Garden of Angels.

No child left un-named.

from JoeUser Forums

I have a new cause.

I recently discovered an organization called 'Garden of Angels'. 

This organization claims the bodies of abandoned infants, names them, and buries them with dignity and respect. They also promote the 'Safe Arms For Newborns' bill to try and diminish the number of discarded babies.

What a beautiful, meaningful thing.  Even though no-on eloved those babies in life, these people are loving them in death....giving them an identity, a name....some dignity. Taking them from ME's offices after they've been found thrown away like garbage in trash cans, dumpsters and such.  Making sure they're taken care of, that they're not forgotten, that people know that they were here and that they lived, if only for a little while...that someone wanted them.  I highly encourage you to follow the link and go see for yourself the work that's being done for these lost little ones: Link

When we get to our next duty station, if there's no 'Garden' already established I'm going to start one. Even if I only make a difference to one newborn...at least I've made a difference. 

misc
11,576 views 28 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Well done dharma....I think I am going through some sort of spiritual midlife crisis at the moment....so I am into 'making a difference'
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

I went through a spiritual crisis a few years ago, Gerry....so I must only be destined to live until I'm in my 60's!

Making a difference, physically, not just saying shit, has always been one of my core values.  I think that if I see a need, and know that I can fill that need and make things happen...well, then I have an obligation to do it.  I wonder sometimes what would happen if more people thought like/did that.

You know...I seem to have been giving out my email address a lot recently...but if you want to talk about it some more away from the JU public eye...you can email me at [email protected].  I'd love to hear from you...

WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
What a touching idea.  It is good to know there is such kindness out there when we are bombarded with evil these days.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
When we get to our next duty station, if there's no 'Garden' already established I'm going to start one. Even if I only make a difference to one newborn...at least I've made a difference.


Don't know if there is one here in our area or not...if not, if you come to Ohio, you can count on someone to help you out...and if you DON'T come to Ohio, then I'll see what I can do to start it here. You're right....if it makes a difference to even one child, it will all be worth it.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top

if not, if you come to Ohio, you can count on someone to help you out...and if you DON'T come to Ohio, then I'll see what I can do to start it here

That's excellent, Theresa.  I'm passing on your comment about Wright Patt to Lonesome, btw.  We've been wondering what it's like there....

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
The very idea Garden of Angels is one of the most...have you ever noticed how we don't have enough adjectives to describe the beautiful or kind hearted...well, the most beautiful act of kindness and human dignity I've heard about for a very, very long time, if not ever.

I don't cry...but i almost did. Children deserve better than this world. I guess it's up to us to give it to them.

Marco XX
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top

I know what you mean, Marco. 

My heart breaks every time I hear of one of these lost little ones being found.  If I can't stop them being born and abandoned, I can at least do something meaningful for them after they're dead.

I suppose I want to do it just as much for me as for them.  Not for the recongition or anything, but to placate my inner anger that this happens in the first place. I will at least feel that I've done something constructive.

Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
You already have.

You let is know.

Marco XX
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top

I know what you mean, but to me this isn't 'doing'.  This is talking about doing. 

 

Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
I could donate to them, but I don't think that me heart could take seeing all the "discarded" babies.  I have a hard enough time even believing that people can do such a thing to kittens and puppies...... but babies?
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top

I have a hard enough time even believing that people can do such a thing to kittens and puppies...... but babies?

I know.  It's unbelivable to me too.....but, it happens, and I want to help.  Not everyone can deal with things like this...so we all have to make a difference in our own way. I think that MY heart can take it, so I want to get into it in a 'hands-on' way. 

Apart from naming the infants, they wrap them in handmade blankets and place a little toy in their casket.  It might seem trite to some to do such a thing...but to me, that's just another gesture of love and kindness.

Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
Okay NOW I'm crying - I was almost okay until that last comment about wrapping them in blankets and putting toys in their casket (I think it was the word casket that got me)

My heart breaks so much when I read/hear stories about those babies - I look at Elana and hold her just that little bit closer and bury my nose in her neck and cry because I just can't imagine life without her or anyone wanting to hurt something so precious - it sickens me but it happens.

