Alexa PenaVega of Spy Kids fame posted a touching tribute one year from the day her daughter was stillborn. “This was the most painful moment I have ever experienced,” wrote PenaVega alongside a devastating image of her holding her stillborn daughter. “I remember it feeling so hard to breathe. Such a deep aching pain… How was this real? It didn’t feel real. Every emotion flooded in at once.” Despite the heartbreaking loss, PenaVega said she and her husband, Carlos, felt “a supernatural peace.” “It was all out of our control,” she added. “We had to give it all over to God. The burden was too heavy for us to carry so He took the weight off of us and draped us in His peace.”

Despite their daughter’s death, PenaVega stated she had given hope to others. “Over this last year we have watched LIFE come out of her life. We watched people heal because of Indy. We watched grief lifted because of Indy. We watched relationships be restored… God gave her life SO MUCH FRUIT … so much meaning and purpose.” She took comfort in the fact that Indy “is celebrating with Jesus” while acknowledging their family’s own grief. She referenced Jeremiah 29:11, which states, “ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

PenaVega’s feed was flooded with support. “God is good. Continued Prayers for peace and understanding for you all,” wrote the Great American Family Network. “I’m so incredibly sorry,” wrote pro-life activist Abby Johnson. “Sending prayers.” Many others shared their own experiences of losing their children in similar situations and offered consolation or thanked PenaVega for her openness.

PenaVega and her husband announced the loss last year. “After a beautiful and peaceful delivery our daughter ‘Indy’ was born at rest. It has been a painful journey. But in the pain we have found peace. God continues to comfort and hold us in His arms,” wrote the couple. PenaVega made another post wishing Indy a happy birthday. The post featured her and Carlos’s three surviving children holding up an image of Indy. “Happy heavenly birthday Indy girl. Our little world changer. Psalm 34:18,” wrote PenaVega. Psalm 34:18 reads, “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

In a previous interview with Stream Studios, the couple reflected on their grief. “It’s still painful. And what I’m about to say is going to sound crazy, but we felt so blessed through it,” said Alexa. “Her life has had so much fruit in just moments of being with her. After we lost her, I was concerned that in time I wouldn’t be OK. That even though I’m OK right now — and Lord you’re sustaining me, everything is good — but what’s going to happen a couple weeks from now? What’s going to happen a month from now?” She shared a vision she had at the time of Indy with God while He and His angels wept for the PenaVega family. “Even though [God] knew that she was fully alive with him and great and happy. He wept for us.”