When parents think about their children, they think about their future – what they will become, who they will marry, what they will accomplish, etc. Thoughts of legacy – how and for what one is remembered after they are gone – are generally the preoccupations of those who are advanced in years, those for whom the “finish line” is closer than the “starting.” That order of things, however, changed for Sabrina and me when we lost our daughter Taylor on the morning of December 23, 2015. In a moment, our lives were transformed from the joy and wonder of experiencing her in ‘real-time’ to the hard, cold reality of recalling her from memory. For the first time in the 24 years that she had graced our lives with her presence, we found ourselves imagining her legacy... | |
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Taylor loved children. During her time at The University of South Carolina, she had served as a nanny to the children of a couple of different families. There was hardly a week when she was not assisting some family in the care of their children. When she completed her degree in Fashion Merchandising from the university and moved to California to pursue her career, she continued to nanny children there. It was simply part of who she was.
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When our daughter Spencer announced that she and her husband were expecting their first child, Taylor announced that she would be coming back to South Carolina. She had every intention of being an active and visible aunt. We had talked about helping her open her own store. We had picked the name, and the merchandise would include, of course, baby goods. The tragedy of December 23, 2015 appeared to dash those plans.
In the early hours of our loss, our thoughts were clouded, and emotions were raw, but when we were asked about designating an entity to be the recipient of memorial gifts, there was no hesitancy. It could only be Daybreak, and so it was. The response of our friends was overwhelming and generous. As the gifts to Daybreak poured in, I was reminded of the words of the Lord Jesus when He said, “A seed that falls into the ground and dies will bear much fruit.” In God’s kindness, we were allowed to see a bit of Taylor’s legacy forming before our eyes. But there would be more.
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When the renovation of Daybreak’s new building was complete in the fall of 2016, Daybreak’s then Executive Director, Brennan Aschleman, and its then Director of Client Services, Amber Daniels, asked to meet with Sabrina and me, and when we got together, Brennan informed us that the decision had been made to name the center’s new baby boutique after Taylor. We were overwhelmed. Taylor’s dream of a “store” for the sale of baby goods had become a reality. Today the clients of Daybreak can shop and spend the “baby bucks” they accumulate in “Taylor’s Boutique.” It is, of course, only a portion of her legacy, but it is a portion for which we are so very grateful. It is a wonderful melding of the legacy of a daughter we love so dearly and the ministry that has become so much a part of our lives.
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Daybreak Devotionals – Tuesdays from 12:30pm-1:30pm. Join us May 7, 14, 21, 28 for a time of fellowship, Bible study, and prayer at Daybreak LifeCare Center. May's theme is "Starting Over".
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Baby Bottle Campaign – Mother's Day (May 12) through Father's Day (June 16), churches, businesses and organizations will be displaying baby bottle "banks" for their members/patrons/friends to stuff with pocket change, cash and checks that will later be donated to Daybreak. To find out how you and your organization can be a part of this campaign, email info@daybreakcola.org or call 803-771-6634.
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Abiding Love Adoptions Client Advocate Training – May 23, 12:30-1:30pm. Continuing education opportunity for volunteer Client Advocates. Topics to be covered:
- What adoption looks like in 2024
- Overview of legal matters pertaining to adoption in South Carolina
- How hidden biases can affect conversations with expectant moms
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Break of Day, So Far Away | |
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Local artist, Jeannie Mitchell Irvin, was commissioned to create a painting for the annual banquet. When we met with Jeannie this past fall to discuss ideas for the painting, we could not have dreamed what she would create for us. We are so excited to share the painting with our banquet guests and announce that it will be available for silent auction at Daybreak’s LifeCare Center's banquet on May 16. Starting bid will be $500. Bidders must be in attendance at the banquet to place a bid.
The title of the painting is "Break of Day, So Far Away." The heart behind the painting was to create an Angel heralding the break of day. So many of our clients find themselves overwhelmed with fear and anxiety as they face unexpected pregnancies.
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The 30"w x 40"h mixed media acrylic painting portrays an Angel standing boldly and victoriously, as it heralds the break of day and declares the truth that: "God is within her; she will not fall; God will help her at break of day." Psalm 46:5. There are indeed no unexpected pregnancies with God. He will be their help! | |
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Taylor Benton
Taylor's Boutique Legacy
Taylor Ann Benton loved children…
She frequently babysat and nannied during her high school and college years. Even after attaining a degree in fashion merchandising and moving to California to pursue a career in that field, she would regularly care for the children of friends and others.
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Sabrina Benton
Taylor's Boutique Manager
"Someone once said, 'There’s nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it’s sent away.' Having spent most of my life growing up in Myrtle Beach, that saying brings up special memories. After all, it's where I became a Christian and where I met my husband, Eddie, of 47 years."
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"My journey started out with a lot of tears! I was so concerned about not having stable housing and I was not sure where to turn for support. I had family support, but I was lacking the faith-based support system that I felt was necessary with the changes of pregnancy.
"I experienced a lot of sadness during my pregnancy because it was unexpected, and I was only working part-time. I had no idea at the time, but there was this recurring theme throughout my pregnancy. It was the scripture Jeremiah 29:11-13 that I kept seeing in random places:
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.'"
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Monthly events and meetings keep the staff of Daybreak busy, connected, and encouraged! It is such a joy to host volunteer groups, attend community events with partner ministries, provide abortion education through various speaking engagements, attend meetings to prayerfully strategize on how to reach the next generation with the truth of the gospel, and the month of April provided no shortage of opportunities to do such things. | |
Awaken Church in Columbia hosted a “Diaper and Infant Supply Drive” from April 1 through April 30 for Daybreak and its clients. Awaken Church members and friends collected donations of diapers, wipes, clothing, strollers, Pack ’n Plays, and infant car seats, to help supply Taylor’s Boutique. We are so incredibly grateful to our church partners who provide these essential baby items to our clients. Thank you, Awaken Church! | |
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