The life of a pro football player is more than just touchdowns and triumphs. They have a personal existence off the field as well. Sometimes they must deal with soul-piercing heartbreak just like all of us. New England Patriots rookie Eli Raridon and his wife, Anna, have just experienced the crushing loss of their baby, Peter. The child died from a birth defect called anencephaly. According to the CDC, babies with this serious condition lack parts of their skull and brain. They typically pass away "shortly after birth."
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The Raridons Made the Sad Announcement on Social Media on September 29
Despite the excruciating brevity of their baby's life, the couple is finding gratitude for the short time they had him. In a sorrowful post on Instagram, they described what little Peter meant to them, and always will.
The lengthy post was apparently written by Anna. She shared that the baby was born on September 11. When Anna had a 20-week anatomy scan, she and Eli then got the shattering diagnosis. "While we are absolutely devastated that we were unable to bring our baby boy home, I am grateful to have loved him deeply, kept him safe, and had been his home for the past 9 months before he was called back to Heaven."
Anna added, "I have often found it easy to glorify the Lord when life is going well, but it is in our deepest trials that we are drawn closest to Him. We may never understand the why behind this journey, but one thing we know with certainty is that God promises to care for His children."
The Tender Love of a Mother and Father Shines in Each Word Anna Wrote
Anna's eloquence and pure sincerity are overwhelming. In the midst of their grief, the Raridons have evidently leaned into their faith to sustain them. Anna noted, "I believe our little boy was lovingly knitted together in the womb by God, knowing how deeply he would be loved by our families, our friends, Eli, and me. Though his time with us was brief, his life still precious, his purpose still meaningful, and he will forever be a part of our story."
She continued, "I have loved you every second of your life & will miss you every second of mine. What a sweet sweet reunion ours will be."
The post ends with two Biblical quotations. There is also a carousel of pics showing the two Raridons in happy times. One photo depicts the baby's tiny inked footprints on a page. Another features a rainbow above the trees. In yet another, Anna is gently touching her bare baby bump with maternal pride.
