Footprints in the Field

Losing a baby affects many generations of families. The need to provide validation that these babies existed, they mattered, and are not forgotten is strong – as is the need to heal. To help families who have experienced such a devastating loss, a group of community members is raising money for Footprints in the Field  A Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Garden .  On the beautiful grounds of the Calvary Church off of Rt. 322 in Boalsburg, the Footprints in the Field will be a place for generations of families to reflect, mourn and heal. The Garden, situated near two ponds, will be full of river rocks – which visitors can have inscribed to honor a lost baby and then placed in the Garden – and will be landscaped with natural flora.

There are so many stories of pregnancy and infant loss, each with a family that remembers...

Jenn and Chris Stubbs were expecting their first child. They went to a medical appointment for some tests. While sharing the results, the doctor made an awkward face, stopped looking Jenn in the eye, and crossed and uncrossed his legs. She placed her hand on her pregnant belly and the doctor said the words she and Chris will never forget, “your child… incompatible with life…” They said goodbye to their son, Logan, and now live their best lives in his honor. Jenn and Chris are comforted by remembering.

Jackie and John Hook lost her first six pregnancies. Five were ectopic pregnancies that implanted in Jackie’s fallopian tubes, could not develop, were life-threatening to her and had to be surgically removed. They lost the sixth pregnancy through a miscarriage. Jackie and John said goodbye to those six pregnancies and Jackie now companions others on their grief journeys. Jackie and John know that remembering is an important part of healing.

Hannah and Mark Holsing gave birth to her son, Josiah Emmanuel, and he lived for one and one-half hours. Their hearts erupted with joy and broke into pieces in the very same moment. Hannah and Mark said goodbye to Josiah and now share their story with others. They will always take part in remembering.

As Jenn, Chris, Jackie, John, Hannah, Mark, and Mark's mom and dad, Cathy and Ray know both the pain of loss and the power of remembering in their healing journeys, they kindly ask that you join them in contributing to this Garden. Thank you.