Sarah and I are overcome with the outpouring of support we have been getting through words of love and encouragement. So many have asked what more they can do.
In lieu of flowers, teddy bears, or other physical gifts, donations may be made to the Cleveland Zoological Society in memory of Aiden Wallace Cook, Cleveland Zoological Society, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, OH 44109 or online at ClevelandZooSociety.org/memorial.
Donations will go towards a memorial sign in honor of Aiden that will be placed at the giraffe habitat visible to the public. Please make sure to include his name on the donation. We are working on finalizing the text for the memorial and will share photos once it is installed. The memorial stays in place for 10 years before it needs to be renewed. Overflow donated funds will apply towards the memorial's renewal.
We are also working on finding a foundation that collects money specifically for neuroblastoma research. Many of the foundations collecting for pediatric cancer donate their funds to research that does not include neuroblastoma. Other cancers such as leukemia and brain cancer get the lion's share of this research money, since neuroblastoma is not as common. Once we find a reputable foundation dedicated to our baby's cancer, we will share it.
Sarah and I have of course been struggling to get on as we cope with this impossible loss. We visited Aiden at the funeral home where we were able to hold him for the last time on Monday the 18th. Aiden was cremated on Wednesday the 20th with his giraffe outfit and overalls, little dino socks, and warm green fuzzy blanket. We picked up his remains this morning. It is a small comfort knowing he is home with us now, although it is much quieter in the house. Scarlett and Charlie are doing their best to cause a ruckus, but it's not the same.
I went back to work on Tuesday hoping a distraction might be what I need to help heal, but it has been difficult to stay focused. Sarah is on bereavement leave this week and will be back at work next week.
We've been dealing with the uncomfortable aspects of moving on. Some of which cannot wait. We got his death certificate which is needed to prove we qualify for a life event that lets us re-enroll in benefits, which must be done within 30 days of your dependants passing. We've returned some of the medical equipment Aiden was borrowing from the Clinic. We cleared through the mountain of other medical supplies at the house. We've also gone through and cleaned all of his toys and stored some of them away so that his room would be an uncluttered place we can sit quietly and remember him. We approved the proof of the text for his urn. It may be a few weeks still before we get it.
Hardly any time passes where we do not think of him and we miss him terribly. We have spent a lot of time looking at photos and watching videos of Aiden. We love our baby very much ❤️
If you insist on feeding us, as many of you have tried to do, please know that while we appreciate it very much we do not have any more fridge or freezer space! Please consider gift cards to ParTake Kitchen https://www.partakekitchen.com/product/gift-card/ (send to my email: acook123189@gmail.com) or Tovala https://www.tovala.com/gifts (send to Sarah's email seshane7@gmail.com).
