By Erika Lee, mother of Catherine (5/20/23 – 7/26/2025)

My name is Erika Lee, and I am the proud mother of two wonderful children—Catherine, who was 2 years old, and a 2-month-old son. On July 26, 2025, we lost our precious Catherine. We laid her down for a nap, but she never woke up. Catherine was born prematurely at 35 weeks due to severe preeclampsia. She spent 21 days in the NICU, and from the moment she was born, she was a fighter.

Catherine had a unique way of communicating her needs. If she threw a toy at you, it was her way of saying, “I’m done with this—you can have it.” But if she tossed a book at you, it was her way of saying, “Read this to me.” In her memory, I’ve started putting together donation backpacks for the hospital where Catherine spent her early days. My goal is to donate two backpacks each month—one for a boy and one for a girl. Each backpack will have a special theme, whether it’s Ms. Rachel, Elmo, Legos, Barbie, Dinosaurs, or something else that might bring comfort to a child in need. Every backpack, regardless of age or gender, will include a “boogie board” and Catherine’s favorite book, ABC’s by Dr. Seuss.

I am also assembling “go bags” for our local police departments. These bags will contain a stuffed animal, a coloring book, and crayons—items meant to comfort children during difficult situations when officers encounter scared or vulnerable kids.

I came across a quote that has stayed with me: “Your happiness is now their happiness.”

This resonated deeply with me as I thought about how giving to others can create a ripple effect of kindness. By giving back to children, I feel that Catherine’s happiness lives on in their smiles. My goal is to share Catherine’s infectious joy with those who need it most.

Thank you for listening to my story.