Valarie Hooper is a woman on a mission. Every year, she brings joy and love to many families who have lost a loved one. In the Bountiful City Children’s Cemetery, often referred to as “Baby Land,” Valarie and her family decorate the gravestones of resting children each holiday season.
Brandon and Jesse Menlove is a family who lost their son 8 years ago and got touched by the act of Valarie towards the children’s cemetery.
Jesse said, “The first time we saw the section lit up for the holidays, it brought so much joy to me in such a terrible, sad time. I wanted to know who did it, but I didn’t know how to find out.”
Hooper wanted to keep this tradition a secret from everybody, saying, “I’ve never told anybody,”
In the end, Jesse and Brandon heard from a friend that Valarie was decorating the children’s cemetery, so they started helping her with everything they could.
Valarie’s sister, Theresa Hill, recalled a heartwarming moment with a grieving mother in the children’s cemetery.
“‘So it’s you that does this?’ she asked. When I said yes, she told me, ‘My baby is over there, and I just want to tell you how much comfort it gives me that you care enough to come out and give love and light to my child.’”
Hooper ensures that the decoration is still on point by driving to the children’s cemetery every day and fixing anything out of place.
She said “The love that is given when you do have a child will go on forever, even if they are not in your arms,”
