Why We Walk for Mac

Mac Bryson Rensi was born sleeping on August 17, 2012, just shy of his due date. He had dark hair, his Daddy’s chin, my nose, and ten perfect little fingers and toes. He was beautiful. He was loved. And he should be here.

There are so many things we never got to do as Mac’s parents—birthdays we never planned, Christmas mornings we never shared, milestones we never celebrated, and a lifetime of memories we never had the chance to make. Stillbirth doesn’t only take a baby. It takes an entire lifetime you had already imagined with them.

But it can never take the love.

Mac’s life was far too short, but his impact has been anything but small. He changed us. He taught us that grief and gratitude can exist together, that a little life can leave an enormous legacy, and that love doesn’t end when a heartbeat does.

We cannot change what happened to Mac. But we can choose what we do with all the love we still have for him.

We can say his name. We can tell his story. We can support families walking this heartbreaking road. We can raise awareness about stillbirth and support prevention efforts, including education like Count the Kicks, which teaches expectant parents to know their baby’s normal movement patterns and speak up when something changes.

That is why we are Mac Bryson’s Bunch, and why we continue to participate in Lydie’s Loop.

Every donation, every person who walks beside us, and every person who remembers his name gives us another way to parent Mac—to make his life matter beyond the brief time we were given with him.

One of the most meaningful parts of Lydie’s Loop for us is seeing so many names beside Mac Bryson’s Bunch. It means more to Brian, Hagen, Suzie, Zane, and me than we could ever adequately put into words to see our family and friends show up for Mac, speak his name, and carry his memory alongside us.

Mac never had the chance to grow up surrounded by all of these people, but seeing so many come together in his name reminds us that his little life reached far beyond our family and the short time we were given with him. He is remembered. He is loved. And his life continues to matter.

For a family who has lost a child, there are few greater gifts than knowing the world remembers someone you could never forget. Every name beside Mac Bryson’s Bunch is a beautiful reminder that we are not carrying his memory alone—and that is something we will always hold close to our hearts.

This year, we registered as virtual participants, and our team members can too. You don’t have to be there in person to be part of Mac Bryson’s Bunch. Wherever you are, you can join our team, walk in Mac’s honor, or simply add your name alongside his. Near or far, having you be part of his bunch means more to our family than you know.

Please support Mac Bryson’s Bunch and help us turn our love for one very missed little boy into hope for another family.

For Mac, and for every little life that left a forever-sized mark.

And for a future with fewer empty arms.