Mission Statement

Our mission is to honor loss with love. We serve widows and bereaved mothers through intentional acts of remembrance -delivering flowers and gifts on days that can feel especially heavy so they know their grief is seen, their loved ones are remembered,and their lives continue to hold deep meaning.

"There's never been a moment you were forgotten."
Lauren Daigle

Our Mission

This project has grown from humble roots. In February 2021 it launched in the driveway of our Founder, Ashley Manning's home. Though we have grown our mission has been the same since day one.

Our mission is to honor loss with love. We serve widows and bereaved mothers through intentional acts of remembrance -delivering flowers and gifts on days that can feel especially heavy so they know their grief is seen, their loved ones are remembered,and their lives continue to hold deep meaning.

WATCH LOVE GROW | VALENTINE'S DAY WIDOW OUTREACH | A MOTHER'S LOVE

2026 IN KIND SPONSORS

This project and its growth would not be possible without the generosity of our community as well as in kind donations from so many local and national businesses.

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Mission Sponsors
$10,000+

CHRIS AND KELLI NARVESON

BEN AND ALEXIS THOMPSON

Legacy Sponsors
$5,000+

Jillian Myers
Schwarz, Superak and Palles Families
Porter Hinton and Carla Variglotti

Growth Sponsors
Donated $2,500+

Margaret Thompson
Molly Brown
Patrick Family Foundation
Vic and Kelly Warnement
The Carroll Family
Kathy Izard
Gary and Jodi Michel
Kim Ransom Family
Julie and Mike Kavanagh
Hill and Meredith Peebles

This picture was taken after my Grandfathers funeral. My grandma and her 12 children - 3 boys and 9 girls. She was a widow at 49. She was extraordinary. She lived the definition of being a faithful servant - serving others until she died. I have been so emotional this year thinking about her. I can hardly write.

My mom was the third youngest. She is in the white cardigan at the bottom - she was ten. I am going to share her words instead.

“He was 51 years old. Turned 51 on May 2. He died on Memorial Day 1969. My mom was 49. I think there were eight of us still at home. I remember my mom telling me that he died because my girlfriend called to see if I could go to the memorial Day parade and I said what should I tell her cause it was weird to say my dad died I can’t go. I just turned 10.

I kind of remember the funeral but not with great detail. I remember saying he looks like he’s sleeping. I kind of remember my grandfather‘s funeral a little more he died six months before my dad. My grandfather was buried on Christmas Eve 1968. I remember that.

She got very involved in an organization called Parents Without Partners. We did a lot of fun things with that organization, and she was the widow of the year. I am pretty sure we got a trip to Ocean City Maryland that year. It was good for her. Involvement with other widows. And Widow Wears. I don’t think she ever really dated anybody though.”

This project is in honor of my Grandmother, Marjorie Moehring. She has left her legacy in us - her 39 grandchildren 85 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren.

Watch love grow.

#valentinesdaywidowoutreach #widow #grief #watchlovegrow #loveyourneighbor

We have big fundraising goals this year and to help us get there we will be holding a silent auction. It will be open to the public and will conclude at the Galentine’s event on February 6th!

If you would like to contribute or know someone who might like to contribute, please shoot me a message!

♥️♥️♥️

Friends!! Our sweet @ambermahanesshealy - owner and founder of @elizabsclt welcomed her twin boys last week!! While everyone is doing well the boys will be in the NICU for several weeks.

Amber has poured into SO MANY OF US in our community. She paid the balance needed to launch A Mother’s Love. She spearheaded an amazing trip to Disney for the family of @the.gift.of.grace and has done more behind the scenes giving than any of us will ever know!

We want to overwhelm her with love - showing her just how much she means to us! We anticipate using the funds to help with meals, laundry and possibly night nurses when they get home!

Hosted by @elizabethpoplin @kaitlinbensch and @prettythings.charlotte

Please share and Watch love grow.

We opened nominations and donations 10 days ago. In 10 days we have received 887 nominations and almost $45,000! Please help us continue this momentum!!

