A tribute to Zoe

Zoe Rose Sorrells

I wanted to make a tribute to Zoe Rose, the baby girl behind this charity effort. Zoe Rose was the daughter of Keira and Richard Sorrells and was one of three triplets. She lived for 14 months and touched the heart of everyone who knew her. I never got to meet her but from what I hear she was an amazingly sweet and strong little girl. She passed away in February, 2008 and is survived by her two sisters Avery and Lily. Her parents have dedicated their lives to helping others who have experienced a similar loss and others with young babies struggling in the NICU, all in the name and memory of their sweet Zoe Rose. They have formed the Zoe Rose Memorial Foundation, which funds Wrap Them in Roses and does SO MUCH to help others, from organizing remembrance events for families suffering from loss to fund raising festivals to help NICUs provide educational resources, to offering emotional support for families with pre-term babies and the list goes on and on. They are amazing people and have turned their loss into a source of strength for others.

If you would like some insight into the strength of this amazing woman, Keira Sorrells, read her letter of gratitude that was posted on a preemie blog recently. It is very moving and beautifully written.

Keira just told me of the meaning behind the name Wrap Them in Roses. They chose that name because Rose was their daughter Zoe's middle name and the rose symbolizes love, so when we give these quilts to these precious babies, we're "wrapping the babies in love." A gorgeous thought. I'm sure Zoe is looking down and is thrilled that so many people are making quilts in her name and that they will be used to wrap babies in love, just as she was, and still is, wrapped in love.

Avery and Lily Sorrells