregnancy test that came back positive! The next night I carved a pumpkin with the words “Hi Dad” and had it all lit up when Rob came home. We could hardly contain our excitement as we started planning for our new little arrival. We waited until Christmas to share the news with our families, and they couldn’t wait to meet the newest member of our family.
When we found out we were having a little boy, Rob was so elated. He’d been dreaming for years of teaching a son how to shoot hoops, taking him fishing, and finally having another guy on his side. Of course, I couldn’t wait to have a little pal to run around with, and spend my days with.
From the very beginning of our pregnancy we would talk to our little Branson, read him books, sing him crazy songs, and every night we prayed for him. We loved lying on the couch together, feeling him move. We were always so amazed at how active and strong he was. Right away we started making plans for the nursery, and we had so much fun together painting and decorating his special place. We take comfort in knowing that for the nine months he was with us he heard us, felt us, and knew that he was loved.
I had a very healthy pregnancy and we counted down the days until we would meet our new little son. On Friday, June 27th, just three days before his due date, we went in for a routine check up. Branson’s heartbeat was strong as ever and everything looked good to go. The doctor wanted to see me back on Monday for my pre-op appointment since I would need a C-section. So on Monday we went in for our last ultrasound before the big day. Sadly, Branson’s heartbeat could not be found. Rob had felt him moving the night before, and so we were left to question what had happened. We went home that night and tried to prepare to welcome our son into the world in a different way than we had dreamed and hoped of. We cried at the thought of never being able to know our son or see him alive.
On July 1st, 2008 I went in for my C-section and delivered a beautiful little boy at 8:21 a.m. Branson weighed 8 pounds and was 21 inches long. Rob and I couldn’t believe how perfect he was! We were fortunate enough to get to spend the whole day with him. We will certainly never forget the sweet spirit that filled our room as we both laid eyes upon the purest thing we had ever seen. We took the time to notice his every feature; huge hands and feet, a perfect little nose, the cutest ears, Grandpa Anderson’s hair due, long lean muscles… just perfect in every way! We shared some very tender moments with him as we were able to bathe him, dress him, get his foot and handprints, snuggle him, and hold him.
One of the most unforgettable experiences of the day was when Rob was able to give him a name and a blessing. We’ve never been so touched by the Spirit. Some of the things we felt and heard that day are very sacred and special, some of which were meant only for us. He was asked to always be our guardian angle, and to make future preparations for his brothers and sisters to join us. We were left with no doubt that Branson had been with us, but that he was called back to the loving arms of his Heavenly Father to perform a special mission at this time that no one else could perform. He valiantly returned.
Fortunately, Grandma and Grandpa Anderson were there as well as Grandma Call, and Grandpa Call many times by phone. We all took turns holding and loving our special little guy. He had many friends visit as well. We even had a pair of professional photographers that came to take our first family photos. I don’t think he left one person untouched that day by his example and spirit!
As we prepared to let his little body go, only 12 short hours after we got him, Rob and I shared some time alone with him expressing all of our feelings to him. How do a mother and father prepare to give their precious child away so soon? Our last moments with him were spent holding him tighter than even before, I’ll never forget rubbing his perfect little feet and holding his little hands. At a little after 9:00 that night the nurse came, and took our son’s body to be prepared for burial. She promised to take good care of him, and we know he was in good hands.
A few days later we returned to our house with empty arms to a nursery waiting still. We have asked all the “why’s” and “what-ifs',” but it doesn’t change much. As each day passes, we are able to look back with a little more vision, a little more insight. We are confident that Branson’s nine months with us was a gift from God, and it wasn’t the day that mattered. Had we gone in two weeks earlier, the result would have been the same. However, we were given as long as possible with our little boy. We will always be grateful for that time, and treasure every moment we shared and every memory we made with him. We know that Branson was not a mistake, God doesn’t make mistakes. He was just too perfect and pure to stay with us. His spirit did not need to endure the pains and trials of this earth.
We are grateful more than ever that our family is forever through the blessings of the temple. We know that Branson is waiting for us anxiously to return to him, and all we have to do is endure our short time on this earth. We are amazed at how much Branson has taught us about the Plan of Salvation, about the Atonement, and the Resurrection. He touched our lives with pure love, he has helped us become humble, and pray to our father for comfort, peace, and understanding. Part of Branson’s mission was to help us learn things we couldn’t learn any other way.
Although our lives seemed to stop that day, the world keeps moving, and life keeps going. So, as we make it through each day we find comfort in what we know. We will never forget our little Branson and the example he has set for the rest of our family. We can’t wait to teach our future children about their older brother who has paved the way and is waiting for us to return. We’ll treasure our photos and show him off to any who will look and listen.
Although we never imagined we would celebrate our 6th anniversary without any children, we feel as though the Lord has been preparing us for trials such as this. We are grateful for the love we share, and find strength through each other. We cannot find words to express to our family and friends how much their love, concern, support, and prayers have helped us over the hurdles we face each day. I pray that we can all remember… Branson always knew, now it’s up to us to know.
I prayed for this child and the Lord granted my request.
Now I in turn, give this child to the Lord
1 Samuel 1:27
Video