Friday, July 11, 2008

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Today, a friend shared with me a blog that had an amazing link on it, and I'd like each of you to visit it and hear the story. It was a report on the NBC morning show that features a charity called "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation" (link below) ... they are Infant Bereavement photographers. Please take a moment to view this clip ... and be forewarned that it is a sensitive clip and you will leave with tears in your eyes:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23481435#23481435

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation offers help to families that are grieving from the loss of a child though photography -- they meet families in a painful and uncertain place and provide a service that allows the families to acknowledge that their baby was born, that they existed, and that they left a mark in their hearts and in this world.

Here are some paragraphs from their website that explain their foundation far better than I ever could:
When a baby dies, a world is turned upside down. There is confusion, sadness, fear, and uncertainty that cannot be explained. There is sorrow where there should have been joy. During this time, it might be impossible for families to know what they might need in order to heal in the future.

This is the place where the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation gently provides a helping hand and a healing heart. For families overcome by grief and pain, the idea of photographing their baby may not immediately occur to them. Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner is the heart of this organization. The soft, gentle heirloom photographs of these beautiful babies are an important part of the healing process. They allow families to honor and cherish their babies, and share the spirits of their lives.
I know professional pictures are not always affordable, but pictures are important. They capture life, and will last long after we are gone. They are reminders of both good and bad times, and serve to help us celebrate, mourn and heal.

This foundation has photographers all over the country, and if you know of a couple that is in a heartbreaking situation where they are facing the possible death of their child, pass this website on to them. They will appreciate it in the future.

And continue capturing photos of your children... their hands, their feet, their faces, their smiles, their eyes... cherish your children, and cherish the pictures.

4 comments:

Donnetta said...

Leave with tears in my eyes? Are you kidding??! I closed the video blubbering and bawling.

My parents have one photo of my brother as an infant in his casket. My aunt thought enough to take it for them. They are forever grateful. I grew up watching them treasure that and I learned to treasure it and hold it dear myself.

It is that experience that forced me to run for my photo camera and video camera when my daughter was fighting for her life in the NICU. We were preparing ourselves for her departure from this world. Some questioned my bringing the camera's in but I didn't for one moment. I knew I wanted every moment possible with her captured to treasure forever.

Even now, though God saw fit in His grace and mercy to leave her with us, I do not regret one moment of what we captured. Now all the footage and photos just serve to remind me of what healing and mercy He has bestowed on us.

Sorry for the long comment!...

This was absolutely and beautifully touching!!!...

Beth/Mom2TwoVikings said...

When I had a miscarriage in 2002 with my first pg, the nurse practitioner doing the ultrasound to confirm the baby was gone didn't even flinch when I asked for a picture of the ultrasound. It's the only "proof" we'll ever have of that little life. I treasure it.

This story seemed completely natural and made sense to me. GOOD FOR THEM - those photogs who stepped up to volunteer to do this!

And, I immediately share the video with DaHubby and told him that if anything should happen during this pg with Böna that I want this done!

Thanks for sharing!

Barb said...

I don't know how anyone could watch this video and not cry. It's one of the most moving things I've ever seen and one of the best ideas I've ever heard of.

I've thankfully never lost a baby, but I know for sure, having photos of that baby would help me bear it, if I had.

Thank you for sharing this GiBee.

Mindy said...

www.audreycaroline.blogspot.com
(wife of Todd Smith, singer in Selah)

This is one of my favorite blogs, she used this foundation and writes beautifully of her story...