Theodore’s Heart Initiative Newsletter:

Eighth Edition

Video update from our founder:

We are extremely excited to announce that in honor of Theodore’s first birthday we have reached a major milestone in our research and development in order to be able to demonstrate a real time proof of concept of our AI assisted detection tool. In this video I go into detail about our goal the concept of our solution and show a demo of the detection and quality rating models in action in prodution frame rates on a sample video made up of real world ultrasound images.

Founder Chris Ellerson speaks on the proof of concept demonstration.

Voices from Theodore’s Village:

In honor of Theo’s first birthday we’ve collected a few meaningful notes from our friends & family to share in memorial. While we’ve all learned there are no right words, it is clear that as we all reach for the right thing to say we land squarely on the love Theodore’s presence generated.

Theodore, today is your special day, the day you came early even though you didn’t stay. You’d be one year old today and I imagine all the times we’d have already laughed and played.

You’ll forever be my little guy. I’ll always be your mommy and from now until I’m old and grey I’ll make a cake for you and celebrate you on your birthday. It fills my heart with hope to know that even though you aren’t here, I’ll have a cake for you, year after year. We’ll celebrate the love we have and remember your tiny toes and tiny hands. We’ll talk about the memories we have and laugh and smile through our tears. Though our grief will never fully go, I know that cake after cake it will help our little family grow, reminding us to continue and to enjoy the earthly things you cannot.

Then one day when my hands are wrinkled and my life shines through my speckled skin, proving that I did my best to live my life and let light in. When whisking cake batter is just too much and my mixing bowl is heavy, I’ll still rest easy on that birthday because I’ll know the time has come. We’ll celebrate together soon, and that’s the best thing I could do as your forever mom.

Love, Mommy

Theodore,

You would have found out real quick that I’m not so good at words, but I like to think you would know my love through my actions. It is this that I have leaned on through this year without you. I was so excited to get to be there with you while you discovered new interests and passions over the years and helped you to explore all the amazing experiences life has to offer. Without that I am left with bringing your memory with me on all of my own. Every Run, Ride, Hike, or long grind on a project you are with me, and It is in the really hard moments that I feel closest to you and for that I find myself seeking those struggles more and more. I’ve heard the mental place people go to while struggling through a long run referred to as the “pain cave” but I think I’ll call it the “play pen” because I feel like I can go there to be with you.

Theodore’s Heart Initiative itself has proven to be a great outlet for action and a way to be present with you. Selfishly I will continue to bury my head in the technical details of how we can make things better for other families so that I can continue to do that work that keeps me close to you. And while my words are pretty crummy hopefully this action will let you and the world know how loved you are.

Love, Dad

Hi Theodore,

I cannot believe it has been one year since you were so briefly on this planet. I remember toasting shots with your great-grandparents and uncle Kody when we got the news that you were born. We were filled with such immense deep love for you and we hadn't even met. Your dad told me you needed heart surgery and I was filled with a combination of worry and hope, and then we got the news that it was too late. Every one of your ancestors cursed the cosmos for not letting us take your place, we would have made any sacrifice for you to be here with your parents. We all love you that much little one. I don't know how to put into words the hole that exists in my life without you here. There are so many moments I wanted to share with you, my little nephew.

Rue

On the day
That you were born
We celebrated
The sky was clear and there was family around
grandpa gave us whiskey

On the day that you were born
Hearts were heavy and full
Plans were coming together and love was too

On the day that you were born I felt the new love in the world
What’s cool is that love stuck around after you left us
It is a difficult kind of love
But we have all grown and learned from it
Things we never could have learned otherwise
I love you

- Uncle Kody

Each letter represents one of each of us… The T missing a puzzle piece is from Aunt Kim, The binary H says, “Always with us”, from Uncle Mike. Cousin Em painted the E, and Cousin Wesley composed and played an original piece for Theo and the O is a sound wave representation of the music. The Youtube video features the musical overlay, and will open in another browser if you click the image.

We love you guys so much and send all of our thoughts and love!!!

The Bonner’s

Nestled in Paradise

Forever its home

Forever its sanctuary

Safe and warm by the glow of the pink paradise

The blue bird sat and idled

Not rushed nor in a hurry

Just connected

Pure bliss while absorbing the world it was in

A sense of serenity surrounded the blue bird

Knowing he was at peace, in his pink paradise.

Original painting & poem created with love for Theo by Auntie Haley

Here are the things from which I could not part,

for this little boy, Theo, close to my heart.

I would have held you and tickled your feet,

and loved you completely, pure and deep.

I would have taught you Spanish, line by line,

and watched your little world slowly combine.

And though I never got to stay and see,

you still became someone so dear to me.

Here’s to what would have been your first year.

Love,

Auntie Ivonne

To my grandson, the baby boy who is so fiercely loved by many & moved our hearts immensely, we so deeply wish you could have stayed. Your great grandpa of whom you hold a namesake used to read this poem to me, which I did not get a chance to do for you. Theodore Anton Michael Ellerson, you would be turning one today, a steady age in which to imagine your sleepy little eyes, & to which I would read, I bestow to you;

Wynken, Blynken & Nod

Always & Forever,

Grandma Aj

Loving and Forgiving

"The earth that wakes from winter's sleep,

The birds that sing, the streams that leap,

In every blade of summer grass,

I feel your gentle spirit pass.

No lonely tomb holds what was bright,

You are the morning’s growing light."

Emily Brontë (1846)

The sunset from my home on May 26th of 2025. This picture makes me think of you.

-Pappy Mike

Hello Theodore,

This is Great Grandpa Joe.

You don’t know me, cause we never got a chance to meet, but I am thinking of you on this special day.

Today, your first Birthday, oh how I wish …. There’s so much love I have for you I can only send in this letter, and hope it makes its way through the cosmos to you. I look forward to meeting you when I cross that rainbow bridge, and am able to share the many stories I have waiting to tell you. I have a nick name I use when remembering you, Teddy boy!

Till we finally meet, know you are loved and missed by all.

Great Grandpa Joe