Infant Remembrance

I have tried to figure out an eloquent way to write this up. I want it to be reverent as it should be. In no way, do I want it to sound casual, and yet, so much of the topic is simply beyond what my words cannot address. This is a topic dear to me heart, and I keep fumbling over words—and emotions. So much so that I have avoided writing this for nearly a month, but it is something I want to tell you about. Perhaps it’ll be healing to someone you know as well.

On June 4, 2007, a family close to us celebrated the entrance of a beautiful little boy into this world. A few hours later, they had to say goodbye. That night about midnight Joe Young slipped quietly into the hospital with his equipment and used his camera to create photographic masterpieces of this tiny Treasure, and then he gave them to the family—all without cost—all invaluable.

Mr. Young is part of the organization Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, which provides professional photography for families coping with the grief of losing a baby. I have visited their site. It is stunningly beautiful. I fully believe in the healing power of what they are doing, and I wanted to share their information with you.

The following is from their website:

“Pregnancy and birth are a miraculous journey. This amazing time of life is full of mystery, anticipation, joy, hope, and wonder. Feeling the powerful energy of birth and new life, watching as a new family is born unto each other. These things humble and amaze. These are the things that we celebrate when a baby is born.

But there is another aspect of pregnancy and birth. There is an unexpected place in this journey where some families may find themselves. 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 NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP gently provides a helping hand and a healing heart. NOW offers a vital service to our community. For families overcome by grief and pain, the idea of photographing their baby may not immediately occur to them. Offering gentle and beautiful photography and videography 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.”