Photo: Mamie's Poppy Plates website
LITTLE ROCK, Ar (KTHV) -- Father's Day is a time to celebrate and honor the men in our lives who teach and love us. Some stories can bring tears of joy.
Taylor Adams is one young father who has a bittersweet story. Adams and his wife started a non-profit organization from a difficult time in their life. They created Mamie's Poppy Plates whose mission is to provide tangible mementos to families at no charge, are customized with the baby's footprints, name and birth information.
On a muggy, summer afternoon Taylor holds a sweet picture of something many fathers love to show off: his infant daughter's hand in his. But it's extra special --- since there will never be any more pictures of her. He and his wife, Sarah, recall the day she was born as they sit on their front lawn: a place they now call "Mamie's Garden"
Sarah says, "They sent me over to St. Vincent where they induced labor and we had Mamie on June 25, 2009 and she was stillborn. She was perfect. Beautiful and perfect."
Pride AND sorrow flash across the faces of these young parents... Taylor says, "We are still grieving. We think about Mamie every day. Obviously having a son--we have a son named Burke--he just turned one today--has helped a lot. And then with Mamie's Poppy Plates that's really helped. Just seeing the joy we give to other families by giving them plates has really helped."
Mamie's Poppy Plates -- a sweet remembrance of a baby's hand and footprints. It's the Adams' way of making sure every other family who's suffered a stillbirth or infant death finds a bit of comfort when they leave the hospital. After Mamie's delivery, the Adams attended grief recovery meetings.
Taylor says, "There were a couple of times I was the only dad at the class but I didn't mind because it was good just being there. And each time there was a new loss, there would be a new dad so I felt like I could help them. Ya know? Kinda pay it back to the dads who were there on MY first visit!"
Taylor's taken that support and run with it--helping with the non-profit and sharing the message of hope. All while making sure he enjoys every second with his baby boy Burke. And it never goes unnoticed.
"He is an amazing father. Everything he has gone through. He's been an amazing husband, an amazing dad. He remembers Mamie...I can see it when he walks through the door when he sees Burke and he can't wait to hug and love on him. He's a good Dad."
You may be curious where the "poppy" came from in the name.
When an ultrasound showed baby Mamie about the size of a poppy seed--they casually called her "Poppy Seed Adams" until they chose a name. Thus--Mamie's Poppy Plates was born.
There are several poppy-inspired decorations around the Adams home.
The organization is hosting the first "Race to Remember" 5k Saturday, June 23 to raise awareness and funds. Hundreds of participants are already signed up. To find out more click here.
To date, the group helps grieving families in 10 Arkansas hospitals and counting.