A poignant family portrait has captured hearts online, blending themes of loss, grief, and hope. Parents Sarah and Tom Bennett from Indiana chose to memorialize their late son by getting matching angel-wing tattoos after his passing a few years ago. Recently, they welcomed their new daughter and found a heartfelt way to include her late brother in their family photos.
Sarah’s sister shared the touching image on Twitter, stating, “My sister & her husband got angel wing tattoos after their son died two years ago. They had a baby girl in June. This moves me to tears.” The tattoos symbolize their son, Oliver, who tragically passed away at just 14 months old. The baby nestled between them is their two-month-old daughter, Lily.
“He was part of both of us, so we each carry one of his wings. He was the angel that kept us together during our darkest moments. The tattoos remind us that he is always with us in spirit,” Sarah shared in an interview. Like many families welcoming a new arrival, the Bennetts wanted to capture this moment in a photoshoot with Lily while also honoring Oliver’s memory. Sarah began contemplating ways to incorporate their son into the shoot even before Lily was born.
“It felt so special to have our tribute to Oliver as part of Lily’s welcoming into the world, especially since he couldn’t be here physically with us,” she reflected. This photo serves as a bittersweet reminder of their journey through both joy and sorrow.
Oliver’s Journey
Oliver was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) Type 1 when he was just six months old, shortly after Thanksgiving. This rare condition affects approximately 1 in 10,000 babies, according to Cure SMA. The disease gradually diminishes physical strength by impacting motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, ultimately affecting essential functions like walking, eating, and breathing.
“The doctors told us to take him home and love him as much as possible, as the prognosis was terminal at that time,” Sarah explained. Those six months were filled with both precious memories and immense challenges. Oliver required extensive medical equipment, including a suction machine and a respiratory aid for nighttime.
“We quickly became more than just his parents; we were his medical caregivers,” Sarah recalled. Accepting the reality of their son’s terminal diagnosis was a heart-wrenching process.
Oliver passed away from Type 1 spinal muscular atrophy in July 2016, as documented on the Facebook page dedicated to his journey, “Oliver’s Courage.” Although they managed to enroll him in a clinical trial for a new SMA treatment that initially showed promise, he ultimately faced complications, including a collapsed lung.
“The grief associated with losing a child is beyond comprehension. I can’t fathom how we drove home from the hospital without him, but we did,” Sarah said. She noted that she and Tom each process their grief differently and that even two years later, she continues to discover new ways to cope. “Keeping a grief journal has helped me organize my thoughts and find clarity,” she added.
Support and Community
Their support system of friends, family, and their church community has been invaluable. In sharing Oliver’s story, Sarah expressed gratitude for the outpouring of compassion they’ve received, which has resonated with many others who have experienced similar losses. “The kindness from those who’ve listened to our story and shared their own has been a beautiful reminder of the goodness in this world,” she reflected.
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In summary, the story of Sarah and Tom Bennett beautifully encapsulates the intersection of loss and new life, highlighting how love and memory continue to shape their family’s journey.