I am SO PROUD OF OUR COMMUNITY!

we are working hard on logistics and details surrounding the event - especially our needs for delivery on February 14th! Once those are finalized - our volunteer opportunities will be opened. I’m expecting that to happen at the end of next week.

Watch love grow.

This popped up on my Timehop today (from three years ago) and it reminded me - our children are always watching.

When I started my floral business, my youngest was never far from my side. He’d gather my extra flowers and make his own arrangements. One day I found him in the bathroom, quietly creating… just like his mama. He didn’t even fuss when I started to take the video of him - he was so proud.

My hope is that our children are watching how we love our neighbors — because one day, they’ll be the ones who carry this work forward. ♥️

#watchlovegrow #loveyourneighbor #valentinesdaywidowoutreach #love #children

Every flower we deliver starts with a thoughtful decision long before it ever reaches a widow’s doorstep. This video gives you a behind-the-scenes look at our day yesterday as we established the recipe for the 2026 Watch love Grow | Valentine’s Day Widow Outreach Project!

Before Watch Love Grow ever existed, I purchased all of my flowers as a florist through Mayesh. In 2021 - I told my rep about my idea and she was quick to jump on board. @mayeshcharlotte did not hesitate to partner with us in ways that have made this mission possible from the very beginning.

Today, selecting flowers for our Valentine’s Day Widow Outreach is both an art and a responsibility. I work with a team at Mayesh carefully pouring over my vision - aligning it with pricing and availability lists to determine what designs we can create most affordably, because stewarding our budget well allows us to serve more widows.

Next, we have to see our selections together where we pull and replace and move and change potential flower options until it is just right. What you see in this video is live footage of us walking through the cooler, pulling stems, and physically building the recipe — making sure everything works together and feels just right before we move forward.

I want to thank @mayeshcharlotte for their hands-on support and partnership as well as @mayesh HQ for helping us with logistics and procurement as this initiative expands across the country!

#watchlovegrow #loveyourneighbor #valentinesdaywidowoutreach #widow #grief

We are often asked what types of donations are most helpful — here are some ideas that have been loved over the years:

✨ Savory treats
✨ Sweet treats
✨ Charlotte-made or local items
✨ Stationery
✨ Gift cards to local businesses
✨ Wine
✨ Stanley Cups (still legendary!)
✨ Widower-specific items like coffee

Our goal is to serve 2,000 people in Charlotte, but we happily and gratefully accept donations in any quantity. Thank you for being part of this mission.

Watch love grow.

We are SO EXCITED to serve our community again this year! Please note the location change. We have outgrown William Davie Park - and will be working at New City Church in Southpark.

Volunteer opportunities will be shared in the coming weeks as we finalize our 2026 schedule. Donors will receive early access to the SignUpGenius link, just as in years past.

Your support makes this work possible — thank you for helping us serve our community. ♥️

Nominations for the 2026 Valentine’s Day Widow Outreach Project are LIVE on our website!

www.watchlovegrowoutreach.org

We have additional locations outside of the Charlotte area that will allow us to expand our reach this year - including Winston Salem, Wake Forest and Denver, North Carolina as well as Lancaster, Columbia, and Rock Hill, South Carolina!

While we can guarantee delivery in the Charlotte area - confirmation for your nominees outside of Charlotte, will come in early February!

Watch Love Grow | Valentine’s Day Widow Outreach Project 2026 is about to launch!!! 2025 was an incredible year and we served almost 1500 Widows in the Carolinas — from Rock Hill, SC to Asheville, NC and everywhere in between! This year we will launch in four additional cities in the Carolinas, allowing our reach to go even further!

2026 Nominations for Charlotte will open tomorrow morning, January 1st - on our website. If you would like to make a contribution to this years project — we would be so grateful!! Volunteer openings will launch in a few weeks!

