Since 2017, April 30 has been an emotional day of remembrance for mom, Vanessa Breaux, who gives a birthday cake to one special girl to honor Nonnie, her infant daughter who lived for three hours only.
Breaux, then 17 years old, unexpectedly gave birth to her daughter during the 22nd week of her pregnancy. Doctors told her that she went into premature labor due to a cervical insufficiency. The mom was also told that her baby won't have a chance.
So, for the next three hours after the delivery, Breaux cherished her small daughter and "showed her as much love" as she could muster. Deep down, however, the mom told The Advocate that the loss crushed her heart and she felt she would not survive this grief.
A Long Recovery for Vanessa Breaux
It took nearly a year for Breaux to recover from the death of her daughter until she found Maddie's Footprints, a charity that helps out parents who have experienced child loss. Through this charity, Breaux learned to understand that true healing comes in the form of acknowledging her pain and loss. She chose to do this by celebrating her daughter's birth every April 30.
So, on this day, she gives a birthday cake to one special girl who is also the same age as Nonnie. Her family supported her choice and a tradition was born.
"Since I can't celebrate her birthday because she's in heaven I just like to celebrate other little girls' birthdays," Breaux said, per KATC.
The mother said that her pain will remain but bringing joy to another child will "fill the void" in her heart. This year, she has called Piece of Cake Lafayette in Louisiana to let them know that she will pay for a 5-year-old's birthday cake if they will find someone who was born on a specific date. Nonnie would have been 5 years old on April 30, 2022.
The bakery posted Breaux's gift to a little girl on Facebook and called this "Nonnie's Blessing." A few locals have enthusiastically responded to Breaux's beautiful tradition. The announcement has also attracted other businesses that would like to be involved in making one happy 5th birthday party, without any cost, for another girl in honor of Nonnie.
It's understood that Breaux will personally notify the family of the girl who will be the recipient of these gifts.
Family Remembers Kamille McKinney
In Alabama, the family of Kamille McKinney celebrated what would have been her 6th birthday Friday, April 22. She was kidnapped at a birthday party in October 2019 and her body was eventually found in a dumpster. The perpetrators responsible for the child's death have been imprisoned for capital murder.
McKinney's mom, April Thomas, told Fox10 that they have been celebrating her daughter's birthday since her death. The mom said her daughter continues to live in her family's memory.
