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A Grieving Mother’s Request

A Grieving Mother’s Request

The start to this new year has been hard for me. The gaping hole where Toby should be every day is magnified and the grief that I walk with each day seems heavier. How can that be? I have no idea. I read a comment from a loss dad yesterday that said it feels like "not that long ago, but an eternity" all in the same moment. Pretty spot on. I haven't written a lot over the past few months,...

6th Annual Random Acts of Kindness Campaign

6th Annual Random Acts of Kindness Campaign

On Monday, August 1, we are kicking off our 6th Annual Random Acts of Kindness (RAOK) Campaign! 🧡🎉 All month long, we’ll be encouraging you to do, share, and challenge others to complete random acts of kindness throughout August in Toby's honor. Tobias Graham "Toby" Stern. 10 weeks old. Just take a photo of your RAOK and share it to your feed or story! Make sure to tag us in the post, include your state in the caption or location...

2022 Building Bridges Campaign: The Little Fox – Toby’s Foundation

2022 Building Bridges Campaign: The Little Fox – Toby’s Foundation

The Little Fox - Toby's Foundation is honored to be chosen by Tri-State Office Furniture and WTAE-TV Pittsburgh for the 2022 Building Bridges Campaign. There is a lot of love and work that has gone in to making this documentary over the past few months and Hearst Television did a phenomenal job at telling Toby's Story. We are so grateful for the support of  our mission by these amazing Pittsburgh organizations. Click the link below to view the full interview...

This Season of Grief

This Season of Grief

I’ve had to pray a lot more (than usual) this past month. I know I’ve talked before, but this is my season of grief. These are the days when the pain hits hard. Like take me to my knees, not able to catch my breath, pain. I spent two weeks writing the names of over 100 babies for us to honor during Wave of Light vigil and I found myself wondering about all of them. Did they know Toby? What...

What’s Heaven Like?

What’s Heaven Like?

I wonder if it’s always sunny in Heaven? Does it get cold? Do you help the Angels make snowflakes before they fall to earth? Does Heaven have a Spring season? Or do the flowers always bloom anew? Do you have a bedtime? What size shoe do you wear? How fast can you run? And do you like to jump in puddles? I always thought you’d be a baseball player. That you’d be our boy who was the all-star pitcher. I...

Today Is The Trigger

Today Is The Trigger

Most people would look at this picture and laugh. The lady at the grocery store probably looked at me, saw parents with two small boys and a grocery cart full of food and just chalked it up to motherhood. It’s not that. I woke every hour last night and kept checking the clock. Luke came into the bedroom this morning and said “when are you getting up? It’s afternoon already!” I shot up in bed, petrified that it actually was....

Our Final Days – Four Years Later

Our Final Days – Four Years Later

This is the last picture we have as a family of four. I was forcefully reminded as I started my morning commute today that this is the week I hate. The recurring flashbacks of those final days for our family, of what we thought was a normal week. Crazy mornings trying to get Toby fed, Luke dressed, ready and out the door for work and school. Schedules coordinated for pick-up and drop off of two boys. School buses making each...

Fourth Annual Random Acts of Kindness Campaign

Fourth Annual Random Acts of Kindness Campaign

Our Fourth Annual Random Acts of Kindness Campaign kicks off on Saturday, August 1 and we would love your help to Pay it Forward the entire month of August! We are focusing our efforts on doing random acts of kindness around the Pittsburgh region, where our family lives, works, and plays, as well as some virtual Random Acts of Kindness (RAOK). You can download the RAOK Cards below. These are double-sided, business card size, leave-behinds that you can use when...

Keep Me In The Moment

Keep Me In The Moment

I am having a hard week. Each morning. Waking up. Getting ready for the day. It is my season of grief, which is heaviest because these are the days, when Toby was here with us, four years ago. [caption id="attachment_2398" align="aligncenter" width="768"] Toby & Mommy - August 2016[/caption] I continue to think about what it would be like to have him here, with all of us. Three little sets of feet running around. A need for three swimsuits, instead of...

Looking for the Light

Looking for the Light

I’ve looked at this picture 100xs since Wednesday morning. I was up early and crying before I even lifted my head off my pillow. I miss Toby. I want to hold my son. I want to say “You’re four!” And see him smile or laugh at me. I want to hear him laugh. I want to hug him and not let go. May 27, 2016 Wednesday I sat on the couch and waited for the sun. I thought it would...