Lifted up by Angels

A couple of weeks ago, we received a message from Keri, a Well Dressed Wolf mother who lost her baby too soon. She simply wanted to share memories and photos of her happy little girl wearing our dresses for so many special moments in her short life. We were overcome with emotion. What on earth could we say or do to properly honor this precious child? Nothing, of course, will ever be enough. Still, it took only a few moments for Shannon to recall a design just coming off of the production line-- an innocent white dress with sleeves like angel wings. It felt like the perfect tribute, so our Angel Dress became the Sammie Angel Dress. Her story brought to mind other children who have been made known to us and touched our hearts, so we want to honor them here, too.

I hope you'll take a few moments to celebrate the lives of these special little girls.

Sammie Joyce Volmert

Sammie was only 17 months old when a tragic heater malfunction in her upstairs bedroom claimed her life. Though the thermostat was set to 72 degrees, the second floor temperature climbed to over 100 degrees in the night, and Sammie's young body was unable to recover.

Named after her great grandmother (Sammie) and her paternal grandmother (Joyce), she always was an angel on earth, loved by all who knew her. Charming, feminine, independent, and spunky, Sweet Sammie radiated joy-- and I feel blessed to get to know her through stories and photos.

She was the happiest little girl and was always smiling and dancing. She would eat anything (salmon and sushi since she was nine months old!) and shared my love for food and clothes. When I would pick her up from school (she started going two days a week in October) I would start to take her uncomfortable Joyfolie shoes off and she would get mad and try to put them back on. She was the light of our lives and meant everything to us. She was as sweet as she could be and everything feminine... Still, she loved to play with her brother Jackson's trucks and tried so hard to kick the soccer ball harder than he could. It would drive my husband nuts to see how many packages we would get in a day but as soon as she put a dress on and pranced around the room, mommy was forgiven. 

~Keri Volmert

Keri, a conscientious (even overprotective) mother, feels very passionate about educating others so this never happens to another family. She has created a facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/sammiejoycevolmert) to provide insight and spread awareness and we hope you will read more about it and share with others.

Maisyn Emarie Boyer

Maisyn was born on August 9, 2012. At five days old, she went into cardiac arrest and was later diagnosed with CACT, a genetic fatty oxidation disorder that prevents the body from breaking down fat into energy. CACT is one of many genetic conditions that is tested for in newborn screenings. Our family had no prior incidents of this condition so the results were extremely unexpected. From the outside looking in, you never would've guessed how fragile she was. She looked and appeared healthy. She loved bubbles and Barney. She was so friendly and outgoing. She would often yell across parking lots to strangers just to tell them hi and it always brought a smile to everyone's face. She loved shopping and would never complain about being out and about. She was so happy and so full of life despite all she had been through.

Maisyn lived a wonderful 22 months before she very suddenly passed away with her parents by her side on June 13, 2014. For such a small little person she showed our family how to live and appreciate everything in life.

~ Krystal Boyer

Krystal was carrying a baby boy when Maisyn passed away and he was born perfectly healthy (he is now fifteen months old). For more information about Maisyn and fatty oxidation disorders, please visit https://www.fodsupport.org/maisyn.htm and/or https://m.facebook.com/MaisynEmarieBoyer

Anastasia Grace Abell

Anastasia was born on April 8, 2014. She was a beautiful little blessing from God. She loved hot dogs, dancing, and playing patty cake. She loved to run free and play dress up and get all pretty! 

On May 30, 2015 she was 13 months old. We went to my stepmother's house for a family dinner. I handed the baby to my husband and he sat under a tree with her. Without warning, a 20 foot tree limb fell 50 feet leaving my husband with serious injuries and killing her two days later. Not a day goes by that I don't remember her laughter or the way she would say "bye bye". I loved watching her dance to the tv show Night Court. And I remember her coming up while I was sleeping, and she would smack me in the face and laugh! Her favorite thing was the dolly she slept with.  She always loved having her dolly with her. She also loved being in my arms... she loved snuggles and lovins... 💖

She was a true Diva, our beautiful princess Anastasia-- and everyday I carry her with me.

A piece of advice: love your children as if it is their last day on earth. Love your children and give them the love they need because at anytime God could call them home... 

~Nichole Abell

Each child is a gift from God, whether he's in my arms for a single day or in my home until college. I have often needed a reminder to cherish every bit of them. Cherish the pregnancy pains, the sweet baby breath at 2AM, the colic, the noise, the crumbs, the toys, the tantrums, the diapers... Regardless of what tomorrow has in store, these years are fleeting and no one is exempt from the passage of time. Let's thank God for all of our angels- those still with us and those who sweetly wait for us to meet them again. I'll end with the closing lines from Sammie's eulogy, delivered by a family friend:

"...He said to his disciples, 'Let the little children come to me and do not stop them, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.' If Heaven is made up of people like our Sweet Sammie, then I am 100% sure that that is where I also want to be."

We couldn't agree more. *Please feel free to share your own stories, memories, or names of angels you have known. ❤