Zoe

When we were introduced to Zoe, she had just had her first birthday. Zoe was a gorgeous, happy baby, with a sweet laugh. She loved Sully from Monster’s Inc. and Taylor Swift music. Her doctor referred her and her mother Emily to Project 4031 after Zoe was diagnosed with a rare terminal disease; Zoe was only the 15th person in the world to ever be diagnosed with this condition. Her young mother was doing her best to create memories with her little girl, and her doctor hoped Project 4031 could help.  

We were eager to make the child’s dream come true! Zoe's mother discussed a number of possible dreams with Project 4031 that fell through because they included travel that could not happen. As Zoe grew weaker, it was clear that Emily’s hope of taking Zoe to California “to show her all of the things I had hoped to someday share with her” was not a realistic dream.  

Every dashed dream wore away a little more of this young mother’s hope. When the hospice professionals let Emily know that her child’s life was waning, Emily emailed us to tell us that Zoe’s favorite thing was to be outside on her grandparents’ porch in the evening, as the sun was setting. Emily thought maybe a hammock swing to let her baby rest easily and comfortably and gently sway in the breeze would give Zoe joy. We were able to purchase that swing for her. In addition, Project 4031 purchased the urn that Zoe’s mother had lovingly chosen for her because it made her think of streets of gold. 

Emily wanted people to know Zoe. She made Zoe a TikTok star with videos of her journey. When volunteers would take goodies to the house, they were invited in to meet Zoe. Less than twelve hours before Zoe died, Emily invited us to come into her house to take pictures. We sat with the Zoe’s mother and her grandparents and godparents while they laughed and cried and told us stories. Before we left, we prayed with the family, gathered around the well-loved child. In the early morning of the next day, Zoe died peacefully in her mother’s arms. Emily was surrounded by loving family, and the family was supported by a loving community. It was a very precious thing to be a small part of. Baby Zoe made a mark on the heart of everyone who met her, and at Project 4031, we are thankful that we had the honor to meet and love Zoe.