One year ago today, our little Afton was born. I am in shock that a whole year has passed since she was with us for that brief time. That oh so brief time when time stopped. It really feels like yesterday.
She has changed our lives in so many ways. Her short life is a constant reminder to me that our Heavenly Father has a plan for each one of us. Accepting her plan here on earth (as her mother), has been one of the hardest things for me to do. One sweet day I will understand it all.
Knowing we will be with her again is a treasure I hold dear.
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” – the Sermon on the Mount
My sweet friend Danyelle made this little heart pin after our little Afton passed. It’s perfect for how we feel about our little Afton.
Today will be a day full of love, tears, laughter and a lot of reflection on the beautiful life of our little Afton and the plan that our Heavenly Father has for each one of us. I know she will be with us, as I know she has been with us so many times this year.
We are planning a service project in Afton’s honor that I will talk more about next week. We are naming it “Afton’s Angels”. We want to be her angels here on earth. Join us today and this week by serving and loving your loved ones a little more. Hug your children a little longer today and tell them that you love them, because life is too short not to do it often. If you are on Instagram, I’d love to have you join me by using the hashtag #AftonsAngels to connect us all together loving and serving those around us.
My most favorite picture we have of Afton without all the cords was edited by a sweet reader last year. One of the many acts of kindness we received. (thank you again.)
We love you little Afton Jean. Happy 1st Birthday.
Connect with me:
Dearest Kami…breaking my heart, but there is also so much love and hope and dignity and loyalty…
I’ll be joining you this week. You know, amidst all the grudgy and dirty and unhealthy and negative things we are also bound to hear about and experience and come across on this earth, your attitude and the impact your pure little Afton angel baby has had on your lives is a ray of light. XOXO
Thank you Valerie. <3 You have been such a sweet support to me with your kind comments when I share about our little Afton. Bless your sweet heart.
Such a poignant story and the most precious of photos. My heart broke for you when I first read your story and saw Afton’s picture a few months back. Thank gentle Jesus for his gift beyond measure that we will all get to meet her one day. It is amazing how this picture shows that she is so connected with you and how she holds on to your finger as if she somehow knows that it has to last you a lifetime. Happy Birthday precious Afton and God Bless you and your family.
Thank you Nancy. You made me tear up. Thank you for your kind words. <3
Thinking of you today. I agree with Nancy-how connected she is with you, like she just knows it has to last a lifetime. Love you, Sarah.
Thank you Sarah! For “imaginary friend” you have been such a sweet support to me through this. Thank you friend. <3
Hi,
I am thinking of you and praying for your little Afton today (angels need prayers, too!). I, too, lost my son too early and it is so hard. Life is full of mysteries and there are so many things we don’t know- I encourage you to “live in the mystery” of life. Little Afton’s life was such a blessing and even though I don’t know you in real life, I feel like it has touched mine too.
Rose
Thank you Rose. I’m so sorry to hear about your sweet son. One sweet day we will get to be with them again. <3
Words can not describe my feelings when I thought I would find a website with teaching stuff and I found your beautiful baby’s picture. Both my boys were born premature, the first one with 27 weeks on the pregnancy. And to see my thoughts printed in your website, was unbelieveble. I thought so too, that when he was born, he had changed my life in such a short time. Bod bless Afton, you and your family. You all will always be in my prayers. You’re an example of strength and love.
Thank you Ana. <3 I’m so glad to hear we share this sweet blessing. Thank you for your kind words.
kami, thank you so much for sharing your journey of healing with us, with me. our family is on a similar journey, we passed one year of our sweet Christian passing away last month…and it is the hardest thing i have had to do, to endure, to try to come to terms with. but you are right, Heavenly Father is good and kind and has a plan for all of us. Love to you and your family as you navigate this very special day.
Thank you Jen. <3 Thank you for sharing about your sweet Christian. It truly is the hardest thing to go through losing a child. I will add a little prayer for you too.
Happy birthday to your little angel.
I’ll be thinking of you next Wednesday as well…it’s my youngest’s birthday, and I have another friend whose baby girl was still born on that day. Hugs to all of you.
Thinking and crying today about our little baby girl on her birthday. See you on Saturday. Dad and I will be with you in spirit today.
Thinking of you today. Sending a hug.
i love love love hearing your testimony shine through when you talk of sweet Afton Jean. Hope your beautiful memories and our loving Heavenly Father carry you through these next few weeks. I’ll be thinking continually of you and your sweet family.
