Angel Kisses Unveils Statue at Roseland Park Cemetery

Under a gray sky on Wednesday afternoon, members of support group Angel Kisses unveiled a statue at in Berkley that honors the lives of children lost at birth and the mourning process of their loved ones.

While there were tears during the brief ceremony, which was held under a burgundy-colored canopy in the area where many stillborn children are interred, there also was a sense of hope.

Angel Kisses member Tracy Roberts of Ferndale was overcome with emotion as she got up to speak before the group and asked fellow member Anna La Fountain, also of Ferndale, to say a few words instead.

"Coming here three-and-a-half years ago was the most difficult thing I ever did and then it became the most comforting thing I ever did," said La Fountain, whose daughter, Scarlette Rose, was stillborn at 19 weeks gestation.

La Fountain told the group that she spent many days during the year following her daughter's passing at the cemetery and that her son, whom she held in her arms Wednesday, even sat up for the first time near his sister's grave.

"We want to be able to tell people there are places like this," she said. "There are options after (a child dies)."

For example, Roberts said, there are two support groups available through Beaumont Hospital: "Looking Ahead," for bereaved parents, and "Pregnant After a Loss."

 at has also has been created thanks to Angel Kisses.

No one is ever prepared for such a loss, said Joanne Mulhere, a high-risk obstetrics social worker at Beaumont who suggested the following ways to help parents during the healing process:

• Call the baby by his or her name.
• Encourage the parents to talk and be a good listener.
• Offer to bring food, shop or clean for the grieving parents.
• Send cards or flowers.
• Remember the baby at anniversaries and holidays, which can be difficult times for the parents.

Never say “God must have needed an angel” or “This must have happened because there was something wrong with the baby,” Mulhere said. Instead, say “I’m sorry for your loss” and leave it at that, she said.

Those who would like to help also can volunteer with or donate to Angel Kisses, said member Amy Allen of South Lyon, who added that the group plans to hold a fundraiser from 2 to 8 p.m. Feb. 25 in Royal Oak.

"This is our fourth one, so we expect a big turnout," she said.

Woody's will donate 20 percent of its food and beverage sales during the event – which will include a silent auction, raffles, a 50/50 drawing and a moment of silence at 6 p.m. – to Angel Kisses.

"One-hundred percent of what's raised goes back to helping others," via Beaumont and St. John Providence Health System's hospitals, Allen said.

Since its inception, Angel Kisses has raised $53,000, which was used to create the bereavement room at Beaumont, as well as the memorial at Roseland Park, according to Roberts.

She said that during 2012, Angel Kisses aims to do more education outreach through doctors and hospitals and to continue supporting families at Beaumont.

"There's hope ahead," La Fountain said. "There really is."

If you would like to volunteer with Angel Kisses, e-mail tracy.roberts@angelkisses.org. If you would like to make a donation to the group, e-mail leahmonteith@angelkisses.org.