“Expect the Unexpected,” we’re told… This update is unlike any I’ve written, but it does tie into events—personal and nonprofit related—with relevance to loss. In April this year I had a significant and completely unexpected accident, leaving me with a broken wrist and a life-changing neck fracture. I ended up in the hospital for five days, followed by a two-week stay in a physical therapy facility. For six months I was encumbered by a neck brace and was unable to ride, jog, garden or do any lifting or driving. This experience found me dependent on my family and close friends for everything!
How does this experience tie into the Garden of the Sleeping Angels? Since its onset in 2010, we have welcomed hundreds of new families to our peaceful garden haven—that’s more than 300 beautiful babies and children memorialized. I’ve listened to their stories of loss with understanding and empathy, offering support and encouraging them to come to the gardens to remember, reflect, grieve and begin healing. However, I now realize that I was lacking the personal awareness of one element: almost always the loss of their baby or child was either sudden or unexpected.
As families anticipated the birth of a healthy newborn, or looked forward to hosting their child’s birthday event, did they ever expect that within a time span of minutes or hours that they would experience the life changing loss of a baby (with too many born still or prematurely) or a child via a horrific accident? My situation was unlike that experienced by families in loss in that I’ve had a great, long and blessed life. I have nothing but gratitude for that. While different in magnitude, the unexpected nature of my injury gave me a glimpse into the world of unpredictable and unprepared for loss. Such journeys in life leave us entirely defenseless, feeling helpless in body, mind, or spirit.
How I ended up going from feeling so vulnerable and dependent to grateful and blessed ties into long-term relationships and many new ones… “Look for the Helpers” came to mind as I experienced the fullness of people’s kindness. Loved ones came forward to keep our GSA gardens thriving—both tangibly and behind the scenes. Then a crew from Heidi’s Growhaus showed up in the spring, attacking the new growth of weeds encroaching upon our gardens. Next followed a regiment of experts from the U of M Master Gardeners program. Our own GSA members also showed up for our Weedathons, in addition to numerous invaluable community and church members.
Every individual brought such sincere passion for our mission, adding an element of expertise that reflected itself in the lush appearance of each of our 16 gardens. The list of helpers is so lengthy, from an expert in roses, tree trimming and planting to those who don’t weed, but say, “Give me any job!” Through my unexpected injury, it became clear that my primary focus needed to remain only on what I could physically do: support families and walk with them in their grief.
With the events of this past year, how can I possibly thank you all enough for traveling this road beside me? It truly reminds me that we are all here to bear witness to each other’s lives—our losses and sorrow, as well as our blessings and gratitude. Together we support, we encourage, and we remember… And your babies are forever a part of this ever-widening circle! Let us reflect fondly on the past year of events and ministry within the Garden of the Sleeping Angels…
2025 GARDEN HIGHLIGHTS
Annual Gertens Fundraiser
We once again partnered with Gertens this spring for a successful annual plant fundraiser. People were able to select from such a lovely selection of plants and floral arrangements. After a brief hiatus, we also look forward to the GSA plant sale resuming on the first weekend of June in 2026!
Spring and Summer Community Weedathons
GSA members of all ages joined together this spring and summer to help with weeding, preparing for mulching, and keeping the gardens beautiful for family visits. What a blessing it is to see children and adults working side by side for such an important purpose!
October Wave of Light
Our community gathered this fall for the Wave of Light ceremony—mirroring the worldwide event for infant and pregnancy loss recognition. We lit candles and shared the names of over 300 babies memorialized in our gardens. This year, we provided a handout containing tips for supporting those experiencing loss. Check out our Facebook page and website for the recording of this gathering and recitation of names! Thank you to our videographer from Cinematic Empyre for such a moving compilation.
Give to the Max Day and GivingTuesday 2025
We are endlessly grateful to those who contributed to this year’s Give to the Max Day and GivingTuesday! Your donations during this fundraiser, and beyond, have helped us with crucial garden upkeep and organizational expenses. Your generosity truly makes a difference to GSA and the families we serve.
Tours and Heavenly Birthday Celebrations
Throughout the year, GSA hosts garden tours of various sizes. We have also had the privilege of welcoming numerous families as they celebrate their little ones’ heavenly birthdays and celebrations of life. Our community treasures the opportunity to provide a healing space for these meaningful gatherings.
Garden of the Sleeping Angels would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank you!” to all the wonderful volunteers, donors, and families who remain involved in our mission. None of these impactful services would be possible without each one of you. Your support has been paramount to continuing this heartfelt community of remembrance.
2026 ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS AND VISION
- Additional garden upkeep volunteers with a heart for serving families experiencing infant and child loss
- Connections to passionate gardeners or organizations for hire for regular maintenance and operations
- Families wanting to add their angels to the garden or share their story with our organization
We look forward to walking with you in the coming year among the peaceful trees and flowers… Until then, keep sharing your stories about your sweet little ones—and we will continue to listen and celebrate their lives! Together we welcome the new year in 2026 and look forward to the healing, hope, and connection we will share.
With blessings and gratitude,
Nancy and Tom Sawyer, and the entire GSA Leadership Team
3405 County Road 6, Orono, MN 55356
DONATIONS TO THE GARDEN OF THE SLEEPING ANGELS MAY BE SENT TO THE ADDRESS ABOVE, THROUGH PAYPAL, OR THROUGH OUR WEB PAGE (EIN NUMBER: 46-4730312).
Email: www.gardenofthesleepingangels.com
Phone: 612-986-3737
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