Ava Faith Monchuk

Our cherished daughter, Ava Faith Monchuk, was delivered directly to God on June 4, 2011, at 40+ weeks gestation. A public memorial service will be held Monday, June 13, at 1 p.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1636 Acadia Drive in Saskatoon, with a reception following.

Ava Faith weighed 9 pounds, 3 ounces and was 21 and 3/4 inches long. She had dark hair, chubby cheeks and a lovely little mouth. Our perfectly beautiful baby died peacefully in utero. After a serene beginning to labor at home, we were devastated to find no heartbeat when once we were admitted to Royal University Hospital.

I proceeded to labor for about 15 hours at the hospital, knowing that I would not receive my long-awaited prize in the end, but hoping for a healthier recovery at home for my son's sake. My best efforts at a regular delivery went unrewarded as I ended up with a Cesarean section the next morning. Although not as quickly as I'd hope, I am feeling physically better with each passing day.

Although autopsy results will arrive in about six weeks, it is unlikely that we will receive an answer to our burning question of, "Why."

As we mourn the fact that our hello to Ava Faith was also our goodbye, we believe that she was brought to us by God for reasons that we will continue to learn until we meet her one day in heaven. Throughout our pregnancy, labor, delivery, and remembrance of Ava Faith, we have been amazed and humbled by the overwhelming support and kindness from our family, friends, and community.

We feel that Ava Faith’s message for each of us is that we are not meant to be self-sufficient; we need each other and we need God. She is inspiring us to ask God each day how we can be his hands and feet to help others and use the gifts He has given us to make an impact in the world. It is our hope that Ava Faith’s little footprints will travel widely through those left behind who love and remember her.

In lieu of flowers, our family suggests memorial donations be made to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan.

Family and silence are my comforts of choice at the moment. As time passes, I know I will begin to find and share additional words that will help to heal my heart and to allow me to properly express gratitude to everyone who has offered love, prayers and messages for my family.

♥ Laura