Our family is asking for support for Erika as she faces a journey no mother should ever have to endure.

Erika was pregnant with twins, a baby girl, Athena Rain, and a baby boy, Atley Ronald. Tragically, a few weeks before delivery, we learned that sweet Athena had passed away in utero. While grieving the unimaginable loss of her daughter, Erika continued carrying both of her babies until she delivered them at just 24 weeks gestation.

Baby Atley is here, and he is already showing us just how strong he is. He is doing well considering how early he arrived, but at only 24 weeks, he has a very long road ahead of him in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. There will be many ups and downs, long days and nights at the hospital, and a great deal of uncertainty as he continues to grow and progress.

At the same time, Erika and our family are trying to grieve the loss of Athena, organize arrangements for her to be laid peacefully, while also being present for Atley. Navigating everything that comes with having an extremely premature baby in the NICU is enough for one mom, one family and it is unimaginable to do while grieving such an unfair loss and with all other responsibilities and realities of real life. As much as we wish the world stopped as ours has, it doesn’t and the demands of everyday are left to be shouldered among it all. It is more than any family should have to carry at once. Erika has put every single thing in life on hold to be there around the clock with her baby. To offer the presence, peace, nutrition and strength only a mother can give their child.

We are creating this GoFundMe to help ease some of the financial burden during the weeks and months ahead. Erika was hopeful she had just a bit more time to save and prepare but Mr. Atley was eager to be here. She is not yet medically cleared to work after the emergency cesarean section and she will be returning to work very minimally, as to stay with lil bug, when the time is right. All donations will help with expenses related to Atley’s extended NICU stay, travel, meals, and other unexpected costs so that Erika and her family can focus their energy where it belongs—on healing, grieving Athena, and being by Atley’s side.

Erika has always been a go getter. Always on a path of her own. She’s supported herself through moves to big cities, multiple colleges, job changes and all kinds of life’s curve balls. If you know her, you know the exact tenacity, work ethic and intelligence I’m talking about. She’s never been one to ask for help and I know she wouldn’t do it on her own and not even now if not for this perfect boy. If you are called and able to donate, no amount is too small. I know Erika, and all of us, are incredibly, humbly grateful. If you are unable to give financially, a prayer, a share, a sweet message, a card, healing energy- any positivity you can offer for Atley’s continued strength and growth is well received and appreciated! And for Erika and her family too, prayers, guidance and comfort mean so much as they mourn her sweet baby girl.

Please consider sharing their story so that we can surround this family with as much love and support as possible.

Athena Rain will forever be loved, remembered, and deeply missed. We will continue cheering on tough Mr. Atley every step of the way as he grows stronger.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for every donation, prayer, share, and kind thought during this incredibly difficult time.