Gone, but never to be forgotten

Bennett Daniel Troutman may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.

To honor his memory, his parents, Drewann and Charles Troutman, created Books From Bennett, a nonprofit organization that aims to help families who are touched by the loss of a child.

"There were decisions we thought we would never have to make," Drewann said. "There wasn't a whole lot of time to process it all. That's one of the reasons we started Books From Bennett."

Following Bennett's stillbirth, Drewann's aunt gave the grieving parents the book "Empty Cradle, Open Heart," which goes through all the questions that will be asked in the hours and days following a child's passing.

"It covered a lot of things we never thought about, like coming home and seeing all the baby stuff and having to pack it away," she said.

"It was nice seeing it from other people's views too, who have gone through the same situation," Charles added.

In the weeks following Bennett's death, sympathy cards, money and food came pouring in from family, friends and the couple's church.

"The love and support was phenomenal," Charles said.

The couple used the money to purchase 100 books and donated them to St. Luke's Hospital's Allentown and Bethlehem campuses.

Within each book is a letter from the family and their email address.

"We were hoping to help others, but this whole process has helped us too," Drewann said, adding that hearing what other women went through was amazing and helped her heal.

"You don't really hear a woman talk about her miscarriages or stillbirths," she said.

"The whole topic is really taboo. I think the common thing with these women though is we love to hear our babies' names. We find excuses to say them. We're proud moms even though our child is no longer here."

The Troutmans decided that they didn't want it to end after the one donation.

The couple is now organizing events through Books From Bennett to help raise money to purchase more books to donate to hospitals.

They are also looking for others who would like to share their story.

The Troutmans said that Books From Bennett wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for the love of family, friends, the community and the Bethany Wesleyan congregation.

"We didn't think it would become a nonprofit; that wasn't our intention," Drewann said, "but because of the overwhelming support, it has granted us an additional peace and way to give purpose to our son.

"He changed our lives forever and we're hoping his purpose was to help others as well," she added.

Anyone wishing to help can do so by mailing donations to Books From Bennett, P.O. Box 564, Lehighton, PA 18235.

Donations can be made in memory or honor of a child for $10 per book.

Share your story at mystory@booksfrombennett.org; visit www.booksfrombennett.org, or follow them at www.facebook.com/booksfrombennett.