Afghans for Angels - Southeastern Virginia Chapter Begins
“Afghans for Angels” was founded in 1996, after a precious little boy was born - only he had already gone to become an angel and we would never be allowed to see his eyes open. It was a very sad day. This lovely little baby was wrapped in a blanket to be held and loved by his family for the short, but precious, time during which hellos and goodbyes had to be said. Then there was nothing left to hold but the blankets he had been wrapped in.
This was his blanket. It was one of only a few tangible remembrances of a precious armful of love. But this blanket was a simple receiving blanket that had held countless little babies before him. It was washed and worn, and nothing special in its own right. How much more special it would have been if he could have been cradled in his own handmade, special blanket that had been used only by him.
Thus, the idea for the “Afghans for Angels” project was created.
The National Headquarters of “Afghans for Angels” was founded by Ruth Thill of Britt, Iowa in 1996 and is located in the state of Iowa.
Over the past six years several different chapters of Afghans for Angels have formed across the country and in March of 2001, this chapter, the second in Virginia, was formed. The first chapter of Afghans for Angels of Virginia is located in Winchester, Virginia and was founded by Elizabeth Parsons who is the Coordinator for the State Of Virginia.
On March 4, 2001, our nephew was delivered into the realm of angels. During the 24th week of pregnancy complications developed and the Lord took him unto Himself in Heaven. As soon as we were told that the baby was going to be delivered early and that he was not alive, my husband, my mother-in-law, and I began looking for clothing and a blanket in which he could be presented to his parents for their painful and bittersweet hellos and goodbyes. We found nothing that would fit this precious little angel of ours, as he was so very tiny. In a time like this it is really hard to know what to do or say to bring comfort to the parents. We felt that this wasn’t much but it was what we could do to give her something to have that was his and his alone.
I went to the hospital and held this beautiful and perfect child that the Lord had taken home to be with Him, knowing at the time that I too was carrying a child. The very hard reality overtook me, as I realized that what had happened to his mother could have just as easily happen to me.
As parents we excitedly anticipate the arrival of the baby we are carrying and the fulfillment of the hopes and dreams we have carried for our child from the moment of conception. It is not in our wildest imagination that the child we were carrying would be born early or that we would be faced with losing our baby. No expectant parent goes to the hospital expecting to need a burial gown. I cannot even begin to imagine what a mother must feel when all she is left with is a pocketful of broken dreams for her child.
It brought great sadness to me when I realized that although we do not like to think about losing a child, it does happen and can happen to anyone without as much as a warning sign.
Several weeks after our nephew’s “Going Home Service”, I was looking for a crochet pattern for a vest for my daughter when I came across the web page for “Afghans for Angels”. As I sat in front of my computer with tears streaming down my face I continued to go through the sites for the other chapters across the country. The more I searched the more the tears flowed. In going through those pages, the Lord touched my heart and has led me to start a chapter for Him in memory of our “Angel Nephew.”
It is my hope and prayer that through this ministry, something that tragically touched our lives can change the lives of others for the better. It is my hope that through his very short time Dalton was with us in the womb, someone else’s life can be touched and their pain lessened. It is my prayer that through this ministry, parents who have lost their baby will find the healing and come to know the true Comforter who can heal all their hurts and pain.
“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”
Psalm 147:3
In Loving Memory
of
Our Angel Nephew
Dalton Chase Erickson
Who went to be with Jesus
March 3, 2001
Afghans for Angels Southeastern Virginia Chapter has grown and expanded into a new additional Ministry:
Founded in Loving Memory
of
Our Precious Little Angel "Maggie"
Our Daughter
Margaret Ruthanne Stickle
Who went to be with Jesus
September 12, 2002
