Memorial devoted to all who’ve lost a child
In 2008, Noblesville’s Kristen Forbes, 23, died after a yearlong battle with cervical cancer. One of Forbes’ coworkers and friends, Megan Hall, was killed in an automobile accident the next month. Both the Forbes and Hall family have spent the last five years overcoming their grief and dealing with the void left in their lives.
“To help all parents in our community who have lost children, we are building the Angel of Hope Memorial Garden in (Noblesville’s) Forest Park,” Kristen’s father, Kirk, said. “Our vision is a quiet and healing place where parents and families can remember their children. A memorial to children who once played here. Though they are absent from our lives and our community, they will be remembered for many years to come.”
There are 118 Angel of Hope memorials in the United States and Indiana has six with the closest one in Hendricks County.
“It is our hope as bereaved parents and members of the community that the Angel of Hope Memorial Garden fulfills an important need in the Noblesville community – now and in the future,” Forbes said. “It will be a beacon for all regardless of religious background who are trying to cope with the emotional and physical absence of their child.”
Forbes, who heads the committee to build the memorial, said its fundraising goal is $125,000.
“This will provide the angel statue, polished granite base, engraved bricks, path to the memorial, signage and plaques, landscaping and night lighting,” he said, adding that construction is based on fundraising. “October is the minimum time. If it takes a lot longer, it won’t be until next year.”
While fundraising is still in the early stages, $10,000 has already been pledged. Forbes said the committee is searching for a major corporate donor but is selling Bricks of Remembrance for $100.
“Their name is enshrined forever and that’s huge for me. Kristen left us five years ago and to have her name written forever, not on a tombstone, but on a memorial is just priceless,” Forbes said. “Every brick has a story.”
The background
The Angel of Hope statue was introduced in the book and movie, “The Christmas Box,” written by bestselling author Richard Paul Evans. In the story, a mother mourns the loss of her only child at the foot of an angel monument. Upon learning that grieving parents were looking for the angel as a place to grieve and heal, Evans commissioned Ortho and Jared Fairbanks of Salt Lake City to create one. The angel is bronze with the face of a child, arms raised out as a child wanting to be lifted. In her wings is the word HOPE. The angel represents all children who have passed away. The first Angel of Hope was dedicated Dec. 6, 1994, in Salt Lake City.
One brick purchased belongs to Jim and Brandi Bates who lost their son, Zander, from an umbilical cord complication during his birth on Aug. 20, 2010.
“I go to the one (Angel of Hope) in Avon to break down sometimes. It’s a neat thing the city has allowed to come to the area. It will be very beneficial for the people of Noblesville and Indianapolis,” Brandi said.
Brandi said infant and child death has been a taboo topic in the past and thinks the memorial will provide support for parents and family members. It will be located in the south end of Forest Park.
“It’s a wonderful place to provide solace and remembrance for parents who lost children,” Brandi said. “It’s a peaceful area for it – kinda secluded and semi shaded.”
“This is a next level project,” Jim said. “It’s a place where anyone who needs some reflection time can go.”
Sue and Bill Childs lost their 23-year-old son, David, in a motor vehicle accident in 1999. David was on his way to work when his vehicle was struck.
“The hurt is still the same,” Bill said
David was the younger of the Childs’ two boys. Bill described him as an athlete in football and wrestling who really looked up to his older brother. David graduated from Westfield High School in 1994.
“He was a good guy who loved children,” Bill said. “He was just starting to find his niche in landscaping. It was sad when it happened because he didn’t get a chance to get married or have children.”
The Childs said the Forest Park location provides a happy place to come.
“We used to bring him here when he was little,” Bill said.
“It’s a good idea because you don’t have to go to the cemetery and think depressing thoughts,” Sue said. “We’re going to come here with our grandchildren and share stories of David… It gives you a way to talk to them and let them know what happened.”
Know more
The memorial will center around the Angel of Hope statue which will stand about 7-feet tall. It will be an octagon shape measuring 48-feet across with bricks engraved with children’s names and messages from families and friends radiating out from the angel. Three large flower pots will hold planted flowers to celebrate the children’s lives. Surrounding the brick memorial will be bushes and trees. The entire memorial will be illuminated by a lighting system. A 60-foot path will lead from the main park walking path to the memorial. For more information, call 695-3551 or visit www.angelofhope.info or the Angel of Hope Memorial-Noblesville Indiana facebook page.
