Testimonials

“The Grief Recovery Method has been a great step in my walk with the grief and loss of my baby. It allowed me to take that extra step forward to grieve in a healthy manner, providing me with the strength and support I needed to move forward and grieve appropriately. This has opened my eyes to some things that I’ve held onto, and some unhealthy habits I had allowed myself to walk into without knowing it. It brought inner struggles I wasn’t aware of to light. I would highly recommend it to others who have struggled with a loss or any kind of past hurt. Michelle was very open and empathetic towards my feelings and listened intently to what I had to say. She never made me feel ashamed or embarrassed in any way. She explained the steps in detail and always answered any questions I had. She was very supportive and understanding.”

“At first, I felt really horrible showing up for grief group because I have my child and shouldn’t be ‘grieving’ anything. But man, was I surprised to find out that this journey truly has been full of grief for us. Grieving the moments we missed, grieving the decisions we had/have had to make, and grieving the life we thought we would have with our child. Grieving the fact that our child is forever sick with only a mended heart – no cure.

We put it off and put it off – thinking therapy for the situation wasn’t for us, or that we wouldn’t be able to take it seriously because it’s not the kind of grief you think of when that word comes to mind.

Our losses through the journey were so validated. We were made to realize how important it is to allow ourselves to miss what should have been. We finished the session with a letter full of forgiveness, apology, and emotional statements. I cried. I cried a lot. The feeling of reading that letter is something I can’t really describe, but I haven’t felt this way in almost two years, and it’s so awakening. I feel like myself again, and not consumed by my child’s diagnosis — and that…man I needed to feel like that again.” 

READ THEIR STORY HERE

“The grief recovery program definitely helped me navigate and connect with my feelings regarding my grief. It also helped me disassociate my negative coping mechanisms with the real feelings of love and longing for my children.” 

READ THEIR STORY HERE

OAW brings joy to a world that can often be full of challenges and advocacy so it’s so amazing to just celebrate our sweet boy with these photo shoots.

On Angels’ Wings has been a huge life line for my family & I. Most people tend to forget that we had a son because his time on earth was so short but OAW never forgets with the small gifts, pictures, poems and card. I definitely couldn’t have gotten through without the monthly support groups with the other grieving recipients. Matt 18:20.

OAW gave us an earthly gift that no one could ever have given us, nor can it be recreated or replaced. OAW has given us the gift of remembrance, to see her in perfect clarity time and time again, no matter how much time passes. They have given us a compassion that few offered and a love that will never be forgotten. Because of OAW, we are able to share and celebrate our baby girls life. Because of OAW, the worst time of our young lives as parents, was made into a beautiful thing as well. We will forever be grateful for them.

On Angels’ Wings has been a great source of comfort and support for me. I am forever grateful for the amazing photos they captured for us of both our angel baby and our rainbow baby. And for the continued support. It has meant a lot that they continue to reach out and let us know that we are loved, and that our little one is remembered.

OAW gave us the only photos we have of our girls together. This is not something we were prepared to think about when Reagan passed, so I’m glad this organization just showed up in our moment of need. Without them, we wouldn’t have had the mindset to have those lasting memories.

OAW means that I am not alone in my grief. I am a part of a community who loves and feels the same way I do. We struggle together, we grow together, we lift each other up, and we all understand. OAW keeps the memory of our children burning through pictures, gifts, and continued support.

OAW gives my family hope in a neverending time of devastation and tragedy. They flooded us with love, support, encouragement and compassion when we had given up on everything. They gave us priceless, everlasting memories of our son. They have truly done extreme wonders for my family and have also given me the opportunity to volunteer and help others in their  time of need.

OAW gave us some happiness in a time where we were struggling to find any. Our sweet girl had been in the hospital for quite a while and we were so ready for her to be home. They were our first family photos since she had been born and I am so grateful for them ♡

On Angel’s Wings has been an incredible source of hope and comfort. The pictures they took in the hospital are the only family pictures we will have with our son Wilder so we greatly cherish them. But OAW goes above and beyond that to connect families to others walking through grief and uncertainties. The support groups, gifts, cards and events have helped me to keep moving forward and realize that I am not alone.

