Balloon travels 1,063 miles before landing in a field near Grygla

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. An organization called ‘Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep’, based out of Colorado, held a Remembrance Walk and Balloon Release in Littleton, Colorado, on Saturday, October 3rd. Approximately 3,000 balloons were released in remembrance of babies whose lives have been lost.

On Sunday, October 4th, Jerry Sistad found one of the balloons in his field approximately 5 miles NE of Grygla, Minnesota. The balloon was in memory of a baby named Liam Jack. Pictured next to the balloon is Jerry & Cheryl Sistad’s grandchildren, Marin and Alex Peterson.

Cheryl posted the picture to the NILMDTS Facebook page and said, “I’m amazed to realize this balloon was released in Littleton, CO, the day before we found it. And to be found in a small community recently saddened by the loss of a baby boy.” 

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month was first declared by President Ronald Reagan on October 25, 1988. On that day, he said, “When a child loses his parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses her or his partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents lose their child, there isn’t a word to describe them. This month recognizes the loss so many parents experience across the United States and around the world. It is also meant to inform and provide resources for parents who have lost children due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, still birth, birth defects, SIDS, and other causes. Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the month of October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.”

Regarding the balloon found by the Sistads, ‘Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep’ Executive Assistant, Melisa Ramsey, was in touch with Cheryl. Because the organization deals with the loss of a baby’s life almost daily, Cheryl shared with Melisa that her and Jerry lost two infants over 40 years ago. Melisa encouraged Cheryl to share that with the Grygla Eagle Newspaper readers because in her words, “We would like you to bring honor to your babies if you would feel comfortable. We understand that it was over 40 years ago, but that does not change the fact that your babies still matter.” 

Jerry and Cheryl Sistad’s son, Scott Alan, was born in 1969 with a heart defect and lived 5 days. Their daughter, Rhonda Kay, was born premature in 1974 and lived just 24 hours.

“I believe that God sends us a sign when we need it the most; this is a sign to our community that we are not alone and others share in our sorrow,” Cheryl stated.

If you know someone who has ever lost a child, don’t be afraid to mention that child. It’s easy to feel like you might make them sad by reminding them that they died, but you’re not reminding them; a parent never forgets their child dies. What you’re reminding them of is that you remember their child lived. And that…is a great gift.

Especially today, let’s remember the short lives lost. In this particular case...the two infant children of Jerry and Cheryl Sistad, along with Liam Jack.

For more information on the NILMDTS organization, based out of Colorado, visit https://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/