You will find all links in our Bio or at www.watchlovegrowoutreach.org

Photos by @cheyenneschultz

#watchlovegrow #loveyourneighbor #valentinesdaywidowoutreach #widow #grief

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” — John 1:5

I was able to order additional vessels for Holiday Blooms - you can DM me to order for pick up on Tuesday evening or Wednesday am.

These are made primarily of greens and accents that will last through the holidays - including fresh magnolia tips, Juniper, Carolina Cypress, antique hydrangeas, riceflower, roses, lysmachia and more. Some of the fresh flowers will fade but can be removed and replaced while still maintaining the overall shape and aesthetic of the arrangement.

XL round - $215
Medium round - $145
XL long and low - $215
Medium long low - $145

I have a couple of orchids available for pick up today! DM me to grab one! $125 each ♥️🎄♥️

I had the chance to talk to the amazing folks @1800flowers about the Valentine’s Day Widow Outreach Project in their series —Celebrate Your Story. Thank you for your time and intention in sharing our story!

You can see the whole interview here!

https://youtu.be/Zl3UVYs1TKg

#watchlovegrow #valentinesdaywidowoutreach #loveyourneighbor

Offering Holiday Centerpieces - these are made primarily of greens and accents that will last through the holidays —including fresh magnolia tips, Juniper, Carolina Cypress, antique hydrangeas, riceflower, roses, lysmachia and more. Some of the fresh flowers will fade but can be removed and replaced while still maintaining the overall shape and aesthetic of the arrangement.

Very limited availability. DM to order.

XL round (seen in video) $215
Medium round - $145
XL long and low - $215
Medium long low - $145

A couple of months ago, a dear friend came to me with the idea to host a luncheon to kick off fundraising for 2026 Watch Love Grow | Valentine’s Day Widow Outreach Project. If you have been here a while, you know that asking for money is my least favorite part of this mission — but I know it is necessary to be able to serve.

A small group of women who have given so generously in the last 5 years came together to learn more about Watch Love Grow and the impact we are making in our community and beyond.

We talked about the future and my dreams for this ministry. We prayed together, we chatted, we ate and we made flowers. Our beloved @jillianamyers - a local widow talked about how this project has impacted her and also her family and the importance of the work we are doing.

The hosts of this luncheon had an ambitious goal of raising $30,000. I just smiled when they told me - thinking that is a lot and we will be lucky to raise half of that. But — in just one afternoon, the women at this luncheon collectively pledged $84,500 toward the 2026 Watch Love Grow | Valentine’s Day Widow Outreach Project goal!!

It am humbled by the generosity of these women and I don’t think I can even come close to articulating my gratitude. Thank you from the bottom of my heart - for believing that what we do for these women really does matter.

To our hosts @kellysuperak and @schufitz - Thank you for believing in this project enough to give your time and energy and resources and support to Watch Love Grow.

Thank you @kinstonphotography for the beautiful photos and @karakyklas for the delicious sweet treats!

I can’t wait to share more about 2026 - stay tuned!

We are honored to be recognized as one of the 2025 Charlotteans of the Year. We also learned that this will be the last publication of Charlotte Magazine - making it even more bittersweet.

Thank you @charlottemag for sharing our story. ♥️

Back in September, I did an interview with Charlotte magazine - it was kind of out of the ordinary because we aren’t really close to the Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day. They never mentioned what the interview would be used for and I didn’t ask - I was just appreciative to get to share our story. Last week I learned it was for Charlotte Magazine’s Charlotteans of the Year issue - WatchLoveGrow was honored as one of the Charlotteans of the Year - leaving me completely stunned and deeply honored.

Thank you to the Charlotte Magazine team for believing that love, kindness, and community care are stories worth telling. This recognition does not belong to me alone — notice it says WatchLoveGrow and not Ashley Manning — it belongs to our community, to every recipient, volunteer, donor, delivery driver, and person that has opened their heart to this mission.

Thank you Erin P for the video!!

