The Angel Tree

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The holidays have come and gone.  Andy and I were thankful for a lot of things last year, like JJ. Even in our loss we know we are blessed to have had him. We are thankful for our health. Our family.  Our friends – old and new.  And the friendship and support our family and friends have shown us during the most difficult time of our lives.

But, truthfully, we weren’t excited about Christmas in 2016.  We were looking forward to making memories with our son on what was to be his first Christmas.  I am a planner, and so even before he was born I had visions of what Christmas would look like.  I would buy him little gifts even if he was too young to understand.  He would have his own stocking and a “baby’s first Christmas” ornament for our tree.  I already had purchased a few winter outfits for him (what can I say, I like to buy items on sale). But most importantly, we would be a family of three this year.

Sadly, all of that is gone except for those outfits that are still hanging in his closet. For those who have lost a loved one, Christmas can be difficult to get through and fully enjoy.  I was right there with you.  So, in memory of Jensen and all of his angel friends, we dedicated our Christmas tree to all of our friends’ babies who are gone too soon.

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I needed a project to focus my energy on this holiday season, and what better way to honor and remember all of the babies who aren’t here to celebrate Christmas with their families.  One thing that has helped me through these last several months is talking with other moms who have lost their babies.  I’ve received so much love and support from these fellow loss moms, and I can’t tell you how much it means to me when one of them sends me a picture with Jensen’s name.  These gestures honestly warm my heart and make my day.

So, we made individualized ornaments in their babies’ memory (below).  Many parents provided symbols and colors that remind them of their child.  We did our best to personalize each ornament so it was extra meaningful.  Our tree is filled with the names of all of our sweet angels.  They are remembered this Christmas with so much love.

Abraham (Shannon)
Gracie Macias (Marlene)
Alonzo (@alonzo_04.02.16)
Blossom (@neverendingvalley)
Raina (Spring)
Isaac (@kristin_marie11)
Walt (@Warriorsforwalt)
Cooper (@becauseofcooper)
Avery Grace (Elizabeth)

Abraham (Shannon)
Otis Cullin (@natalieoldham93)
Emilia (@emiliashope)
Evie (@teameviealanlamb)
Aiden Noah (@angelsark_project)
Evelyn @clairekward
Indigo Evangeline (@queen_b_project)
Walt (@Warriorsforwalt)
Grace

All ornaments are posted in the gallery for download.  Please feel free to share and post these pictures.

You can read more about the making of the tree in the following six blog posts.  I also share some of the stories behind the ornaments:  The Making of a Tree ,  Another First, Feathers, Glue Dots and Sparkly Beads,  Feeling Connected, and The Completion of the Angel Tree.

Thank you to one of my closest friends (who wants to remain anonymous) for donating money to cover expenses.  Thank you also to my friend Dana for spending a Saturday morning with me in making these ornaments.

And thank you to all of the angel parents for letting me honor your child.  Although they are gone, they are not forgotten.  They are forever loved.

Our local newspaper wrote about our Angel Tree in our local newspaper, the Farmington Press. Read the story below.

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31 thoughts on “The Angel Tree”

  1. Pingback: The Unexpected Beginning – Honoring Jensen

  3. How incredibly wo derail of you and your friend. I would love to be able to have an ornament made for my sweet Abraham. We like the yellow and blue for him. Thank you so much.

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  4. What a beautiful way to honor your son, and all of our angels gone too soon. We would love if you could include our little girl Alaina on your angel tree. ❤

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  5. What a beautiful way to honor your son, and all of our angels gone too soon. We would love if you could include our little girl Alaina on your angel tree. ❤ our daughter had open heart surgery at 5 months old, so the heart with the angel wings in the picture would be so so perfect!!! Thank you so much for doing this ❤

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  8. Kara, you are so thoughtful and channeling your energy in the most perfect way. I know I replied on Instagram, but it would warm my heart if you would make an ornament for our Walt the Warrior. Thank you so much, Kara! I know Jensen is looking down on us and telling Walt, “My mama is making your mama your ornament!”

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  9. Pingback: The Making of A Tree – Honoring Jensen
  10. Pingback: Angel Tree Ornaments – Honoring Jensen

  12. What a wonderfully beautiful way to honor Jensen and all his friends gone too soon.
    I would love for Annabelle Catalina to be included in this. Something bright pink or with a small bird would be just lovely for our little girl who was stillborn 4 years ago xx

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  14. My Angel baby name is Aura. December firts will be 6 months since we lost her and I just miss her so much. What you’re doing is just so beautiful and thoughtful.
    I hope you can include her in the Angel Tree.

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  15. This so beautiful! What a thoughtful way to remember Jensen. I’d love to have my sweet Dean remembered on your tree! We lost his in August due to a chromosomal abnormality. He would have been born last week. The holidays are proving difficult, as expected.

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  16. I would be a blessing for you to honor my daughter Bella. She normally wore a bow in her hair and was dressed as Minnie Mouse. Thank you for thinking of other families.

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  17. Pingback: Feeling Connected – Honoring Jensen
  18. Pingback: The Completion of the Angel Tree – Honoring Jensen

  19. Your story lives in my heart and it breaks every time I think of your greasy loss. What a beautiful thing to do for others! You have an incredibly and amazingly big heart! I’m sure Jensen is so proud of his mama! 💙

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