Talan’s Tree of Stories
Talan Alexander Hillman was born on April 20, 2025, at just 23 weeks gestation, weighing just over one pound.
Despite his size, he arrived in the world crying and making his presence known. His severe prematurity meant Talan needed constant care from his amazing health care team. Even though he was so small, he carried a light that everyone who met him could feel.
On May 5, 2025, Talan passed away peacefully in our arms due to complications of prematurity.
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a place filled with hope, fear, love, and uncertainty all at once. As parents, we felt helpless watching Talan undergo procedures and rely on so many machines.
When we were transferred to the IWK, we discovered the family library, and reading quickly became our way of parenting Talan. Each day, we sat at his bedside and read story after story. Those moments are our most cherished memories. In those moments, the NICU didn’t feel so overwhelming. We were simply his mom and dad, and he was calm and content as he listened to our voices.
After Talan’s death, his light has continued to shine in our lives. That light is what motivated us to create ‘Talan’s Tree of Stories.’
We want other NICU families to have the same comfort we found: the chance to hold a book, read to their baby, and feel connected in a place that can otherwise feel frightening and overwhelming.
Living with grief has been incredibly difficult, but the memories of reading to him bring us comfort, especially now, as we read those same stories to his big brother, Tatum, keeping Talan close in a way we can still feel. Supporting a NICU library in his honour means ensuring that love, bonding, and gentle moments are always within reach for families walking this path.
Talan may have been here for a short time, but he changed us forever. Sharing his story is our way of keeping his memory alive and helping other families in our community.
If you would like to give to Talan’s Tree of Stories, please fill out the donation form below.