Hattie Jo was the daughter of Matt and Macy Collins and the big sister of Lainey Mae. The members of the Collins family were all asleep when at 1:30 AM in the morning, Macy’s phone sounded with a tornado alarm. Matt turned on the television to hear a meteorologist urging people in their area to take cover. The foursome quickly took cover in the hallway as the tornado with winds up to 175 mph flattened their home.

Matt, Macy, and Lainey Mae all suffered injuries during the storm. Little Hattie Jo died on the scene. Only those who have lost a child can imagine the grief and sorrow that Matt, Macy, and their families have endured since that day.

In their grief journey, Matt and Macy have purposed to help other parents who have lost their children.

"When you lose a child, there are so many things that you are not able to do with them anymore," Matt told the Christian Chronicle. "And so we sought after something that we could do that would bear her mark."

As a result, the Collins began the Magnolia Foundation in memory and honor of Hattie Jo. The non-profit foundation was formed to help parents with funeral expenses, offer access to counseling, and remember deceased children at milestones such as birthdays and holidays.

"Serving families that have lost kids — for us, that bears the mark of Hattie," Matt said. "So every day and every time that we are working on that, we are representing her and her life. And by doing that, we are honoring her." *

Doing things that "bear the mark" of a loved one - what a beautiful and meaningful tribute! What a wonderful way to show your love for a loved one that has made an unforgettable "mark" in your life!

Consider that Jesus, the sinless Son of God, died on the cross for your sins and mine. The "marks" left on His resurrected body by the nails of the cross revealed His great love for us, for He paid the price for our redemption from sin so that we can live eternally with Him in heaven. "He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed," the Apostle Peter wrote to Christians (1 Peter 2:24).