#WatchLoveGrow #CharlotteansOfTheYear #CharlotteMagazine #SpreadLove #Nonprofit #CommunityLove

@charlottemag @mayeshcharlotte @mayeshwholesale @accentdecorinc @kinstonphotography @cheyenneschultz @katiebedenbaughphotography @newcity.us

Two years ago, when Grace’s family received the news no parent should ever hear, our community gathered around them with so much love. Together, we created a second birthday for Grace that felt nothing short of holy — an afternoon filled with light, laughter, and a kind of tenderness you never forget. It was a reminder that even in the hardest seasons, love shows up.

Today, I’m sharing the words from sweet @the.gift.of.grace mother below and as we honor Grace tomorrow, I’m asking each of you to let her story move you toward kindness. Find one small, unexpected way to love someone — a stranger, a neighbor, a friend who needs it more than they’re saying. If you feel comfortable, please share your acts and tag @the.gift.of.grace so we can lift up Grace’s light together and inspire others to join in.

“Thursday is Grace’s 4th birthday. Once again, this special day comes with a lot of emotions; especially when I know of another INAD child who never saw her 5th. It’s such a hard reality to live in. But just like every day, I have a choice in how I handle it - to be sad and dwell; or to be thankful she’s still with us.

Grace was coincidentally born on World Kindness Day. I like to think that maybe it wasn’t a coincidence at all. Maybe instead of focusing on the hard that November 13th brings - there’s a choice in how to celebrate this day... with kindness and grace.

I think about it all the time — how we never truly know what people are going through. I’m willing to bet random strangers I see daily have no idea I have a terminally ill child at home. I often contemplate what stories others are carrying when I’m out and about. The way our
community has supported our family has made a huge difference for us.
So I try to pay that forward, because kindness matters more than we realize sometimes.

In honor of Grace, I challenge you to be extra kind on Thursday. Go out of your way to do something for someone else. Maybe pay for a stranger’s coffee... give an unexpected compliment... let someone over in traffic or send a friend an encouraging text.

(Cont in comments)

It was an honor to create the flower arrangements for my dear friend @rachellee_8 nonprofit — a mission born from the brief but powerful life of their daughter, Madelyn. She spent just eight days in the NICU before going home to Jesus, and in the ten years since, her parents have turned their grief into a legacy of love - supporting countless other families walking that same road. 🎀

This marks my fifth year creating these arrangements, and every bloom feels like a small tribute to the beauty, strength, and hope that Madelyn’s life continues to inspire.

Photos - @carissarogers
Balloons - @twist_n_shout_balloons
Balloons - @theposhballoon
Lights - @alphalitcharlotte
Linens - @partytables_linensanddrapery
Decor - @curatedeventscharlotte

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Phil Wickham’s Hymn of Heaven is such a powerful song about the day we will stand before Jesus face to face—and be reunited with those who have gone before us, especially the heroes of our faith. Those who lived fearlessly—not afraid to profess the gospel, not afraid to stand on their convictions, and not afraid to share their love for Jesus.

Until that day comes, I want to live faithfully with my eyes fixed on Him, and I want everyone to know the most beautiful love story that ever existed.

If you don’t know Jesus, I would love to tell you more. I’m not perfect, and I never will be—but I will do my best to show you love, just as He has shown His love to us. ♥️

Just a little update from today. Thank you for loving me. Please keep praying ♥️

Hi friends! ♥️

I just wanted to let you all know that I’m doing well, and I’m so thankful for your prayers and the way you’ve loved me and my family so well.

Last Wednesday I had a scare and went straight to the doctor. My neighbor (Leila - pictured) picked me up, and my husband and friends stepped in to care for the kids. I had started noticing some new floaters, which can sometimes be a concerning sign. Thankfully, while I did have a posterior vitreous detachment, my retina is intact — such a blessing! He was more concerned about the significant inflammation in that eye, so my doctor increased my steroid, and I’ll go back tomorrow for a follow-up.

Every day that I wake up and can see, I count it as a gift. In light of everything that’s happened this past week, I felt a little silly sending an update, and I’m sorry if I caused any unnecessary worry.

