Valarie Watts’ world was shattered when her baby boy, Noah, was stillborn in 2013. The grieving mom struggled to part with the items she had carefully chosen for her son, especially his crib. However, when a retiree named Gerald Kumpula offered to buy the crib at a garage sale, Watts felt a sense of peace knowing that he would repurpose it into something meaningful.
Gerald, a skilled craftsman, had plans to transform the crib into a bench. But after his wife, Lorene, shared the story behind the crib, they both decided to return the bench to Watts as a gift. One week later, Gerald arrived at Watts’ home with the beautifully crafted bench, made from the wood of Noah’s crib.
Watts was overwhelmed with emotion as she saw the bench for the first time. She felt a sense of comfort and peace knowing that her son’s crib had been transformed into a memorial that would allow her to cherish his memory. The bench now sits in a special place in her home, surrounded by photos, handprints, and footprints of Noah, and his ashes.
For Watts, the bench is more than just a piece of furniture; it’s a reminder of the kindness of strangers and the love that still surrounds her. She expressed her gratitude for the gift, saying, “It’s beautiful. I thought, ‘There’s still kind people out there.'” The bench has become a symbol of hope and healing for Watts, allowing her to feel her son’s presence even though he’s no longer with her.
