California Chapter Leader, Co-Facilitator, Parental Advisory Board Member

Life seemed so perfect for Sari and Daniel Edber before July 20, 2006, when their son, Jacob Rafael Edber was born still. It was their worst nightmare that had come true. And, they were lost in their emotions, their grief, and their new reality.

They left the hospital with empty arms and broken hearts and their healing journey in the “real world” began immediately. They had a lot of unconditional love and sympathy from family and friends, but the real support stemmed from new relationships with other bereaved parents who truly know the grief that accompanies the loss of a child. They found the MISS Foundation and immediately became involved. Sari and Daniel began attending a local support group regularly, they used their online bereavement resources, and they started performing “Kindness Projects” in Jacob’s memory.

Sari was one of three stillbirth mothers who sponsored the California MISSing Angel's Bill. After almost a year of lobbying for this bill, it was signed into law in October, 2007. This was one of her ways of being Jacob’s mom, by making sure that his memory is always honored and by ensuring that his birth receives the recognition that it deserves. January 2, 2008 is when Jacob's birth certificate was rightfully issued. It is now proudly a part of a special scrapbook that Sari has made for him. It was an honor for Sari to be a part of the MAB team.

Now, Sari has begun her advocacy work with the goals of: sharing her experience and allowing others to learn from it, being a peer resource for other bereaved parents, and increasing public awareness, education, and research about stillbirth.

Sari and Daniel's healing has always revolved around keeping Jacob’s memory alive and holding him close to their hearts. And, their comfort comes from knowing that Jacob is forever a part of their family. They have been blessed with the healthy birth of a daughter, Talia Jaclyn on November 4, 2007. She is truly a blessing in their lives and will always know about her big brother, Jacob.

Jacob gave Sari and Daniel the most wonderful gift imaginable, by making them parents. He taught us about gratitude, appreciation, values, priorities, love, compassion, relationships, and healing. Most of all, he helped Sari become an even better mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend. She will never look at the world in the same way, and somehow, through all of her grief, she has learned to be thankful for this new set of eyes.

Sari can be found on the forum boards (under the screen name babyjacob).

Email Sari