Milo

Obituary

Milo Theodore Bendall, son of Michele and Matthew Bendall, made his entrance into the world on Tuesday, November 8th, 2022 at 10:04am. Born at 40 weeks and 1 day gestation, he weighed 5 pounds 1 ounce and measured 16.5 inches. He had a full head of brown hair and was absolutely beautiful.

He showed tremendous strength and courage as he fought to breathe and stay alive long enough for his adoring siblings and grandparents to meet him. Milo was surrounded by love as his family held his hands and stroked his head, sang him Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and said “I love you Milo” more times than you could count. Milo emanated pure love.

Two hours after his birth, his parents held Milo in their arms and bathed him with their tears as he left this world and the body that housed his selfless spirit.

Though short, his life has already had a deep impact. He has taught us to cherish each other and remember that each day is a gift. He will always be a part of our family and forever in our hearts.

Milo is survived by his older sisters, Madeleine (4) and Matilda (2), and his older brother Malcolm (2). His maternal grandparents are Kim and Julio Enciso of Portland, OR. His paternal grandparents are Debbie and Dan Bendall of Potomac, MD.

Milo & the Monarchs

During the last trimester of my pregnancy this summer, we were thrilled to find more than a dozen monarch caterpillars happily munching on our milkweed. We celebrated as they formed chrysalises and emerged as beautiful monarch butterflies. Some never formed chrysalises and some never emerged. One day, we saw a beautiful butterfly emerge, but it couldn’t fly. Later, I found its wing on our driveway. It was hard to see this as I was contemplating Milo’s fate and realizing that his life might be similar.

No matter the outcome, we can find beauty and hope in the journey as we choose to enjoy each step of the way, however many steps we manage to take. It brought us so much happiness to see these caterpillars enjoying the milkweed we had planted — even if they never formed a chrysalis or became a butterfly. While still in the womb, Milo brought us closer together as a family and filled our hearts with love. We waited with anticipation and hope. We enjoyed each kick, each day we had. We were reminded that life and birth wasn’t something to be taken for granted. It’s actually a miracle.

Some may think Milo’s condition was nature’s mistake. But I believe that things happen for a reason. There is meaning, beauty, and worth in every life, every soul. There is something to be admired, to be learned, to be felt. And we will never be the same.

Monarchs will always remind us of Milo and the beauty in his life, and we hope they will remind you of him too.

Give in Milo's Memory

Isaiah’s Promise provides families, who decide to carry to term after receiving a severe or fatal prenatal diagnosis, support, information, friendship and hope.

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Cradling Memories helps provide perinatal families anticipating a limited life or experiencing a loss with resources to make a lifetime of memories.

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NILMDTS offers the gift of healing, hope and honor to parents experiencing the death of a baby through the overwhelming power of remembrance portraits.

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In Loving Memory of

Milo Theodore Bendall

Obituary

Milo's Remembrance

Milo & the Monarchs

Give in Milo's Memory