Angel of Hope STATUE IS A PLACE OF HOPE FOR GRIEVING PARENTS

By Andrea Busche

It’s difficult to imagine a grief more profound than that of a parent who has lost a child. Members of this most unfortunate “club” often feel completely lost and alone.

The Angel of Hope statue is a nationwide effort to provide a quiet, healing place where parents and other loved ones can gather to remember the children they’ve lost — from miscarriages in early pregnancy to adult children. The statue is a bronze rendering of an angel, modeled after the Richard Evans novel, “The Christmas Box,” where a mother grieves for her daughter at the base of an angel statue.

The first statue was constructed in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1994. Today, there are over 150 angels across the United States, with one right here in Duluth.

The Angel of Hope Memorial in Leif Erickson Park is roughly 4 feet tall and made of bronze. She is perched on a large stone that was donated. Benches and engraved bricks surround the statue. Visitors are welcome to sit, gather, reflect and pray at the memorial.

grief and organized a community fundraising campaign to raise the $15,000 needed to construct an Angel of Hope statue in Duluth.

The statue was erected in 2013 and was the 101st statue in a national series. The statue is located within Leif Erikson Park (1301 London Road).

“The statue is about 4 feet tall, and on the angel’s wings it says ‘hope,’” Davis said. “She sits on a large stone. There are benches around the statue, and bricks around her, too. People can have the name of their child engraved on the brick or another message of their choice. It’s a place where people can linger and connect with each other. They realize they aren’t alone, and aren’t the only one who has lost a child.”

Duluth statue

Dan Ansello and Kelly Hamilton’s daughter Gabriella died unexpectedly of sudden infant death syndrome at 6 weeks of age. And Debbie Davis lost her son, Luke Hylden, to an accidental drug overdose when he was a senior in high school.

These parents experienced unimaginable losses. Together, along with several other local families, they bonded in their

The city of Duluth has been a helpful partner in the initiative since Day One. The city helped select the best spot for the statue, and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department also handles engraving and installing the bricks.

Luke

Davis herself is a licensed professional clinical counselor with an extensive background in grief and loss. Losing her own son, Luke, however, was completely different.

“I was lost,” she said. “I saw parents in pain through my work, but I never really recognized it until I went through it myself.”

Davis enjoys talking about Luke, who died in 2009.

“Talking about Luke keeps him here with me,” she said. “He was very easygoing and an old soul. He’d give you his last dollar. He was very artistic, loved animals and had a great sense of humor. I miss him every day.”

In addition to finding a new purpose through helping erect the statue, Davis continues to honor her son by raising funds for places like Animal Allies and Amberwing. In fact, Amberwing’s pet therapy room is named after Luke and his beloved dog, Johnny Cash.

Davis has one other child — daughter Hannah — who is 27 years old and works as a registered nurse. The two speak fondly about Luke and bond over their shared memories.

Connecting with other grieving parents has been healing for Davis.

“It’s important to make sure you have a good support system surrounding you,” she said. “You need to be able to tell your story as many times as you need to, without judgment. You never get over it, but eventually you just learn to live with it.”

Candlelight vigil

Each year on Dec. 6 there is a candlelight vigil/memorial held at the site of the statue. Typically, about 50 people attend.

Participants are given a battery-operated candle, and a pastor is invited to provide a nondenominational prayer. There are meaningful readings and someone sings a song or two. Attendees are invited to speak their child’s name into a microphone.

Looking ahead, 2023 will be a significant milestone for the Duluth statue.

“We are hoping to do a Walk to Remember in 2023 for our 10th anniversary,” Davis said.

vigil.

“This includes parents who have had a miscarriage, all the way through losing an adult child,” she said. “For people who have had a miscarriage, or their child has been cremated, they may not have a place to go. Everybody is welcome here.”

Bricks

As noted, parents or loved ones can purchase an engraved brick and have it placed at the site of the Angel of Hope statue. Bricks are $85, and all arrangements can be made through the city of Duluth’s Parks and Recreation Department.

The purchase of a brick could be a meaningful holiday gift for a grieving parent. Financial donations are also accepted; money raised is used for families who can’t afford to purchase a brick.

Reach out Davis and the families behind the Angel of Hope statue want grieving parents to know there are others out there who can relate. Although there isn’t a formal support group in place, people are welcome to reach out and connect through the Angel of Hope Statue’s Facebook page.

“The statue brought together a group of people who probably felt pretty alone,” Davis said. “I welcome people asking about it and reaching out to us on Facebook.

“I would also recommend that grieving parents make sure and take care of themselves. Reach out to others to help you with your journey.” D