They were there for every precious moment, helping us to create memories that would have otherwise been overlooked — providing encouragement and hope. The photos are beautiful, but are only a fraction of the support that we received and continue to receive every day.

OAW provided us with a glimmer of hope during the most difficult time in our lives. Not knowing if our sweet baby would survive, OAW selflessly gifted us with maternity and NICU photographs. We will be forever grateful for OAW and cherish the beautiful pictures of our family and our  tiny but mighty miracle baby.

OAW means support through the most heart-warming times in our lives, offering reassurance that Bailey’s life was acknowledged by somebody outside of our family and creating memories with our newborn rainbow baby and older daughter that include our angel baby. We are so very grateful for this organization and the people who keep it going.

On Angels’ Wings provides smiles in the midst of worry. Memories in a time of uncertainty. The beautiful pictures they have captured of our CHD warrior over the years mean so much to our family as we continue on our heart journey.

These pictures are so special to Matt and I. We appreciate these so much. To be honest we probably wouldn’t have even had maternity pictures taken focusing on the pregnancy with the diagnosis we were given. Thank you so much for all the amazing, giving people of this organization who give of themselves and their time so freely, knowing they will be emotionally impacted! We also thank the families who sacrifice their mother, wife or whatever hat they may be wearing… [so the people of this organization] can help families like us heal. The pictures are beautiful and… will forever be treasured!

OAW gave us precious memories with our daughter that we will forever cherish. These photos capture that fierce love we have for her during her short but meaningful time with us. We will forever be grateful for these images.

OAW means moments with my daughter are captured that I never thought I’d get. It means support from women that lift me up when I’m down, listen when I need to yell, encourage me when I feel defeated, and celebrate with me when my daughter is defying the odds! I am forever grateful!

OAW made an ever lasting mark on my life. I’m very grateful knowing my daughter’s life was documented and her memory will always remain, but oaw is so much more. It is support, an ear to listen, and a shoulder to cry on. You ask what OAW means to me? I ask what hope, encouragement, and support mean to you. Simply OAW is a light shining through the darkness to help guide you through the fire. My wife and I are very grateful OAW exists.

On Angels’ Wings understands in a way that few others do — they seem to know what a family needs to begin to heal.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the OAW Grief Recovery group. It was something I didn’t want to do, but knew I needed to do for myself and my family. I’m so glad that I took a leap of faith and joined. Going through this program was hard; being raw and honest about your losses is no easy task. I left this group with practical tools, a group of people who I felt comfortable sharing with, and a new perspective on what grief is and how to process it. I think everyone should be apart of a group like this at some point in their life!”

“The Grief Recovery Method completely changed my outlook and my process on how to handle my grief. I have suffered tremendous loss in my life and most people think ‘it’s gets better over time.’ The truth is, the grief doesn’t change. Life changes. It adapts and grows around grief. As much as I thought I had ‘dealt with’ my grief after so many years, I learned through the grief recovery method to finally live with my grief. And I can’t believe more people don’t know about it.”

“Going through [the Grief Recovery Method] made me open my eyes to a lot of grief that I had buried. The book and class helped me realize what all I was hiding and made me process it. Since the class I have realized that I am more open with my family and friends about my feelings and not ashamed in the way I feel. Through my honesty with others I have been happier and felt some relief and I’m able to do more and live my life again. God and I had some good conversations and I’m feeling a lot more at peace. I know it will never be the same but my rainbow is coming and I can’t wait to find out what it is.”

“After completing grief recovery group, I felt like I was in the best place I had been in two years. Before coming, I didn’t feel like I deserved to be grieving because I hadn’t lost my child, but group helped me validate my loss of the life I thought I would have with Bentlee. It’s given me the tools I need to continue processing the losses along this journey, and I feel equipped to remain strong through the grief. I’m so thankful this exists and that I took the leap to complete the Grief Recovery Method.”