A Helping Hand for Those Suffering the Loss of a Child

The Martyred Angles Foundation

I have had the pleasure of speaking on the phone with Mr. Vogels. And as we have learned to do, we had curated and perfected the way we spoke about our stories. When we spoke the first time, we discovered many similar paths our lives had as well as connections through space and time. We spoke very little of our loved ones who had passed, and I feel like we both kind of understood that.

Mr. Vogels and his family have endured far longer than we have and although I do not know them personally, I do think often that if they are able to endure, then there is hope for us. We have a long way to go, but I know we will all continue on in the best ways we know how.

While based in Colorado, they have an amazing community of support and they have specific ways to donate to help grieving families who seek them out.

Thanx for reading

XO-B

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The Impact:

Grief often arrives like a tidal wave—fast, overwhelming, and life-altering. For those walking through the aftermath of losing a child, finding stable ground again can feel impossible. But every now and then, a light finds its way into the darkness. For many families, that light comes in the form of the Martyred Angels Foundation.

Based in the tranquil hills of Boulder, Colorado, the Martyred Angels Foundation is more than just a nonprofit—it's a movement of love, remembrance, and community. Founded by John Wayne Vogels after the heartbreaking loss of his son, Bladyn, Martyred Angels exists to provide healing and hope to families who have experienced the unimaginable. Their mission isn't just about surviving loss; it's about rediscovering purpose through it.

What makes Martyred Angels truly unique is their blend of holistic support and grounded connection. Their programs are wrapped in compassion, offering equine-facilitated therapy, family grief camps, and support groups. For families who need help with burial costs, cemetery plots, or emergency support, Martyred Angels steps in quietly but powerfully. This is grief work in action—meeting people where they are, and walking alongside them in some of their darkest moments.

The foundation’s 300-acre retreat property is nestled in nature, complete with trails, cabins, and campfires. It serves as a peaceful, sacred space for families to reconnect with themselves, with one another, and with the enduring love of the child they’ve lost. Through shared stories, stillness, and therapeutic interactions with animals and nature, these retreats offer something immeasurable: the beginning of healing.

Martyred Angels teaches us that we carry those we’ve lost not just in memory, but in how we live, love, and help others. Their work reflects the very heart of what it means to endure grief and still choose hope.

If you or someone you know is navigating the shadows of child loss, the Martyred Angels Foundation offers real, tangible hope. And if you’re looking for a way to give back—to stand beside grieving families and lift them toward healing—your donation can directly support their therapeutic programs, grief camps, and emergency relief efforts.

You can donate to the Martyred Angels Foundation by visiting www.martyredangelsfoundation.org or connect with them on social media to follow their ongoing impact.

Together, we honor our loved ones by living with intention, helping others carry the weight, and lighting the path for those who come behind us.

For more stories of resilience, grief, and healing, follow along with My Second Half Self as we continue to explore life after loss, love after heartbreak, and strength after shattering.