The loss of a child is an unimaginable grief, and for Valarie Watts, the pain of losing her son, Noah, who was stillborn in July, was overwhelming. Among the reminders of her preparation for his arrival was a crib she had purchased for him.
During a garage sale, Valarie initially decided not to sell the crib but changed her mind when Gerald Kumpula, a retired craftsman, expressed interest in buying it. Although hesitant, she sold it for $2 after hearing about Gerald’s talent for repurposing furniture into benches.
Touched by Valarie’s heartbreaking story, which his wife Lorene shared with him, Gerald decided to transform the crib into a unique gift. A week later, he delivered a beautiful bench to Valarie as a heartfelt gesture.
The bench now sits in her living room, serving as a comforting memorial to Noah. “I’m overwhelmed with joy that it’s not just sitting somewhere unused,” Valarie said. Gerald, who empathized with her loss due to a similar tragedy in his family, refused payment, saying, “It’s nice to help people.”
