MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Erica Morales’ story is getting world-wide attention. She gave birth to quadruplets in Pheonix, Arizona Thursday, but she died before she got to meet her babies.
Morales was raised in Memphis. Sunday her family in Whitehaven held a candlelight vigil to honor her memory.
“I love you E. I miss you. You will never be forgotten.”
That’s LaTonya Rogers. Erica Morales’ cousin and best friend. She and the rest of the family, are struggling with the harsh reality that Erica is no longer with them. She died Friday, hours after giving birth to quadruplets. A medical emergency forced the babies to come two months early.
Rogers said she was getting text updates from her husband Carlos saying she was in the ICU, then, “Next thing I know I get a call the next morning, she was gone.”
Rogers last saw Morales this summer, at their family reunion in Memphis. She said when Erica was in town they were inseparable.
“It was just us bonding. Our quality time together. Me and her. And we looked forward to that every year.”
This summer she won’t be here, But her four babies will. Baby Erica, Paisley Tracey and Carlos Jr. They never met their mother, but now they are her living legacy.
” I lost my best friend,” Rogers started to cry, “But we`ve got the babies now, so I get to see her through them.”
Rogers says Morales tried for years to have a baby. She comes from a huge family with lots of kids and couldn’t wait to have her own. Now her husband Carlos is taking on the job, alone.
“She stated to me, you have a child I don`t. I want to know that feeling.”
Now the feeling of loss and memories of their loved one are all this family has.
With their candles raised in the air they yelled, “We love you Erica!”
They are holding on to each other for strength while they cope with this loss. If you want to donate money to help the family, click here.