Help Plant Brooks' Tree of Life and Love

On January 22nd, 2025, the unthinkable happened.

Brooks Terrin Kowalski, the most perfect little boy, was born a sleeping angel 7 lbs 14 ounces, into the hands of his Mom & Dad, Sydney & Matt.

With no medical explanation, Sydney & Matt have been left to wrestle with the reality that they are now part of the 0.4% of parents who experience this same tragedy of stillbirth.

With the utmost courage & reverence for Brooks Terrin's life, they have anchored down into sacred grief, coming together to mourn, while also celebrating his glorious 9 months of life & the immense joy he brought to their lives while he was in Sydney's belly.

They are currently planning his memorial service and have a deep desire to purchase a large southern live oak tree to plant in their backyard where his celebration of life will take place.

(fully matured southern live oak tree at 75-100 years old - above)

This tree will serve as a way to connect with Brooks daily and also remain a source of joy for their future children & family to enjoy for generations to come.

In between moments of deep grief, Sydney & Matt have been rooting down into visions of the future with many kids who will climb Brooks' tree, swing on the strong branches & sit in the shade of his leaves.

It has been hard to juggle the thoughts about the future with the sorrow of today... and they are doing it with such courage & strength.

If you would like to contribute, anything from a small amount to a large donation, your contribution will be felt, honored & cherished on a deep level by Matt & Sydney (as well as their future children).

The trees they are looking at from the local nursery range from $3K up to $10K and beyond. Since "many hands make light work" - we are hoping we can get them the biggest tree possible, so their future family has the most chance of playing, climbing & swinging on the large, mature tree and enjoying its shade.

Thank you for being part of the interconnected community of both loved ones and strangers who help to make this dream come true for them.

They are ready to purchase the small one, and we are hoping to raise enough money to get them the biggest one!

>> Due to the memorial service happening soon, this fundraiser has about 2 weeks to grow & flourish before they have to decide which tree they will get, so please share on your social media, let your parents know, text a friend who would want to help do something kind for the Kowalskis, anyone you can think of. Thank you :)

*We will keep this page updated with how Sydney & Matt are doing as they journey through grief on the path to find hope & joy in their life once again.

"Trees are the Earth's endless effort to speak to the listening heaven."

With love & immense gratitude,

Wendy Snyder (Sydney & Matt's Cousin) - on behalf of their entire community of loved ones, friends & family

(visuals below of tree sizes to give you an idea of what you'll be contributing towards, depending on how much we can raise for them!)

EVEN BIGGER TREES ARE AVAILABLE THAT WOULD BE EVEN BETTER IF WE CAN RAISE EVEN MORE MONEY!