Teenage Life Chronicles: Makenna Reaches Milestone Age on 2-9-25
Monday
The 16th birthday of the family's stillborn daughter, Julianne, was commemorated this week with a special tradition. Originally celebrated in Greenville, NC with homemade stromboli at a nearby park followed by a visit to Julianne's grave, the family now alternates between observing the occasion and skipping it depending on their schedules and children's interests. This year, with no pressing engagements, the family prepared stromboli and marked the day by sharing memories and visiting Julianne's grave.
Tuesday
The emphasis of the day shifted towards learning about Gutzon Borglum and Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. The children sculpted clay replicas of monuments and Makenna, in particular, crafted a grizzly bear on a stump, a delightful piece. After the project, they participated in square dancing, an activity popular in North Dakota.
Friday
Makenna, now thirteen, celebrated her birthday with a Trix breakfast, cranberry steel cut oats for lunch, and grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner. She amused her siblings with "Duck of the Day" and decorated a dragon-themed cake for herself. Throughout the day, she spoke with her cousin, planned activities, and enjoyed games and schoolwork with her siblings.
Saturday
The family spent the day gathering firewood and dead branches from the woods, including a playful attempt to topple small trees. The boys spent their afternoon constructing a fort in their bedroom, while the girls engaged in crocheting and audio book listening. Tilly penned a late birthday book for Makenna as a gift.
This Week's Vlogs
In honor of Julianne, the family marked her birthday by preserving memories of their lost loved one through cherished traditions. Makenna pursued educational and creative activities related to her studies on Gutzon Borglum and Mount Rushmore. Her projects included research, art, writing, and writing a book as a heartfelt birthday gift.
Watch the vlog to learn more about the family's experiences and activities this week.
[1] "How Families Honor Stillborn Babies." Verywell Family, Verywell Family, 22 Feb. 2020, https://www.verywellfamily.com/how-families-remember-stillborn-babies-2376464.
[2] "Ways to Honor a Loss Angel." The Birthful Podcast, The Birthful Podcast, 23 Jan. 2019, https://thebirthful.com/ways-to-honor-a-loss-angel/.
[3] "Honoring Our Stillborn Child on Birthday." The Bump, The Bump, 11 Nov. 2019, https://www.thebump.com/a/traditions-for-honoring-babies-who-have-died.
[4] "Ways We Remember Our Stillborn Babies." Today's Parent, Today’s Parent, 17 Mar. 2020, https://www.todaysparent.com/baby/baby-loss/ways-to-remember-our-stillborn-babies/.
- The family's lifestyle includes alternating between honoring their stillborn daughter Julianne and engaging in education and self-development activities, such as Makenna's projects on Gutzon Borglum and Mount Rushmore.
- Family dynamics in this home are rich and diverse, with activities ranging from fashion-and-beauty (decorating a dragon-themed cake) to home-and-garden (gathering firewood and constructing a fort) to learning and personal growth (researching, sculpting, writing, and reading).
- Relationships within the family are strengthened through shared experiences and traditions, such as commemorating Julianne's birthday and celebrating birthdays with unique meal plans and homemade gifts like Tilly's late birthday book for Makenna.
