A New Calling - Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

I was blog hopping this morning. There are a million better things for me to be doing, but I am addicted to my computer. If I'm being honest, the Internet and I are involved in a sordid love affair - don't tell Dave. I have this new collection of blogs that I like to visit. They all deal with photography in one way or another. And I came across a video clip that had me bawling buckets of tears yet made me feel uplifted. Go figure right. It's because it spoke to me, like I have been looking for something all along and now I've found it.

Some back ground. I think most people know that I LOVE children. Sometimes it is easier to love others people children...but I truly have a deep love for little people. In general the littler they are the easier it is for me to fall head over heels. Every talent I have I feel relates to kiddos. I love teaching, I love playing, I love being silly (my kids will be shocked - don't tell them please). I went into teaching because I was a natural, I loved it and admittedly I knew that for me it would be easy (compared to nursing - that was my second choice). Every job I have ever had that I loved was about children. My favorite was Sunshine preschool. I LOVED that job. I still remember those kids names! My favorite place to serve in the Church is in the Primary. I am languishing in Relief Society (women) right now. And most of all I really, really LOVE being a Mom and the great blessing I have to stay at home with my four children. But in addition to all of that I have always felt this yearning to give back and serve. To share my talents, and love children that need it most. I have always thought some day that I would like to volunteer at a children's cancer center. Just doing everyday things like reading books, doing puppet shows, playing with play dough...just trying to uplift children who are having to deal with adult things while still in their childhood. I may still do that someday when my children are grown. But this new wonderful way to serve I could easily do NOW! (maybe I could volunteer now too...) and it goes hand in hand with my efforts to develop my photography talent.

SO WHAT IS IT?????

It is an organization called Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. I had never heard about them before. They are an organization of photographers and support people (assistants, editors etc...) that photograph babies with their last moments with their new families. It makes my heart ache to think that society sometimes tells parents to get over it and move on. Sometimes it seems like parents are encouraged to keep as little evidence as possible of that little life to "help" their own emotional healing. I know I don't speak from experience, but hypothetically speaking, I would want to be able to celebrate the life of my baby. It would be painful, but I would be grateful for that little slice of time to bond with my child. This organization helps parents get in touch with photographers to do just that. They come to the hospital to take photos of the family with their little one. I couldn't find information about fees...but I hope it is a free service. If not I will do it on my own without being a volunteer of NILMDTS.

I went straight away tho their website after watching the video on the blog I was on. It turns out there is some serious qualification stuff to deal with. First I have to get my website up and running. Then I apply and a board looks at my work to decide if I am good enough! I love it. They are sending real professional photographers to these aching families. I WANT TO BE PART OF THAT!