Today's blog is very special to me. I was so honored when Brittany Pace asked me to be interviewed for her journalism class. This paper is so beautifully written and makes me so happy, and feel so special. Thank you Brittany for loving me like a big sister, and having my family be part of yours. Having friends that are family is just amazing
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“Inspiring Mother, Friend, and wife spreads her Daughter’s sparkle everyday”
Former Bridgewater State University graduate, Heather Craven (32) always had the dream to become an educator and change the world. The Massachusetts native met her husband Shane her senior year of college.
Heather got her BA in psych and elementary education, a masters in elementary education and middle school and soon became a guidance counselor after graduating. Heather married Shane soon after college and began her “happily ever after.” Logan and Sydney Craven (twins) were born in March 2013 and changed Craven’s life.
On March 19th, 2015 (nine days shy of the twins second birthday), their world would change forever… Sydney did not wake up. Shane rushed to the room to check on the twins and Sydney was not breathing. They placed an emergency call to 911. Sadly, the paramedics were unable to revive her. This was a mother's worst nightmare. This tragic event has impacted not only the family, but the friends and community immensely.
Heather decided that, instead of lying on the couch grieving the rest of her life, she was going to do something that would honor her beautiful twin daughter. She created the Sydney Craven Memorial Foundation. This fund would be set up to help share Sydney’s sparkle with the community. This foundation would grant scholarships to little girls and boys to help them find their inner sparkle through dance, sports and theatre.
Not only has Heather created a blog in Syd’s memory, but she has participated in numerous runs, walks, and obstacle courses this past year. Heather always wears pink and something that sparkles to honor her baby; her baby girl. “Pink” and “tutu’s” is what everyone remembered about Syd! She was always smiling and dancing, and that's how we should remember her, it’s what she would have wanted” stated Craven.
Pink1Sparkles is the name of the infamous blog she started shortly after the tragedy. At about 6 am every morning, Craven posts to the blog about a memory, or how she is feeling every single day. Heather is determined to carry out Sydney’s memory with bows, tutu’s, sparkles, and pink. As a mom she never thought this would happen to her. “You hear stories about this stuff but never think it will happen to your family” said Craven. Her plan is to turn her 365 day of Sydney’s blog into a book for grieving parents and family.
Craven’s Blog has been viewed 94,358 times since she first started the blog only 6 months ago. One of the Viewers, Megan from Maine sent Craven a personal message because of the positive impact Craven’s blog has had in her life.
Heather receives letters and emails about her blog and positive feedback on how it has touched people, this is just one example:
“Heather, I was looking at the picture of you, Shane, Logan, and your sweet sparkler this morning and I wanted you to know something. I think of your Sydney more times a day than I could count. You have created the MOST amazing legacy for her Heather, as you have put her in all of our hearts. Like so many who never had the joy of knowing her, I feel that I have her in my heart now. And she has changed the way I live. I see the beauty in all that sparkles so much more than ever before, and I am more mindful of creating memories. Your little girl has done that for me, and for more people than I can possibly imagine. I think of you every day…. Love, Megan”
Craven isn't just spreading Syd’s memory out in her town, but all over the world. The Acrobatics & Tumbling team at Alderson Broaddus University in West Virginia honored Sydney’s memory by wearing bright colors for Syd.
Craven is an inspiration not only to parents who have lost a child, but for the whole community. She wants to be a motivational speaker one day and change people's lives. Craven has already had a huge impact on so many people and continues to be that strong mom, friend, and wife. Her blog gives others hope and inspiration that life is possible after a tragic event. She is one of a kind and always makes the most out of every situation with her spunky personality just like Syd’s. She aspires to publish her blog next year and then hopes to publish a book.
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Thank you Britt...love ya #sparkleon
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