In July, Valarie Watts tragically delivered her stillborn son, Noah. While grieving, she decided to sell most of the items she’d prepared for his arrival, except for a white crib. Retiree Gerald Kumpula, a skilled craftsman, asked to buy it, and despite her hesitation, Watts sold it to him for $2. A week later, Gerald and his wife Lorene delivered a bench made from the crib, understanding how meaningful it would be for Watts. The heartfelt gift allowed Watts to create a memorial for Noah, bringing her comfort and joy. Gerald refused payment, saying, “It’s nice to help people.”
Watts has a 7-year-old daughter, Nevaeh, and will be marrying Hamblin this fall. She stated that the bench – which sits near a corner bookcase that holds Noah’s photos, his handprints, footprints, and ashes – is helping her cope with grief.
“In a way, when I’m sitting in it, I feel comforted by his presence, even though he’s not here,” Watts, a babysitter, said. “It’s like a peaceful, it’s-OK type feeling. When I feel down, I can sit on the bench and I feel OK, everything’s going to be OK.”
