stillbirth

Acknowledging what has happened is such a significant part of processing trauma. What OAW provides is a tangible way to acknowledge both the loss and the love. Giving families something real to hold onto—especially when everything else feels shattered—is something that cannot be replaced.

We continue to keep Elizabeth’s memory alive every day. The pictures from the hospital hang on our wall. Every time we see a rainbow, we say that’s Elizabeth looking down on us. We talk about her often—when we try something new or reach a milestone, we include her in the conversation.

It’s hard to imagine a life without the perspective and hope that stillbirth has brought me. And it’s even harder to imagine a life where I never got to love my son — even if it was only for a moment.

There’s always a feeling that something — or someone — is missing. Sometimes it hits like a wave. Other times it’s more subtle, like that nagging sense of “I’m forgetting something.” But I’m not. I’m remembering someone: my son.

Nothing else can even come close to the support On Angels’ Wings has given us. They continuously check on us and keep our kids’ memories alive. Their organization and support mean everything to me. I’ve made lifelong friendships with people who truly care and understand what I’ve been through.

Learn more about what stillbirth is, why stillbirth still occurs, and stillbirth risks to help educate yourself and others about this difficult-to-talk-about topic. 

While it feels so unfair, we also know it’s not something we will fully understand on this side of Heaven. What we do know is that Anna Jess will always be part of our family. She will always be our daughter and the sister to her siblings—three living and one in Heaven. One day, we’ll…

Her birth was healing. It was everything we hoped it could be. Every second of her pregnancy felt like we were holding our breath—and finally, we could exhale.

The photos OAW took of Gracie mean so much to us. They give me something to remember her by—something real to hold on to. We try to attend everything we can with OAW. The women there are wonderful. The events help me cope with the loss.

The photos that On Angels’ Wings provided mean the world to us. The pictures of our sweet angel Jackie are the only ones we have of him, and we will cherish them forever. Our family photos—capturing our beautiful chaos—are just as special.