Grieving mother of stillborn baby shocked by friend’s insensitive request
A mother who recently suffered a stillbirth at just 29 weeks has shared her horrifying story to the Choosing Beggars Subreddit.
“I didn’t want to put this out here, but I have no choice,” the woman wrote on her Facebook page.
“(Name crossed out) bought me some beautiful gifts for Benjamin for when he was born.
“A soft fleece blanket, cuddly elephant, booties, some clothes and a singing toy.
“I didn’t ask for these things; as I said, they were gifts.”
The poster went on to explain her son Benjamin came into this world stillborn.
“A week later (Name crossed out) messages me asking if Benjamin used or touched the things she bought because if not … she wanted them back!” the woman said.
The screenshots of the messages were provided by the woman, clearly in disbelief.
“Hey, hun just wondering if u used the bits n bobs I got for the baby?” she wrote. “If not I can give them to Laura’s little one. Hope your [sic] OK and resting up hun?”
She then followed up with another message.
“Let me know hun before I buy more stuff, save a bit of money before Xmas, you know how it is.”
Finally, the grieving mother responded.
“I’m not doing OK,” she replies.
“I’m heartbroken.”
“I can’t believe you’re asking me at the moment, but yes I still have the things except for the blanket, he will be buried with it because it is warm and I thought it was stunning. I mean … I hope that’s OK for you?!?”
While many would have stopped while they were ahead, the friend clearly did not get the message.
“Aww hun, sorry I know its [sic] a tough time, I’m sorry,” she wrote. “I just needed to know before I spend anymore, is there a chance you have another blanky for him babe?
“Like you said its [sic] nice and warm and Laura’s baby can have use of that.”
“I’ve been having a tough time myself lately so I’m here online and on my phone all the time for u if you need to chat,” she then added.
“Let me know though about the blanket quickly though.”
While the woman ignored the message from her friend, the texts would not stop.
“What if I popped round tomorrow?” she wrote. “I can pick it up then babe.”
This finally provoked a response from the poor mother.
“No! Don’t come here, please,” she wrote. “The blanket is in with Benjamin!
“You can have the rest (of the things) I’ll drop them off at yours, don’t even think of coming here. My husband is fuming with these messages you are sending me a week after I lose my baby.
“They’re packed in a bag … I’ll leave them at yours. The blanket is with Benjamin he is having ‘use’ out of it thank you very much.”
The friend responded again, this time defending herself.
Reddit users took to the comments to bash the “friend” who had wanted the items returned.
“Imagine harassing a grieving mother over stuff that amounts to pocket change,” one person wrote.
“I hope the woman blocks her out of her life entirely,” another aid.
“Wow … what a garbage human.”
The poster informed the reddit chain she has since cut the friend off completely.