  |
Medcenter One Foundation:
|
Related services: |
Infant bereavement
"What we remember lives on."
Medcenter One offers a place of solitude for those tiny babies lost either before or after birth. This final resting place, named Garden of Peace, is located on a beautiful bluff at the southwest corner of Fairview Cemetery and is landscaped to provide a final resting place for these tender, tiny souls.
Granite benches, donated in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the Medcenter One Foundation and One Club, are provided for visiting family members. The Angel of Hope statue, inspired by Evans' story, "The Christmas Box," has been added to this place of solitude and reflection for all those who grieve the loss of a child.
You can help bring peace and restoration to those families who are grieving the loss of a child by contributing to this Garden of Peace. We hope you will consider a gift today.
The Christmas Box
Written by Richard Paul Evans, "The Christmas Box" is a story of a woman who mourns the loss of her child.
Evans, who wrote the fictional tale as a Christmas present for his then young daughters, began the project writing about an entirely different subject - a father who worked too much. While writing the original version, however, Evans would be interrupted by an image in his mind's eye, a vision of a young mother grieving at the base of a granite angel. It had nothing to do with his story and yet, it appeared and reappeared relentlessly. What did it mean?
Then, while sitting at his kitchen table writing lines, Evans said he felt a spiritual presence and instinctively knew that it was his little sister Sue, who had been stillborn when he was just a toddler. His little sister was carrying a message to him. His story would be about a young mother who was often seen weeping at the foot of a granite angel grieving the death of her tiny baby, unwilling and unable to "forget" the precious life that had offered so much promise but ended so suddenly and too soon.
"The Christmas Box" was passed along to family members and friends over and over again, and, in 1995, was published professionally. It has been purchased by nearly three million families, many of whom had lost a baby too soon.
Though Evans' book was meant only to reflect his love for his daughters and offer respite and reconciliation to his mother, many related to the tender story. The angel monument depicted in the story actually existed in a Salt Lake City cemetery. Hundreds of readers journeyed to the historic city in search of this place of comfort and healing. In time, nearly 100 "Angels of Hope" have been lovingly placed in parks and cemeteries throughout the country. Each includes the word "hope" inscribed on the right wing of the childlike angel.
In the news
Service held to help those who have lost a child 11.25.11
Medcenter One Birthcenter One and pastoral care departments hold a Christmas remembrance service each year on Dec. 6 to help those who have lost a child spend time grieving and to renew their hope.
Read the story »
Infant remembrance service 10.13.2010
Medcenter One is hosting an infant remembrance service Friday, Oct. 15, that is dedicated to children, like Cassidy Schafer, who were lost too soon.
View the story »
Child memorial service 12.6.08
The Medcenter One Infant and Child Bereavement Program’s Christmas Remembrance Service was a time for families and friends to remember children lost too soon.
View the story »
Angel of Hope dedication 10.7.07
The Medcenter One Infant and Child Bereavement Program’s Christmas Remembrance Service was a time for families and friends to remember children lost too soon.
View the story »
Precious memories 10.6.07
The Dendy family shares about the loss of their infant and how the Angel of Hope and Garden of Peace provide them with a place of reflection.
Read the story »
Recommended links
The Compassionate Friends
Supporting family after a child dies
http://www.compassionatefriends.org
National Share Office
Pregnancy and infant loss support
http://www.nationalshareoffice.com
Remembering Our Babies
The official site of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.
http://www.october15th.com
Events
Each year, Medcenter One hosts two remembrance services; one Oct. 15 which is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day and the other is a Christmas Remembrance Service held Dec. 6 each year. Both services are dedicated to all babies who died before or shortly after birth, or children of any age who have died. Those whose lives have been touched by one of these little ones are encouraged to attend.
2011 events:
Remembrance Service
Saturday, Oct. 15
Garden of Peace in Fairview Cemetery
2929 E. Century Ave., Bismarck
Christmas Remembrance Service
Tuesday, Dec. 6
Medcenter One Outpatient Services Center
414 N. Seventh St., Bismarck
For more information, call Medcenter One’s pastoral care office at 701.323.6086.
Contact information
Chaplain Burnie Kunz
Pastoral care services
bkunz@mohs.org
701.323.6086
Toll-free: 800.932.8758
| Medcenter One: 300 N. Seventh St. Bismarck, ND 58501 701.323.6000 | © 2008 Medcenter One. All Rights Reserved |
|
|