I hope there's something like Garden of Angels in Australia - I (like Karma) don't think my heart could take it but they have my thoughts and prayers.
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top

That was the thing that got to me too, Trina. 

I remember my own kids when they were newborn..how helpless and innocent they were, and I wonder how anyone can just discard an infant and walk away.  I simply cannot imagine.

Until I'm able to start my own Garden branch, I'm going to knit and crochet blankets for them.  I have to do something...and if that's all I can do for now, well, it's better than nothing.  I have the yarn, I have the time, and the postage costs are minimal...so it's really the least I can do.

Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
I've looked into it a bit - there's no Garden in Aus - but there's not exactly a need - instead of unnamed abandoned newborns we have named abused children (remember Jess' article) and SIDs related deaths - and there's a childrens cemetry in Perth (just perth nowhere else)

I'm still under the impression that Australians just suffer from NIMBY (not in my backyard)

actually Dharma what I'm about to paste is too long - if you don't mind I'll just create a blog for it.
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
Cool, I'll be looking for it.
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
I read the letter that Debi wrote to the babies of the Garden........man my heart hurts.  As a mom, I just can't fathom how anyone could dump a baby.  Debi is incredibly inspiring!
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top

I know, I sat there in floods of tears when I was reading that.  What amazing compassion that woman has....something I'd like to be able to mirror in my own life at some point.

I so want to make a difference, I so want to help in any way I can.

Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
dharma, thanks for the offer and I will take you up on it....I definitely have things I need to sort out and would definitely appreciate advice
Reply #19 from JoeUser Forums Top
Wow Dharma.. Thanks for letting us know... You have such a beautiful heart!
Reply #20 from JoeUser Forums Top

That's awesome, Gerry.  I'll keep an eye out for your email.

Thank you, Janders.  I'm sure there are plenty that disagree with you, but thank you anyway.

Reply #21 from JoeUser Forums Top

After thinking about this, I *know* that my heart couldn't handle seeing all those dead babies.  Our yard is filled with gophers and the rabbits eat my trees and plants because I won't let my husband kill them  (I even keep veggie peelings and feed them to the animals in the winter so that they don't get hungry).  I made my husband take care of the baby birds that killed in last week's storms because I hate to see dead animals.  It bothers me to even flush dead fish from our fish tanks.  I had dreams of a favorite fish that died in the past.  There is no way that I could handle seeing dead babies especially knowing the awful way that they died. 

I had another thought for you, Dharma.  Instead of starting a Garden, have you thought about starting a safe haven for mothers to leave their babies?  Some sort if 24 hour shelter that women can leave their babies safely.  If they leave them for over a week, then they will be turned into social services or something.  Something where the women can sign the babies over to you for care and rights after a week.  Might save the lives instead of having to bury them later.

Reply #22 from JoeUser Forums Top

Yes, Karma.  California has a 'Safe Arms For Newborns' Bill, where women can hand over their child at any hospital and walk away, no questions asked.  When we get to wherever we're going I'll see if there's such legislation on the books..if there isn't, I'll lobby and petition to get some.  If there is, I'll see what I can do to help that legislation function and work to everyone's benefit - especially the infant's and their mothers.

You're right, better to save a child than bury one.

Reply #23 from JoeUser Forums Top
I was doing some back reading and I went looking for this article so I could bring it back into the spotlight again.

What happened Karen? Does your new post have a garden of angels? Did you end up knitting those blankets and things? Did any of the others who replyed do anything? I remember this being a big discussion for those 2 days but its all but forgotten now.

Plus some of the new Joeusers should see this too - it was a great article
Reply #24 from JoeUser Forums Top

Thanks, Trina....

As far as I can tell, there isn't an established Garden of Angels in my area.  I've got a few little things knitted, and I'm going to be contacting the original organization for advice on how to start things moving.

 

Reply #25 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sounds Good!!! (my ploy didn't work - maybe now there's more traffic?)