By four weeks post-op, things should be considered stable. While I’m still anxious and sometimes afraid, each day that passes I feel a little more confident — and I’m trusting Him through it all!

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” -John Wesley

Heavenly Father,

Our hearts are heavy as we walk through these painful days. We don’t always understand why things happen, but we know You are close to the brokenhearted. Thank You for reminding us to love our neighbors without question—without regard to politics, religion, or any dividing line. Teach us to see people through Your eyes and to comfort them with Your love. May every act of kindness seen or unseen - be a light that points back to You. Heal what is broken, bring peace where there is pain, and strengthen us to keep showing love.

God Bless America.

Heavenly Father,

I come before You with a heart full of gratitude. Thank You for guiding the hands of the surgeon and for the perfect outcome of this surgery. Thank You for the peace that has filled me, even when my heart was anxious. I know this peace can only come from You.

Lord, as my eye heals in these critical days, I ask for Your continued protection. Keep the vitreous intact and let every part of my eye remain strong and secure. Guard me from anything that could cause strain or harm.

Thank You for surrounding me with such love and support through friends, family, and prayer. I am humbled by it, and I know it is a reflection of Your love poured out through them. May I always use my life to honor You and give You glory.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Oh friends - the journey with my vision is not over. I have kept this quiet but as we approach my surgery date, I feel like I’m supposed to share. I know that I am not in a great place mentally with everything that I am going to share and I am sorry for that. I am so prayerful that I will get through this and be right back to where I had work so hard to get over these last few years.

Early on, we shared the news with the care team at church. As I walked by a friend that weekend she told me that Satan has a target on my back. That he works hard to destroy those who share their faith and those who build up His Army. I hadn’t thought about it that way and then in some sick kind or way it almost made me feel better. He will not take me out - I will continue to serve and love my community— along side all of you.

A Mother’s Love launched in May 2025. For Mothers Day we created and delivered flowers to women in the Charlotte area who have lost a child. They were nominated by friends or family to receive these gifts.

If you have followed along, you know that I am never at shortage of words.
I want to share a beautiful story about A Mother’s Love 2025. I hope you will read along. I hope you will be inspired and I hope you will join us next year.

#watchlovegrow

Beauty from ashes. ♥️

“In case you missed it live: 12-year-old Skyler Derrington took the Fox & Friends stage with a moving live performance of Mystic Hallelujah — a powerful tribute to her Camp Mystic experience and the faith that carried her through 🙏🏼”

Repost from @foxandfriends

Hi friends! Happy Summer!! June was jampacked with end of season travel sports tournaments - from Florida to the mountains of Asheville - Myrtle Beach and more - the Mannings were busy!

I could not wait until July - to soak in some time with the people who mean the most. I have realized over the years that the beach is like heaven to me - and I am sure for so many of you as well. It is the only place where I don’t have to compete with anyone for the time and attention of my children and husband - it’s just us and that time is such a gift! We settle in to being content - not needing endless entertainment or play dates or practices. Our biggest accomplishment is likely who caught the biggest fish or found the biggest shark tooth. It truly is the closest thing on this side to Heaven - for me.

I have spent a lot of time, reflecting on not only my role as a mother and wife but also my desire to continue to spread love and goodness in our community and beyond. My heart is wrecked over the sadness that so many have had to endure - I have spent alot of time in prayer for the families of those lost in Texas - and for the devastation that still encompasses the Carolina mountains - and the uncertainty, our world faces every day. My mind and heart are exploring ways that we can show Love to these people in their grief.

Anyhow, I am excited for the fall and getting back into the groove of work, but I sure am enjoying this time right now.

I am hopeful that you all have found a little time this summer to enjoy what matters most. Sending so much love to you all. 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

Magnolias are in bloom and make the perfect centerpiece for the holiday weekend! Just snip and arrange at varying heights. The flowers will open quickly - so best to cut and assemble as close to your event as possible. Once they are done blooming - the petals will fall but the beautiful glossy hunter green leaves with backs almost like suede will last for weeks!

