LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Losing a baby at birth is tough for any mother and family— and what can be just as challenging is explaining that loss to a young child.
Zander Young was only five years old when his mother lost his sister Rainey at birth when she was born sleeping.
To cope with his loss, Zander wrote a book detailing his experience from his point of view called 'Hi Rainey'.
"I didn't get to meet my sister," Zander said.
Zander's mother Kristina, father, and grandmother all guided him while writing the 34-page masterpiece. And now, the first-grade published author said the book has helped him deal with his 'big emotions.'
'Hi Rainey' has provided an outlet for the now-published author, helping Zander answer questions that can be difficult to understand at a young age.
"What happened? Where is she? More like seeing her at the cemetery or going to visit... He didn't understand why was she there," Kristina explained. "He expresses his emotion a lot differently than obviously an adult. He's a child, but just being, you know, present with him and understanding him. It's made us all stronger."
She added that she wanted everything to be accurate in the book, including real photos and the timeline of the loss.
Although Rainey did not come home to the pink-accented, decorated room filled with love, the Youngs said the grieving process has been easier as they lean on each other while also helping many in their community.
"One of our main goals was to leave something behind for him to work on by himself, as for him to get used to being able to do something for himself," Kristina said. "Leaving this and now him understanding that something that you write or something that you feel, you can put it out to help other people."
She added that she is glad that even through this loss, it has made her family stronger and has shown them to never take anything for granted because it can be taken away.
