The death of a child is an unbearable loss, but for the family of Alby Fox, the Tasmanian 3-year-old who choked to death on a bouncy ball, they mourned publicly to help potentially save others. However, now the family is sharing an update four months after saying goodbye to their beloved toddler and the news is incredibly emotional.
Alby's mom, Anna Davis, shared that she's about to welcome a new baby while struggling with both joy and grief.
Anna, who has two other children Sage Mila Wren and Acre Roo, shared on Instagram that waiting to go into labor with her new baby comes with "a tidal wave of grief" for Alby.
She explained that as the big day approaches, she can't help but remembering the unbearable pain she felt the day that paramedics took Alby was taken away. “While paramedics fought to bring our precious Alby back from the heavens, I knelt by his side, with his hand clutched in my own, as our unborn babe kicked inside my womb," she wrote. "And in that moment, the overwhelming contrast of life and death reared its ugly beauty in a way I never conceived possible.”
Back in February, Alby passed away after choking on a bouncy ball meant for her fourth birthday party.
The ball had been part of a package of favors for his upcoming birthday party, and after putting the ball into his mouth, the toddler began to choke.
His mom rushed to his side and gave Alby CPR for 16 minutes until paramedics arrived but despite their efforts, he tragically didn't survive.
The story, which struck the hearts of Anna’s 155,000 Instagram followers, caused an immediate outpouring of love. Even resulting in a GoFundMe page where people could donate to the family, (they ultimately raised $200,000). Though as anyone can see from Anna’s deeply personal new Instagram post, the love and support cannot outweigh the pain she’s been through.
As her baby's birth approaches, Anna revealed how difficult it's been mentally adjusting to welcoming her new child.
“The last few days have been spent swimming through a tidal wave of grief, grappling with the almost incomprehensible thoughts of one sweet life slipping through our fingers only four months ago, while physically and mentally preparing to guide our next little starling into the universe,” she wrote.
Although getting pregnant after the death of another child is more common than you would think, Anna is in the unique position of having already been pregnant before her middle child died. This means that while Anna suffered loss and grief, she was also feeling a new life and preparing for her family to expand. That makes this typically joyful moment feel tinged with sadness.
Anna has gotten real about her grief many times since Alby's death, but promises to move past her pain as she welcomes baby number 4.
"Sometimes this grief is raw and unbridled and takes us all by surprise," she added. "And all that we can do is surrender, allow our tears to cleanse the fire, and then set it free ."