#magnolia #magnolias #freshcut #forage #centerpiece #diyflowers

Denim and a Degree! Such a fun theme!

Kentucky grad - Wakeforest bound! Congratulations sweet @amanimohammed__

You and your momma know how to throw a party!

🍹 @your_charlotte_bartender
🌺 @prettythings.charlotte
📷 @amanimohammed__
✨ @theahausmedia
🎶 @_djcharlottefinest
🎈 @antonmilanodesigns

#denimandadegree #graduation #graduationdecor #toffeerose #scabiosapod #whimsyflowers #graduationflower #kentucky

The second and third shifts included unboxing vases, building boxes, decorating envelopes, building recipe buckets then creating arrangements and finally cleaning up after a long day!

All of the arrangements were tucked into the foyer of @newcity.us where we would initiate deliveries the next morning.

Thank you to this army of volunteers that worked so hard to get everything done - just before the sky broke loose and a huge thunderstorm hit!

Thank you to @cheyenneschultz for these incredible photos.

I received the sweetest video and I am sharing with permission. I love that she wants to bless the other bereaved moms - even in her own grief.

I have loved to hear the stories about deliveries. Some said it felt like they came from Heaven . Some shared the sweet way the recipients talked about their lost child. Some stayed for minutes some for an hour - but each delivery was so special. One volunteer told me that she prayed over the flowers before leaving them at a doorstep. This is how we love our neighbors.

Please feel share your stories ♥️

#watchlovegrow #loveyourneighbor #amotherslove #loss #grief #mothersday

The goal for our first shift on Thursday was to unpack all 9400 stems that we ordered from @mayeshwholesale and get them in water to rehydrate. We strip the leaves and thorns so that they are ready to be arranged Thursday evening!

The overall shift was pretty special. The stories of the women who were there to volunteer were really beautiful. One table of women were there to honor one of their best friends, son Bryant. They hugged and cried and talked about him and how much they loved him and his mother. I also got to meet the beautiful mom of Liam. She was there will her 9 week old baby girl and a sweet friend. He passed two years ago and I did the flowers for his funeral. I remember working in my studio with my worship music on just praying over his family. His mom introduced herself to me when she arrived, and we both cried. It was a full circle moment for me - assurance that this project was meant to be. We talked and smiled and laughed and cried - telling one another about the lives of the children that we were honoring through the event.

We had amazing iced lattes from @sorellacoffee - provided by @emilyeodom - truly delicious! @cltpropsupply and @theposhballoon teamed up again to create the Watch Love Grow marquee and balloon backdrop.

I hope you can feel the love in this community of women by watching this video. It is so real.

Special thanks to @katiebedenbaughphotography for the beautiful photos and @kinstonphotography and @shelleywilfong for the video in this reel!

#watchlovegrow #love #loveyourneighbor #grief #charlotte #mothersday #bereavedmother

Thank you @ginawsoc9 and @wsoctv for sharing this ministry! It means so much.

A Mother’s Love 2025.

Deliveries tomorrow.

One more day.

Thank you @lindseyreganthorne for your creativity and heart.

#watchlovegrow #loveyourneighbor #amotherslove #love #grief #community #loveyourneighbor

Tomorrow we kick off!

A sweet story from today about two cardinals.

#cardinals #loss #mothersday #grief #love #community

Just some of the blooms in our first A Mother’s Love arrangement ♥️

Tutorial and more coming tomorrow.

3 days.

42 years ago today, my mother in law lost her son, Richard Collin Manning. After a normal and healthy pregnancy, Collin was born with significant genetic abnormalities. My father-in-law was in his fourth year of medical school at Jefferson. They were fortunate to have one of the nations best geneticists work with them on Collins case. While he never fit a specific genetic diagnosis, their best prognosis is that something happened early in the pregnancy when all of the systems were developing that subsequently affected almost every system in his body.

While they were hopeful that he would survive at just two months he spiked a very high fever of 107 degrees and that lead to other complications that his little body could not fight.

