~The story behind WHY *~Nimkee Blessings~* is so inspired to host this BENEFIT CONCERT~

~**~NIMKEE BLESSINGS & INTRODUCING BENNETT~**~will be hosting a benefit concert at Gordon's Park on beautiful Manitoulin Island...SUNDAY, SEPT 5th! We will have lots of great entertainment for young and old alike, & fun things for the kiddies to do!


~Featured artists include:  Introducing Bennett, Brand New Eyes, Low Guns, Tedd Jensen, Leslie Nishkiwe, Dave Southwood, CJ, Damien T, Michael S---& more to be announced---if you wanna play us a tune---some on out and join us, we'd love to have you!!


~Advance tickets will be sold. If you cannot make it, please consider it as a donation to this very worthy project.
$10 for ages 16+
$5 for children 5-15
FREE for children under 4



~ALL PROCEEDS go towards helping families with babies in the SICK KIDS HOSPITAL NICU in Toronto, Ontario.

Google Map--location of Nimkee Blessings Benefit Concert

Gordon's Park Eco-Resort is located: (from website)

~15 minutes from the Chi-Cheemaun Ferry Terminal. The Ferry sails May - October from Tobermory on the Bruce Peninsula to South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island.

~Gordon's Park is situated 35 minutes from Little Current.

~From Hwy 6 or 17, turn on to Hwy 6 at Espanola. Follow Hwy 6 through Little Current & Manitowaning. They are 15 minutes from Manitowaning, just before the Hwy 542 junction.

http://my-baby-is-an-angel.blogspot.com/2010/04/reflections-of-our-final-day.html

~Words cannot describe the searing, heart-clutching pain that a parent feels in their chest the very moment that their baby has been 'pronounced'.

"I'm very sorry, but he's gone......."

How do you take another breath, knowing your beloved has just taken his last? How can you fathom a future without this little person by your side, sharing first smiles, sloppy kisses, and giggles galore?

One can't help but wonder "what do I do now? How will I get through this...."

The entire day was just a blur, with moments of vivid memories. I look back at our photographs taken during that final afternoon. The photographer's lens captured those heart wrenching images as we had to do the unthinkable.

"How do you say farewell, when you've just held this tiny little being in your arms for the very first time since he entered this world, outside your womb?"

I remember walking out of the hospital that night, with empty arms. I hadn't taken a single breath of outdoor air in more than a week, since the day I entered the hospital to give birth 9 days earlier. I stayed by Bennett-Chadlen's bedside night and day, never wanting to be too far away in case the worst should suddenly occur. I wanted to be right there with him should they need to page me.

I stepped outside and took in a huge breath, and held it for a few moments. I could not believe what was happening.

"It's not supposed to be this way".

I was clutching a stuffed bunny in place of him, an Easter gift to Bennett-Chadlen from his brothers.

In the days and weeks that followed I was able to look at the photos and feetprints.  I cherish the hand and foot moulds that were made with my hands, and the hands of Nimkee's siblings.

All of these items make him 'real'.

I cannot hold his hand again, but I can see his tiny fingers and feet....a lock of his hair....his gold embossed feetprints with the 6 gorgeous toes....all thanks to the little things that were done for us before we left the hospital.

~Imagine knowing that your unborn child will be born with a devastating birth defect requiring a NICU stay immediately following birth.

~Imagine giving birth to what you believe to be a healthy baby, during what you anticipated to be a routine labour and delivery---only to have your newborn baby go into fetal distress as he/she makes her debut into your life.


~Premature birth is another cause of newborns which will often require a very lengthy stay of several months while the baby endures a lot of intensive care while the parents sit by, watching, waiting....praying.


Instead of being handed over into your loving and waiting arms, your newborn is whisked away abruptly, with few words but---"we're very sorry, but we'll do everything we can".  How do you not panic in such a state??  


This is why I am so dedicated to reaching out and helping other families in a similar situation.  It's such a difficult and 'impossible-to-describe' scenerio.


If a family is lucky, their baby receives the necessary treatment and heals quickly, returning home and back to their parent's waiting arms.....but for many this isn't the case.  NICU's all over the world are filled with little ones that are often critically ill, or require a very lengthy NICU stay.  


These families find themselves in a place that they could never have imagined, beyond their worst nightmares.  There is no way to prepare yourself for this journey.  Please help me, to help other families that will have babies that require a NICU stay.


A little bit of comfort goes a long way, and can touch a family's heart forever.

~Our First Kiss, he was 5 days old.  I still hadn't held him in my arms~

~ Gzaagin Nimkee ~ We love you ~ Forever in our hearts ~ ♥ ~Tattooed on my soul~ ♥