1st Angelversary Celebration

The date was Saturday,  April 20, 2013. The skies were blue and the air was crisp. The grass was bright green and the sweet smell of newly bloomed flowers filled the air. My anxiety was high, but my heart was hopeful. The day had been one I had both looked forward to and dreaded all in the same thought for many months. Numerous hours of preparation had been put into making it both a memorable and an honorable day. Balloons were colorful and plentiful. Refreshments were delicious and appropriately presented. Donations of various items from refreshments to photography were graciously abundant and appreciated. Countless people had worked together to perfect every single detail of the event and to make sure that the ceremony was successful.

 

 



And that it was...Wyatt's first angelversary celebration was simply amazing. And by amazing I mean, bittersweet, humbling, beautiful, serene, emotional, honest, peaceful, and profound.

125 individuals purchased a "Wyatt's Wingmen" shirt in support of our celebration and in honor of our little man and over 100 people made their way to Wyatt's graveside for the balloon release on that gorgeous April day.

Celebrating from Afar:

 

 South Carolina

 

 Florida

 

England

California

 

Italy

 

Texas



$631 was raised by donations (mostly coins) and t-shirt profit. The money, along with a giant teddy bear donated by Wyatt's sweet godmother, were all mailed to the Molly Bears foundation. Approximately 14 families will receive their Molly Bear thanks to the generous donations and the love that those contributors have for our Wyatt.

 

 

 

 

 

Our Wyatt bear was passed around the crowd as the celebration went on...

 

 

 

 





Wyatt was honored with sweet and honest words, precious and heart-touching music, and tender messages sent to him on shiny, bright balloons. Pinwheels and refreshments were offered as "party favors" and "party food." The ceremony was concluded with the traditional "Happy Birthday" song as everyone gracefully released the balloons into the spring sky.

 

 



 

 





Now, this was not the celebration any mother would picture for her sweet son's first birthday, but it made my heart happy to be able to do SOMETHING to recognize his life, our journey throughout the past year, and to help others faced with the loss of a child to heal, in some small, small way.

With that said, this Momma couldn't be more proud.

We hope you enjoyed your rainbow of balloons, little guy. Kisses to you from earth to heaven. XOXO