P.S. I loved the 1 that Kyle made too! Your comment on his instagram made me smile. I could actually ‘hear’ your voice. xoxoxo
I love this idea of celebrating your sweet baby…what better way than service & love? I’ve tried to think of something to do to keep our Jackson closer to our minds & hearts throughout the year. Thank you for your example and testimony. It helps me to work harder to use the lessons I learned from our little boy’s death to do good. Hugs!
Love you and your family Kami!
Thanks Annie. <3
I hope you guys have a sweet day!
Thanks Beck!
Love this post! I hope you guys had a good day today. What a sweet angel she is… I love looking at that picture of her. We will totally join you in #aftonsangels! What a great idea.
Thank you Shaunee. You have been so kind to us this last year. Love you guys. <3
prayers and blessings to your family today!
Thank you Amber. <3
For the past year, there has not been a night when you were not included in my prayers. I so appreciate your sweet testimony, and your willingness to share your thoughts, your letters to your sweet Afton& some of the tender mercies you’ve had this past year. You are amazing, Kami.
May I share some thoughts? Years ago a family in my parents ward had a baby girl who passed away. My mom was the rs pres at the time, and I happened to be home from college the weekend they had her funeral, and even though I didn’t know the family very well, I went to help my mom prepare for the luncheon to be served afterwards. We finished up what we could a few minutes before the funeral services started, and as we started our way to the chapel, President Hinckley happened to walk in. It was awesome being in the presence of the prophet, but what I remember very clearly that day was the message he shared with the mother of that beautiful baby. He said that as parents raising children on this side of the veil, the time goes by in the blink of an eye, that we only have them as babies and children for the briefest of time, but for those whose children pass before they’ve reached adulthood, they will get to raise their children in the eternities, and will get to have the sacred moments of their childrens childhood in a more perfected light…
As I am raising my kids, I keep wanting to slow time and certain moments down…that sacred special heavenly newborn stage goes by way too fast…but as I have been so heartbroken for you, and I know you would give anything to be physically holding her and raising her now, I do think there is something pretty special about getting to know and recognize her incredible spirit for that sacred yet so brief time she was here, and also getting to have her spirit with you in your heart as well as those sweet tender mercy moments like with the bunnies, butterflies, and even the american doll story with Averie, throughout this earthly life, and then you get to raise her and have all those cherished moments that will come from her infancy and childhood in Heavenly Fathers perfect timing in the life to come.
I love your plan of AftonsAngels…what a remarkable way to honor your baby girl.
Oviously I have never met you, but I do love you and will continue to pray for you. Thank you for sharing the things you do on your blog. You inspire me to be a better person.
Wow, Kim!
What a so special note. Thank you. You made me tear up. What a neat thing to hear those words from our special Prophet Gordon B. Thank you for your continued prayers in our behalf this last year. I have felt them so much through this bittersweet year as I’ve missed Afton here with us.
Thank you for sharing this special story. So much love, Kim. <3
oh honey, I would love to give you a big hug. I look forward to hearing about what the project is all about. Such a sweet picture to cherish those beautiful moments with your little angel
Thank you sweet April. <3
Love you guys. Love little Afton. Luke and Stella still talk about her often. Hugs and kisses and prayers for your hearts to continue healing. She is watching over us!
Thanks Bree. <3 We missed you guys yesterday. We talked about what a little miracle the dress you made for Afton really was. Thank you for being such a special part of her short time here.
We love you guys, and we’re excited to see you guys next week.
Thinking of you angel Afton, you and your entire family during this difficult time. Peace & comfort to all of you. XO
Thank you Glenda. <3
You have been so sweet. Thanks for your sweet notes.
Dear Kami,
I pray that you continue to feel the peace that comes from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Your sweet little Afton will be with you always thanks to Him and His perfect plan. I love your idea about Afton’s Angels! What a nice way to honor your little girl while you are separated this very short time. I’m excited to hear more about it! Much love to you and your family.
xo. Danyelle
We would love to participate in your service project! I’m so excited to hear all about it! We are holding each other tighter today because of sweet Afton. Thank you for sharing her with all of us. I wish I had a count of how many people have been uplifted, and strengthened by your experience! Countless I would imagine, including us!!!
Dearest Kami,
Even though I don’t know you or your family please know that your story of your precious Afton has touched my heart and as her one year anniversary of becoming an angel approaches, please know I am praying for you and your family.
God Bless,
Heidi
PS: have you heard of Faiths Lodge in Wisconsin? Two of my sorority sisters have attended and are now big donors to Faith Lodge after losing their sweet baby girls. It’s a beautiful resort/ support group for grieving families. The stories they have shared in how it has helped them with their grief has been amazing.
Hi Heidi!
Thank you for your kind words. So so nice. Thanks for the info on that lodge. I’m happy to hear about places like this helping families through the grief.