Teresa Cazares

Teresa Cazares experienced a tragedy that no mother should ever have to face. At 19-weeks pregnant, she went into pre-term labor with her first child. Her son Noah did not survive. Through the heartbreak, she was inspired to help other mothers in the same situation after receiving an outpouring of support.

“My heart was, and still is, completely broken,” said Teresa. “We had no idea our world would come crashing down.”

At Methodist Hospital Stone Oak, Teresa and her husband chose to spend the evening with Noah, holding him in their arms.

“We were able to say good-bye on our own time,” she shared. “The pastor was already home for the night, and he came back to pray over Noah and our family. That really meant a lot to us. The kindness and support we received from the doctors, nurses and staff meant the world to us.”

Before they left the hospital, the Cazares received a box of meaningful gifts from their labor and delivery team. Some of the items included a stuffed lamb that wore a beaded necklace engraved with “Noah,” a card signed by her care team and Noah’s hand and footprints, which were Teresa’s most cherished gifts.

“I slept with that lamb for a very long time,” she shared. “Their messages were very sweet and consoling. All these things the staff at Methodist did not have to provide, but they did.”

While an object cannot heal the wounds of her and her husband’s grieving hearts, these gifts brought them comfort in a dark time. Knowing many other women have walked through a similar journey, Teresa joined support groups of mothers who have lost a child through miscarriage or stillbirth. There, she heard an idea that deeply tugged at her heartstrings. Every year on her child’s heavenly birthday, one woman donates a gift to another grieving mother at the same hospital she lost her baby. As Noah’s heavenly birthday was approaching, so were anxieties and sadness.

“When I read her post, I felt like I was ‘meant’ to read it,” Teresa shared. “I thought what a great idea and doing this will bring such positivity to such a difficult day.”

Teresa started requesting donations from friends and family and was overwhelmed by the positive response. In four days, she received $255 in monetary donations, as well as generous gifts. From prayer bracelets to warm blankets to food gift cards, each item was donated with genuine care and compassion. To remind this mother she is not alone, Teresa included a personalized note sharing her and Noah’s story.

“I knew it would be so fulfilling for me if I was able to bless a mother on the hardest day of her life,” said Teresa.

When Teresa delivered the gift basket to the Methodist Hospital Stone Oak labor and delivery team, she threw in some treats for the nurses as well.

“I will never forget how comforting they were to us,” Teresa recalled. “I did not feel like just one of their many patients — I felt like they truly cared. And for that, I will be forever grateful.”

Summer Garcia, Methodist Hospital Stone Oak’s maternity coordinator, shared just how impactful this basket was to another grieving mother.

“The joy it brought her in her time of need is special,” Summer said. “For her to know a complete stranger felt her pain, understood what she was going through, and was praying for her, makes you feel warm inside.”

Thank you to Teresa and all of those who contributed to this thoughtful gift basket for helping us care for our patients like family!