LAYTON—The family of an 8-year-old girl killed in 2022 during a 4th of July parade in Kaysville is finding a way to move through the grief by helping other parents who have lost their little ones. Berry Loved Puzzles is in memory of Macie Anne Hill, who was performing with the Patriot Cheer team in the parade when she was hit by a Hummer vehicle that was with the group. 

“In the depths of unimaginable grief following the tragic loss of my sweet 8-year-old daughter, Macie, I stumbled upon the therapeutic power of puzzles,” said her mother Melanie. “During that first year when grief threatened to consume me whole, I sought solace in puzzles that evoked cherished memories of Macie.”

Melanie said as she pieced together each puzzle she felt a profound connection to Macie through the images. “It was as if she were guiding my hand, sharing her love and light with me.”

 Macie’s nickname Maeberry, later shortened to Berry, became the inspiration behind the name of Berry Loved Puzzles, she said. “These are more thanjust puzzles, they are a labor of love and heartfelt tribute to Macie’s vibrant spirit. Each image reflects her loves and passions in life.”

Driven by a profound desire to extend this lifeline to other families grappling with the devastation of loss, the mission for Berry Loved Puzzles was born, said Melanie. “Each collection is meticulously crafted to encompass the essence and passions of a lost little one.”

One such puzzle, “Mabel Rae Shines On,” honors Mabel Rae. “ She was given the middle name Rae because she, like her mama and siblings, was born with red hair, like a drop of golden sun,” her mother said. “Mabel Rae lived up to her sunshine name every single day of her six and half years here on earth. Mabel lit up every single room she entered with her radiant smile, silly antics and with her kind and generous spirit. ‘Mabel Rae Shines On’ means that even though Mabel is no longer with us earth-side, we strive to keep her generous, kind and silly energy alive. We encourage people to do this by searching for God's beauty in the day-to-day.”

“Love Like Grace” is in memory of another little girl lost too soon. “Grace was such a light in this world,” said her parents. “The ultimate peacemaker, she could calm any storm and settle the trickiest situation. Our family motto each year was – ‘Be a friend to those who have none,’ this resonated so deeply with Grace. We've been touched by an outpouring of messages, each one is a testament to the lifelong impressions she left on others. We pray that her loving spirit, the very essence of who she was, will be her legacy, inspiring us all to continue living with the same open hearts and loving like Grace.”

A special speed puzzling competition was held recently at Layton Hills Mall. “There were about 500 people that came out,” said Helen Langan, Langan Communications. “There were 120 participants that competed. Teams of three to four people raced to complete a 500 piece puzzle. Some took up to one and a half hours and some teams got it done in as little as 28 minutes.”

Winners received prize baskets, she said. “There was a live DJ and tables with memories of children who had passed away who will live on through Berry Loved Puzzles. I’m grateful for the organization. It was such a meaningful event.”

“We hope to provide a sense of connection for grieving families during the most challenging of times,” said Melanie. “May these puzzles be a reminder that love transcends loss and that our loved ones continue to guide us even in their absence.”

A portion of the proceeds from each puzzle will be used for creating and donating special collections for grieving families. Visit https://www.berrylovedpuzzles.com/ for more information.