Luna Valentina’s 2nd Heavenly Birthday – Help Us Complete Her Tombstone

Today, July 12th, my daughter Luna Valentina would have turned two years old.

At exactly 7:55 PM, Luna was born — tiny, beautiful, and full of strength. From the very beginning, she was a fighter. Doctors told me she wouldn’t survive her birth, but Luna defied every expectation. For almost two years, she battled through hospital stays, surgeries, and setbacks with a bravery that left everyone who met her in awe. Despite the tubes and procedures, she still smiled, still held my hand, still let the world know she was here. She made me a mother in the deepest, most sacred way. I do not regret a single moment of our journey — I would choose her a thousand times over.

Luna absolutely loved *Moana*. It was more than just a movie to her — it was her comfort, her joy, her spark during hospital days that often felt endless. The music lit up her eyes, especially *How Far I’ll Go*. She couldn’t speak many words, but her face said everything when those songs came on. That was her happy place. That’s why it’s so important for me to honor her with a Moana-themed tombstone — not just something beautiful, but something that *feels like her*. A reminder of her spirit, her bravery, and how far she truly went in her short time here.

As we try to honor Luna’s memory, we’re still working on completing her tombstone — the place where her name will be written forever. I never imagined how painful and expensive this part would be. You’re never truly prepared for these things… not emotionally, not financially. Just recently, we found out how costly a tombstone can be, and it’s been overwhelming. My husband is still our only source of income while I continue nursing school, holding onto my dream of one day caring for other children like Luna.

Many of you have asked about sending flowers for Luna’s birthday, and while I am deeply touched by the thought, I kindly ask — instead of flowers, please consider donating toward her stone. Every contribution brings us closer to giving Luna the resting place she deserves — something permanent, something magical, something that tells her story the way *Moana* once told it for her.

Please also keep me in your prayers as I continue nursing school. It’s not easy balancing grief, motherhood, and studies, but Luna is my greatest motivation. She taught me what it means to fight, to care deeply, and to love without limits. One day, I hope to care for children and families with the same compassion we so desperately needed during our hardest days.

Thank you for remembering Luna with us today. Thank you for helping us write her name in stone — not as an end, but as a lasting symbol of her life, her light, and her legacy.

With love,

Noelia Cruz

Forever Luna’s mommy