"Emma Grace Patricia Sweet, 2, of Columbus, passed away from this life on Sunday, November 28th, 2021, at 10:58 a.m." reads an obituary in The Republic.

I can feel my chest tighten as I read on.

"Emma was born on August 29, 2019, in Columbus, the daughter of Jeremy W. and Linsey M. O'Neal Sweet."

Emma loved her brothers and was known to rule the roost with them, however they would do anything for her.

She always loved being barefoot or wearing her Crocs, dancing, the Baby Shark song, eating fruit especially the strawberries, bananas and blueberries, and wearing her hair in pigtails.

Emma loved her momma so very much and would get so very excited when she pulled up to pick her up at daycare."

As a mother myself it’s here that the tears start to pool in the corners of my eyes. These are the moments that no parent should ever have to suffer, yet this is the reality for so many, including the Sweet family.

“My brother and I co-founded the Emma Grace Foundation in 2022 in memory of our sweet Emma,” says Linsey Sweet, Emma’s mother. “Emma touched the lives of so many in just two years here on earth. We wanted a way to help children and families thrive. We wanted to give each child and family an opportunity to grow, be part of events, and find joy no matter their struggle.”

On November 25, 2021, two-year-old Emma Sweet was reported missing by her mother. After two and a half days of intense searching near where she was last seen with her father, little Emma’s lifeless body was found in the freezing waters of White River, just south of the Southern Crossing bridge. According to the coroner’s report, an autopsy indicated she died of complications from both hypothermia and asphyxiation.

“I was in absolute disbelief,” says Linsey, choking back tears. “I was angry and sad and felt so helpless. My beautiful baby was gone, and there was nothing I could do to bring her back.” 

Though the pain and grief will always linger, Linsey is using the devastating loss of her daughter to share hope and love to other families in the community.

“Another one of my favorite ways we’ve been able to give back through Emma’s foundation has been with the donation of wagons to NexusPark for pediatric patients to use,” Linsey says. “Emma’s story has had a huge impact on the community, and I wanted to make sure children, families, and members of the community, as well as first responders benefited from what we do.” 

“CRH (Columbus Regional Hospital) will always have a special place in my heart,” Linsey continues. “Emma was a CRH kid from birth, and I’ve been a CRH employee for seven years. It means the world to have the relationship and support we do with CRH, and to be able to meet the needs of the Peds, the ED, the Birthing Center, OB, and others. There is no way we can thank CRH enough for everything they do.”

Emma’s three older brothers are also involved in keeping her memory alive. Brayton, 22, Elijah, 14, and Bentley, 13, spend time helping with the Emma Grace Foundation. “The boys like to help pick the things to go in the birthday bags, and they really enjoy the butterfly release at Emma’s birthday,” says Linsey. 

The brothers also keep busy in sports. “Eli plays baseball, and has since he was about four in T-ball. Bently is big into basketball. He played for about four years at FFY, PAAL, Rockcreek and Revolution. I love going to watch them play and am their biggest cheerleader!” Linsey says. 

Linsey and her boys live on the east side of town with their seven-year-old pitbull, and princess of the house, Persia. 

The home they occupy today is right on the edge of the family farm. “I was born and raised out here and live right out the backyard and across the field from where I grew up,” says Linsey. “I love the peace and quiet and the sounds of cows, donkeys, and goats from around the area. All the neighbors know each other and we all wave to each other as we drive by.”

Whether at home or traveling, Linsey makes a point of it to live each day intentionally, and to create memories for her family. “We love Disney World and the beach,” she says. “One thing I am grateful for is that Emma got the opportunity to visit Disney and several other places in her little life.”

“So what message would you want to send out to your neighbors and others in the community?” I ask Linsey.

Without hesitation, she says,

“Snap the picture, record the video, take the trip. We only live once and it goes by so fast.”