If you are here, it means you have received one of our ladybugs. We hope it brings you comfort.

This ladybug was gifted with love, in memory of a very special little girl named Cecilia Sloane Pelton. We want you to know that you are not alone. You are cared for, thought of, and gently watched over by an angel.

Cecilia, or Cece as we lovingly call her, is our daughter, and she is the greatest joy of our lives. She spent 19 months bravely fighting after being born with severe brain damage caused by complications during pregnancy. Much of her life was spent at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she was cared for with kindness and compassion, and where she passed away peacefully on November 30, 2023.

Cecilia’s life was filled with love, warmth, and quiet strength, and it is that same love we hope to share with you through this ladybug.

WHY LADYBUGS

In Chinese culture, there is a long held belief that ladybugs are messengers from the spirit world. According to an old Chinese proverb, when a ladybug appears, it is said to carry the spirit of a loved one who has passed, returning to watch over, protect, and offer comfort to those still here.

The week after Cecilia passed away, the home where our family gathered was unexpectedly filled with ladybugs, dozens of them, appearing without explanation. In our grief, this moment felt impossible to ignore. It felt like a message. A reassurance. A reminder that love does not end when a life does.

From that point on, ladybugs became our symbol of Cecilia’s continued presence. Gentle signs that she is still near, still watching over us, still reminding us that we are not alone.

Now, whenever we see a ladybug, we believe it is Cecilia showing up in our lives, offering protection, comfort, and the quiet peace of knowing that angels never truly leave us.

THIS YEAR’S WARMIES DONATION

One of the ways we share Cecilia’s memory is through a larger annual donation. This year, that donation took the form of ladybug Warmies, given to children and families who may need comfort during difficult moments.

Cecilia had two Warmies that stayed with her every time she was in the hospital. They were always close by during scary moments, quiet moments, and times when she needed extra comfort. One of those Warmies is still held close in our family today.

If you received a ladybug Warmie, we hope it brings you a sense of safety and care. For children, it can be a soft friend to hold. For parents and loved ones, it can be a gentle reminder that comfort can exist even during hard times.

We hope this Warmie becomes something steady for you, a small reminder that you are protected, cared for, and never alone.

WITH LOVE

From our family to yours, thank you for welcoming Cecilia into your life.

May this little ladybug remind you that you are never alone, that you are deeply cared for, and that even in the hardest moments, angels walk beside us.

With love and remembrance,
Cecilia’s Mom & Dad