A Heartbreaking Journey: One Baby’s Short Life and a Legacy of Love

Millie Smith and Lewis Cann were thrilled when they discovered they were expecting twin girls. But joy quickly turned into sorrow when they learned that only one of their daughters would survive.

The Painful Reality

On April 30, after a long and high-risk pregnancy, Smith gave birth to identical twin girls, Callie and Skye, at 30 weeks. Tragically, Skye lived for only three hours.

Navigating Grief

While Callie lay in an incubator in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), Smith and Cann sat by, overwhelmed by their grief. Amidst this, another mother, unaware of their loss, casually remarked, “You’re so lucky not to have two babies.” Smith was devastated by the comment, and it was then that she realized her daughter Skye’s short life could help raise awareness for other grieving parents.

The Beginning of Their Journey

Back in November 2015, Millie Smith and Lewis Cann found out they were going to have their first child. Smith had a gut feeling she was carrying twins—a suspicion confirmed ten weeks later. But their happiness was short-lived. Shortly after the discovery, they received heartbreaking news: one of the babies had a fatal condition and wouldn’t make it.

The Diagnosis

During a routine scan, Smith sensed something was wrong when the doctor went silent. She learned that one of her babies had been diagnosed with anencephaly, a severe birth defect affecting about one in 4,600 babies, characterized by the absence of parts of the brain and skull. According to the CDC, “Almost all babies with anencephaly die shortly after birth.”

Preparing for Loss

Despite the tragic diagnosis, Smith and Cann decided to continue the high-risk pregnancy, giving their babies names filled with love and meaning—Skye and Callie. “Skye” was chosen to symbolize a place where they could always look up and remember their daughter.

The Birth

At 30 weeks, Smith went into labor, leading to an emergency C-section. A bereavement midwife was present, and after the delivery, Smith and Cann were given time to spend with Skye in a special area called the “Daisy Room.” Against all odds, both girls cried at birth. It was a bittersweet moment that Smith will always hold dear. She recalls, “We were cuddling Skye when she passed away. It was the worst moment in our lives, but I’m proud she fought for her time with us.”

Life in the NICU

After the birth, Callie remained in the NICU to gain strength. While most of the medical staff understood the situation, some began to stop mentioning Skye altogether. One morning, a mother of healthy twins innocently commented, “You’re lucky not to have twins,” which pierced Smith’s heart.

Creating Awareness with a Butterfly

Determined to prevent other parents from feeling the same pain, Smith created a poster for the NICU. The poster explained that a purple butterfly sticker on an incubator represented a lost twin. Butterflies were chosen to symbolize babies who had “flown away,” and purple was picked for its neutral tone. This simple symbol has become the foundation of the Skye High Foundation, which now helps spread the message worldwide.

The Legacy of the Purple Butterfly

Today, Callie is a lively seven-year-old who keeps her sister’s memory alive in countless ways, including through purple butterfly cards. Smith hopes that this symbol will provide comfort and raise awareness, helping other grieving families feel less alone.

Sharing to Spread Understanding

Millie Smith and her family’s story is a powerful reminder of love, loss, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Sharing this story helps others understand the meaning behind the purple butterfly sticker beside a newborn.