The Kumpulas were particularly sensitive to Watts’ grief because their first grandchild had been stillborn.
Gerald said, “An abandoned crib is a somber reminder. A bench serves more as a monument. It represents that painful event, but it’s not an empty crib.”
Gerald declined Watts’ offer of payment, stating, “Helping others is just a pleasant experience. It’s good to assist people.”
Watts, who is marrying Hamblin this autumn, has a 7-year-old daughter named Nevaeh. She said that the bench, situated near a corner bookcase with pictures, footprints, handprints, and ashes of Noah, helps her cope with her loss.
Watts, a babysitter, shared, “Even though he’s not here, I feel comforted by his presence when I sit on the bench.
It has a calming, reassuring vibe. I can sit there and feel better when I’m down, knowing that everything will be alright in the end.”
