Tulsa Couple Turns Sadness Into Peace For Other Grieving Families

A young Tulsa couple is turning the heartbreaking death of their infant daughter into a way to bring peace to other grieving families. <br/><br/>The premature baby lived only a few minutes, but with the

Tuesday, May 9th 2006, 10:18 am

By: News On 6

A young Tulsa couple is turning the heartbreaking death of their infant daughter into a way to bring peace to other grieving families.

The premature baby lived only a few minutes, but with the help of strangers, her parents are creating a lasting tribute to her incredibly short life.

News on 6 reporter Heather Lewin says this is where Kiley Zelsnack spends a quiet moment every day.

She thinks about the day her daughter was born, then just 11 minutes later, died. "She was perfect, she was moving around, she was kicking me. I think that's probably the hardest part of this, because she was fine." Only halfway through her pregnancy, Kiley rushed to the hospital one night last February, but nothing could be done.

The child she named Zoey managed to touch her mother's hand, then her tiny heart stopped. The couple wanted a way to show the world their daughter was here, ever so briefly, but they couldn't afford a headstone. â€œIt was kinda tough, I'm young, my husband's young, we don't make a lot of money, we have enough to get by."

After a newspaper story about their plight, donations came pouring in. â€œThis one says Dear Sedrick and Kiley, I'm sorry for your loss and praying that you'll be blessed with another child."

So many people offered help; they quickly had more than they needed for Zoey's headstone. That's when Kiley thought of a way to help turn her grief into joy and keep her daughter's memory alive.

Kiley decided to use the extra money start a fund to help other parents in the same situation, some have a temporary courtesy marker from Floral Haven, some nothing at all. "Just because we didn't have the money doesn't mean we didnâ€™t love our daughter. It doesn't mean that we loved her less than anyone else out here."

Though she still grieves every day and says her daughter will always be with her. Kiley says the overwhelming kindness of strangers and knowing she can give something back is easing the burden. "This has been more healing to me than I ever thought possible. I knew that Zoey had a purpose in life, I believe everyone does. I think her purpose in life is this."

Donations can be sent to the Zoey Fund, PO Box 581582, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74158.