Willow Tree Guardian, Sculpted Hand-Painted Figure

I first saw this figurine in a Hallmark store. I was so touched I could barely put it down. I immediately got online and found it(for a much better price)on Amazon. Forty-four years ago tomorrow I delivered my son prematurely. He weighed 2#10oz and lived for only five hours. The only time I saw him was in the delivery room, and he was blue. Back in those days the mothers were not allowed to hold...or even see their babies when they died. In fact, I shared a room with a mother and her healthy baby. The day after my son died someone came in the room to ask me if I wanted him circumcised...not realizing he had died. I had no good memories. I was in the hospital a week because I lost a tremendous amount of blood and needed transfusions. My husband was in Vietnam. My mom and dad had him buried without discussing it with me. I know they were trying to help but I don't even know if he was wrapped in a nice blanket or had a casket when he was buried. That haunts me to this day. I am a retired RN and spent many years working in Newborn Intensive Care. I usually was assigned to the sickest babies in the unit. I made sure every parent that wanted to was able to hold their deceased baby for as long as they needed to. I always had the baby cleaned up and dressed and wrapped in a nice blanket. Many parents had never seen their baby without tubes and wires. I would take pictures of parents with their babies. I did everything I could to assist them to have some closure. When a baby was dying and the parents weren't there, by choice or circumstance,I would pick the baby up and hug and rock him through his last minutes. I didn't want a baby to die alone as I'm sure mine did. I'm 67 and it is as fresh in my mind as it was back then. I have 3 grown children but nothing can "fix" that loss. For me this figurine is what I have needed for a long time. Yes, I still cry...and wonder....but now I have something tangible to see and hear and help me remember in a gentle way. It is beautiful. Once you have carried a baby in your womb...whether for a week or months...that baby is forever a part of you.

I got this for my sister-in-law who, at the time, was about 8 months pregnant with her baby boy. It came in perfect, no issues, and right on time. It is as beautiful as pictured and it made her very happy! I always will recommend Willow Tree (just not any knock-off versions) for sentimental gifts because they make a great impression and are high quality. Definitely worth the price! :)

Absolutely lovely. My daughter and students have gifted me with Willow Tree over the years, and I thought they were wonderful expressions of love. This Mother's Day was my daughter's very first as a new mommy, and I wanted to give her something to commemorate it. Now this little figurine sits in pride of place on her mantel. It is terrific quality and makes a lovely gift or addition to your home.

We just lost a baby at 18 weeks, and I purchased the "guardian" statue as a piece to put on her memory wall/shelf we are creating. I have very few mementos of her very short life, and this one is the perfect addition. The artist so amazingly captures the essence of not only guarding/caring for your baby but almost a sense of loss here when you look at this piece. I look at it and see a mother so deeply in grief and yet so tightly holding to her baby's memory. I'm not sure if the artist meant for this piece to symbolize infant loss (maybe just symbolize how much a mother loves a living baby?) but I see the pure love that I have for my baby in heaven when I look at this piece. It will be the perfect addition to her memorial.

As described

Got this for my daughter for her first mother's day. She absolutely loved it. So did her hubby.

I bought this product for someone that I connected with. She lost her baby in a way that I would not wish on anyone including my worst enemy. I liked that it can be interrupted in many ways. I felt that as a mother it must super difficult to lose a baby. This was a way to let her know that I was terribly sorry for her loss since I am not good with words. She was in awe when she saw what it was. She stated that she was a fan of Willow Tree and loves their products. She later sent me a picture of the memorial in her home that she has dedicated for her child. I give it 5+ stars. Worth the money that is for sure because it gives a priceless meaning. (Note: no picture was uploaded due to respect to her and family)

Willow Tree is known for quality but more importantly, many of the figures reflect life. Our son passed away several years ago. When I saw this it took me back to the many times that I have seen my wife hold and rock our children. I am thankful for those memories.