My husband was just days away from turning two when Collin passed.

I often think about my mother-in-law and her strength to carry on all of these years. She had three more children after Collin. Sometimes you will see her with a tear running down her face. When you notice she almost always says she was thinking about Collin, maybe it was special day like his birthday or a milestone that he didn’t get to pass or a memory. He is very much still a part of her heart. Her tenderness towards other women who have lost a child is also a reflection of her own loss.

His little pictures sit around their home in Pennsylvania and we talk about him and ask questions. We get texts reminding us that it is his birthday. Luke and his cousin Brooklyne were born on March 5th and March 3rd and their birthdays added together are Collins Birthday, March 8th. Brandon’s grandmother also went to Heaven on Collins birthday. Seemingly little signs of him. He was really here.

I know their reunion in Heaven will be beautiful.

The poem by @divinedesigncollectiveinc in the last two photos makes me think of my mother in law and her beautiful boy.

This project is in honor of Collin.

4 days.

Many of you probably remember baby Ben. A year and a half ago at 6 months of age, he was diagnosed with leukodystrophy while his family was deployed in Hawaii. Ben needed to get home and medical transport wasn’t an option. I came to this page and begged for anyone to help us get him home - and - an amazing and generous Good Samaritan Family, from Charlotte, personally paid to fly their family home to the United States so that Ben could get proper care. They were able to have the support from their family and the best medical care by getting home.

Baby Ben passed away in November. As soon as I saw the name on my phone, my heart sank. Much like the story of @the.gift.of.grace everyone anticipated his death - they knew it would happen but when it really happened, it brought us to our knees. A month later, a family friend of Ben drove to Charlotte and dropped off all of the feeding tube formula that they had left over after he passed, we then delivered that formula to sweet Grace.

Do you see the way the He is connecting us? Strangers coming together to love and care for one another in their pain. When Ben was diagnosed I talked to his momma a lot, she was so angry and sad. I felt those same things but he was not my child. The thought of it being my child made me want to vomit. I didn’t know what to say - nothing would make it better. I just told her that my prayer was that in all of the pain and heartache that she would see that God was still there - that He would feel near. That is still my prayer. He was there on the flight home from the Good Samaritan, He was there in the little moments, He was there in the memories that they got to make.

I have been praying for the mommas that will receive flowers on Friday. I pray that they would feel His love and also our love - that they would know that we “see” their pain and that we remember their child. I ask that you pray for these mommas this week.

This project is in honor of Ben.

6 days.

@marinalynn43 @kaitlinbensch

@kaitlinbensch is my friend and also my daughters teacher. She is a beautiful part of our community and she living every mother’s worst fear. Please read about Grace - she provides such intimate perspective and vulnerability. Please continue to pray for and support this family.

・・・

A friend of mine @ashmanning48 of @prettythings.charlotte recently started a local project called A Mother’s Love. It’s to remember bereaved mothers on Mother’s Day by sending them flowers. When you’ve lost a child, that’s a holiday that may cause your heart to ache. It’s one that you may not always feel like celebrating.

Is that me? Do I qualify yet? It’s not a title I would like to claim, nor wish for anyone else. It’s one I’d like to avoid completely. But I know I’ll have to call myself a bereaved mother one day. In some ways, I’ve been preparing for that title for a while. Because even though my child is still physically here; I grieve the loss of her daily. The anticipatory grief is sometimes the hardest. Knowing what is coming — slowly, yet sometimes it feels like all too quickly. I don’t usually take or post such vulnerable pictures. It’s hard to share or explain the depths of my grief. But today it felt like I should; because this is a reality for some mothers.

There are many who have walked this path before me. They understand that “grief is LOVE with no place to go”. They know the heartache that comes with being a bereaved mother; and it doesn’t just occur on one day of the year. But they keep showing up, sometimes forcing a smile; and try their best to honor their child. They make sure their baby is never forgotten. These women become a resource for others who will experience this loss. I know several of them — those who claim this title and so badly wish they didn’t have to. Each has helped me in more ways than they know.

