MASON CITY – One year ago, Thursday, June 9, Ashlee Mills gave birth to a son, Braylon. At five days old, Braylon was rushed in for emergency heart surgery. Due to complications with the surgery, they had to take 13 day old, Braylon off life support.
In memory of her son and for all other mothers that has suffered from a loss of a child, Ashlee wanted to do something, something simple and special that could be done every year.
At Braylon’s funeral, balloons were released, so this gave Ashlee the idea of doing this same ceremony in East Park. “I wanted to release the balloons in Braylon’s memory and for all other babies who weren’t able to live full lifes. With all the other deaths lately, especially Kadyn’s, the bad memories hit me hard. I know how all these mothers feel.
“It took us an hour to fill the three hundred balloons. We went to rent the hydrogen tank from Huber Supply, when I told them what we were doing, they gave us the tank for half price,” said Ashlee.
After the three hundred balloons were released, the children at the park filled up individual balloons and let them go. Colton, Ashlee’s four year old nephew and cousin to Braylon, released his balloon and said, “I’m so sorry this happened to you. Please let my balloon fly away and help you.” He watched the balloon until it had totally disappeared.
Ashlee said, “It was nice that the rain let up for the balloon release.” The weather gave a short window of no rain, but started back up again as soon as the balloons had flown away.
