When you’re in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), every little thing can take on a powerful meaning. For Millie Smith and her partner Lewis Cann, a simple purple butterfly sticker became a symbol of their unthinkable heartbreak and their daughter’s brief, yet meaningful life.
In just a few short weeks, they learned that their dream of welcoming twin daughters was also filled with unimaginable grief. Millie and Lewis had been eagerly anticipating their babies—Callie and Skye—when they received the devastating news that one of the twins wouldn’t survive beyond birth. Skye, their second daughter, was diagnosed with anencephaly, a condition that would leave her with a brain and skull that couldn’t support life.
For months, Millie and Lewis prepared themselves for the sorrow that would come with losing Skye. They even gave her a name—Skye—a celestial tribute to her spirit, so she would always be remembered.
When labor came early, Millie and Lewis found themselves in the quiet, sacred space of the “Daisy Room” in the hospital, surrounded by the weight of their loss. Skye was born crying, a miracle in itself. The brief three hours they shared with her before she passed were the most excruciating moments of their lives, but also ones they cherished deeply.
While Callie, their surviving twin, stayed in the NICU, Skye’s memory seemed to fade into the background for the other families there. One mother, unaware of Millie’s tragic loss, casually mentioned how lucky she was not to have twins. That innocent comment cut deep for Millie, who quietly left the room in tears.
In that moment, Millie realized the need for something simple but profound: a symbol to communicate the loss of a twin to others. She created the purple butterfly sticker—a delicate emblem to show that one of the babies in a set of twins had passed away. The butterfly, symbolizing a soul taking flight, and the color purple, chosen for its gender-neutral significance, became a quiet but powerful reminder of the grief many parents face.
Now, the purple butterfly is part of the Skye High Foundation and has spread to hospitals around the world. It’s more than just a sticker—it’s a symbol of remembrance and support for parents dealing with the loss of a child.
Today, Callie is a lively seven-year-old, but Skye’s memory lives on through the purple butterflies that have taken on many forms: from stuffed animals to blankets and ornaments, all carrying the legacy of a lost twin.
Millie Smith’s story is a testament to resilience. She turned her family’s heartbreak into a force for good, creating a simple yet powerful symbol that helps parents navigate the unimaginable. If you ever see a purple butterfly near a newborn, now you know what it means—and the incredible strength behind it.
Please, share this story so others can understand the significance of the purple butterfly and how it helps parents during one of the most difficult times of their lives.