I’m so grateful this project was created as an opportunity to remember these very deserving mothers. Next week, many will gather to make 300 bouquets to be delivered on Friday. There’s still a significant financial need to make this happen. To read more about A Mother’s Love or make a donation, please go to www.watchlovegrowoutreach.org

Easter Blessings from my family to yours!

We had a beautiful sunrise service this morning - the sky was so many pretty shades of pink and purple and then as the sun came up over the water it brought with it beautiful golden light.

He is Risen, my friends, He is Risen Indeed.

My dad - many of you know him as “Beep” was born in Western Pennsylvania into a family of dairy farmers. My grandparents, Della Elizabeth and James Nicol had 6 boys and 2 girls. Ronald, Raymond, Betty, Richard, Robert (Beep), Kathy, Roger and Randy. This photograph is of sweet Elizabeth “Betty.” They noticed things seemed off with her and took her to the local hospital to be examined. They found that she had a brain tumor and moved her to Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. Betty never came home. This was the last photo of her.

My dad has said that my grandmother was never the same after she lost Betty. My Great Uncle would drive her to the cemetery after church on Sundays. My dad remembers that she would just sit in the car and sob - often not even able to get out. I think about how made the other kids feel to see their mother so broken. I helped to care for my Grandmother as she aged and developed dementia. At the end she would tell me again and again to go check on Betty in her crib. As if she reverted to that time in her life. Prior to the dementia she would tell me that losing Betty made her so excited for Heaven - to get to see her again and balancing a yearning for Heaven will still living and being grateful was hard.

Even though my grandmother had 7 more children - that loss took a part of her heart that was never able to be replaced.

I was named after my grandmother and Betty - Ashley Elizabeth. My grandmother gave me Betty’s baby bracelet and ring - something I will cherish forever.

This project, A Mother’s Love is in honor of my grandmother and Betty. If you know someone who has lost a child please consider nominating them - we will deliver flowers and gifts on Mother’s Day in honor of that child - showing them love and that their loss is not forgotten.

www.watchlovegrowoutreach.com

#watchlovegrow #childloss #mothersday #grief #loveyourneighbor

Do not be afraid my friends. The King is coming.

“So He let those soldiers take Him in
As His friend betrayed Him with a kiss
There before the mocking crowd
Like a lamb to the slaughter didn't make a sound
Then He carried that cross to Calvary
And He shed His blood to set us free
As the nails went in and the sky went dark
The redemption of the world was on His heart.”

*this is one of my favorite songs - such a beautiful and redeeming storytelling song. Sunday is Coming - Phil Wickham

I have a BIG UPDATE!

Recently, I shared with you that my heart is being called to serve more people in our city - the people who feel forgotten in their grief. This week we will launch “A Mother’s Love.” This project will mirror many facets of the Valentine’s Day Widow Outreach Project - (And don’t worry, that project is not going anywhere!) We will be accepting nominations for women in the community who have lost a child. We will have volunteer opportunities to assemble flower arrangements and we will deliver those arrangements to these women ahead of Mother’s Day weekend.

All donations that have been given to the Valentine’s Day Widow Outreach Project will stay in that account. We will start a new fundraising campaign for “A Mother’s Love.”

I am excited to share that @harristeeter will be partnering with us and has kickstarted our fundraising with a generous donation!

To do this we had to make some slight changes to the existing non-profit. The new name will be WATCH LOVE GROW and within that nonprofit we will serve both Widows at Valentines Day with “The Valentine’s Day Widow Outreach Project” and those who have lost a child on Mothers Day with
“A Mother’s Love.”

“The Corporation is organized exclusively for charitable purposes, including, but not limited to, helping to support the emotional well-being of those who have lost a loved one by
gifting and delivering them a floral arrangement, swag bag and caring note, and including, for such
purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under
Section 501 (c)(3) and 170(c)(2) of the Code.”

I hope that you will join me in this inaugural year! Stay tuned for details in the coming week!

#watchlovegrow

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