Updated the Page

Sorry, I didn't realize that people couldn't comment until someone brought it to my attention.  It should be fixed now!

My New Tattoo

International BLM Day is May 1st.

Pass it along and have a gentle Mother's Day.

Easter Eggs :)

Noel's Memory Box

  I'm going to put my positive test in it, some little crocheted items, and maybe some notes.  I ruined my husband's Mother's Day gift by getting this put together haha.  He was going to buy my memory box for me as a present then take me to get my tattoo for my angel babies.  Which was exactly what I told him I wanted to do, so I ruined that surprise, as well...  I asked him to get me a candle to put with my memory box, but he still wants to do something "on his own."  I have the greatest hubby in the world :)

My tattoo will be of three paper cranes with halos or just one crane with my angel babies initials :)

First Photo

I got to see the first photo of one of my cranes being used for a balloon release :)  It was used for Ava Carolyn, her memorial service was today.

A New Crane Idea

This one is one of two cranes going out tomorrow, in memory of "Peanut."  It is folded to fit into a frame.

New Patterns/Sizes

Next to a regular crane...

Lots of pretty colors :)

Four Cranes Going Out Tomorrow

Two purple cranes in memory of Ava Carolyn- For Erin

Cranes in memory of Valentina & "Little Bee"- Requested by Erin for Annette

    Going to post another update soon with some new crane options for colors with prints.  They will be slightly smaller than these, but bigger than the minis.

I chose to...

    ...hang these up in my house.  What do you think?  I had some extras laying around and decided to string them together with red thread.  Red represents luck, I believe.  Which is what I need a lot of right now.  I may be sending out two more cranes soon, we'll see.  It's always a very bittersweet thing to do.  I'm happy that I can be of some help to someone through my own suffering.  However, it's just horrible to know what they are going through and understanding what they're feeling.

    Still working on my goal of 1,000 cranes.  I wouldn't want to send out that many, though...  Definitely not :(  My heart goes out to each and every woman who has contacted me.  I think I've sent out around seven, so far.

Sending Out More Cranes

Sent out three mini-cranes a few days ago and getting ready to send out 2 more over the weekend.

New Designs

Mini-sized cranes!!

Representing my angel babies...

I put them on a necklace.

Size comparison to a pen cap.

Two Months

It's been two months since I lost my little Noel...

"These are my footprints, 
so perfect and so small. 
These tiny footprints 
never touched the ground at all. 
Not one tiny footprint, 
for now I have wings. 
These tiny footprints were meant 
for other things. 
You will hear my tiny footprints, 
in the patter of the rain. 
Gentle drops like angel's tears, 
of joy and not from pain. 
You will see my tiny footprints, 
in each butterflies' lazy dance. 
I'll let you know I'm with you, 
if you just give me the chance. 
You will see my tiny footprints, 
in the rustle of the leaves. 
I will whisper names into the wind, 
and call each one that grieves. 
Most of all, these tiny footprints, 
are found on Mommy and Daddy's hearts. 
'Cause even though I'm gone now, 
We'll never truly part." 
~Unknown

Another Crane to Send Out :)

I just got word from someone who wanted a crane, today.  She is one of my DS sisters and has been very supportive in my time of suffering.  She is also one of the ladies who inspired me to do something like this, to reach out to others in similar situations (even though she probably doesn't know it.)  I'm really happy that she contacted me about wanting a crane.

She is going to use it to release on her EDD.

Sent Out A Dragon

Sent a baby-blue dragon out today...
Looked much better than this one, here.

The First One

Tomorrow the first paper crane will be sent.  It makes me happy that I'm able to bring some small comfort to others who feel the pain of a lost child...  It really is the most horrible feeling in the world.  Which makes it even more sad that there are mothers actually suffering in silence.  That's why I've become passionate about this cause...  No one should have to suffer in silence...  No one should have to try and censor their sadness for the comfort of those around them who should be their support...

Why Paper Cranes?

The myth goes, if you fold 1,000 paper cranes, your wish will come true.  I'm hoping to fold 1,000 paper cranes...  My husband asked me what I would do with that many paper cranes, so I decided to turn it into a charity.

Also, I read that origami used to be used to send secret messages.  The intricate folds were difficult to replace perfectly, so it was obvious if they had been tampered with.  So, I started folding each one with a message in my mind to my little Noel.  I did actually write in some.  This could be a good idea for another personalization option.

About Me & My Angel Babies

My name is Melissa.  I'm 23 years old and I live in Ewa Beach, Hawaii.  I grew up in Virginia and was home schooled since the 8th grade.  I moved to Hawaii in October of 2010 with my then-fiance (now-husband) when he got transferred.  During the first month or so, I got my first motorcycle.

This is Freya

  My husband already had his Harley that he'd bought in Virginia, so he wanted me to learn how to ride.  I didn't want a cruiser, though, so Freya is what we came up with.

  In December, we went back home to Virginia to get married around friends and family.  It was a beautiful ceremony and an awesome reception.  It couldn't have been any more perfect if we tried.

  Our wedding was on the 21st, so Christmas and my birthday (the 27th) were soon after.  Along with 11" of SNOW!

I got him a RC Helicopter :D

He got me a Darth Vader teddy bear <3

   It was on Christmas morning that I started "pouting" as he would say...  My husband, Mike, asked me what was wrong.  I told him, "I didn't get what I wanted for Christmas."  He laughed and said, "Silly girl!  How do you know?  You haven't even opened any gifts yet!"  I told him later that I wanted a BFP (Big Fat Positive.)

  A few weeks later, I did get one.  We were so happy and excited.  The timing was so perfect, we figured we'd conceived on or around our wedding day.  Only a few days later, we learned that we were going to lose the baby.

  That was my third miscarriage.  Up until then I was fine with suffering in silence.  I decided to join a support group when it became unbearable.  No one would acknowledge my loss besides maybe some apology that was more fitted to follow an insult.  When I started talking to more and more women in the support group, I realized that this was not some rare occurrence.  Almost everyone felt as if they were suffering through the loss of a baby alone.

  So, that is why I created Tiny Wings.  One day, in an effort to keep myself distracted from the pain, I decided I would make 1,000 paper cranes.  The myth is that if you fold 1,000 paper cranes, your wish will come true.  My husband asked, "What are we going to do with 1,000 paper cranes?"  This is my answer.

Tiny Wings Launch :)

I started this as a way to reach out to women who are suffering through the loss of a pregnancy or infant. I have had 3 miscarriages myself and found, through an online support group, that many women in the same situation suffer in silence. It may feel as if no one cares. So, this is my way of reaching out to other women, to let them know that someone does care about their pain.

What is it that I do? I send you a card with a paper crane to use however you see fit. Whether it's using it to burn for ashes (since most people who have experienced a lost pregnancy don't have remains for a ceremony or to put in a pendant.) Or to attach to a balloon release. Whatever you wish to do.

To receive your card & paper crane:
Comment on any post and I'll get back to you on sending you your crane. You can choose colors or even a different shape other than a paper crane, if you wish.  Include any other special requests.  (Ie: Names on the wings, color, etc.)

Ideas for what to do with your paper crane:
-Attach to balloon for release
-Burn and use ashes in place of remains (to use in a ceremony or in a pendant)
-Keepsake
(I'll add more as more ideas come in.)

After you receive your paper crane:
-Pull apart the wings gently to open your crane up
-They may need a little gentle wiggle to get it just right

Please, feel free to send me pictures. I would love to post them on my site to show what you've done with them! Also, if you would like a memorial album dedicated to your angel baby/babies on the facebook page, send me the pictures you would like to have included.