In a touching display of love, parents Jenny and Mark Thompson from Indiana have created an unforgettable family portrait that beautifully encapsulates the themes of loss, grief, and hope. After the tragic passing of their son, they decided to get matching angel-wing tattoos to commemorate him. This month, they welcomed their new daughter, and they found a heartfelt way to include her late brother in the moment.
Jenny’s sister shared their poignant photo on social media, stating, “My sister and her husband got angel wing tattoos after their son passed away two years ago. They welcomed a baby girl in June. This moves me to tears.” The tattoos symbolize their son, Noah, who lost his life at just 14 months old. Nestled between them is their two-month-old daughter, Lily.
“He was a part of both of us, so we each wear one of his wings. He’s the angel who helped us through our darkest days. The tattoos serve as a reminder that he remains with us in spirit,” Jenny explained to Home Insemination Kit. Just like many parents embracing a new addition to their family, Jenny and Mark wanted to capture this special moment with a photoshoot. They also desired to honor Noah, even in his absence. Jenny said she had brainstormed ideas for the shoot before Lily’s arrival.
It’s a bittersweet reflection of their journey—an interplay of joy and sorrow. “Noah was diagnosed with SMA (spinal muscular atrophy) Type 1 at six months old, just after Thanksgiving,” Jenny revealed. This rare condition affects roughly 1 in 10,000 babies, as noted by the experts at March of Dimes, and impacts motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, gradually diminishing physical strength.
“We were advised to take him home and love him as much as we could because, at that time, the disease was deemed terminal,” she recalled. The following six months were filled with both cherished moments and immense challenges, as Noah required extensive medical equipment. “We quickly learned to navigate the complexities of his condition. We became more than parents; we were his medical caregivers,” she added.
The most heartbreaking aspect was the reality of his prognosis. “Coming to grips with the notion of terminal was incredibly difficult. We had never encountered SMA before being told our son would not survive,” Jenny shared.
Noah passed away from Type 1 spinal muscular atrophy in July 2015. Jenny and Mark managed to enroll him in a clinical trial for a new SMA drug, which initially seemed to improve his condition. However, he suffered a collapsed lung and ultimately spent his last days at home with his family, which Jenny described as “beautiful.”
“The grief of losing a child is unimaginable. I still can’t fathom how we drove home from the hospital without him,” she expressed. Jenny and Mark grieve differently, and she acknowledges that her approach to grief has evolved over time. “Even two years later, I’m still discovering ways to cope with my feelings,” she noted. Keeping a grief journal has been therapeutic for her, allowing her to process her thoughts.
Surrounded by love and support from friends, family, and their church community, Jenny finds solace in sharing Noah’s story. She is astonished by the widespread empathy her family has received. “The compassion from those who have heard our story, shared their own experiences, and celebrated Lily’s birth has been a beautiful reminder of the goodness in the world,” Jenny concluded.
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In summary, Jenny and Mark Thompson have created a poignant tribute to their late son while celebrating the arrival of their daughter. Through their shared experiences of loss and love, they remind us of the strength found in family and the enduring bond across life and death.
Keyphrase: Parents honor late son
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