You may have seen the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep logo on my blog.  What it means is the I am a volunteer with NILMDTS.  You may have never heard of NILMDTS, actually I hope you never have.  NILMDTS is an organization of photographers world wide who voluntarily go to the hospital to taken portraits of babies who either have not survived their birth or who will shortly pass away.  After we are done we give the images (for free) on cd to the family so that they will have something to remember this little life by.  

I know when I was pregnant my constant companion was fear, I was always afraid something would happen to my baby.  I was lucky, and have four beautiful children, but I will never forget my fear as I heard of others who were not as lucky as me, and had something go terribly wrong with their pregnancy.  I have never posted about my participation with NILMDTS because I haven’t wanted to add to the fears and worries of the many preganant woman who view my work, all you need is one more thing to worry about.  I have decided to do this post about NILMDTS today because it occurred to me that there are many babies who pass away and their families have nothing to remember them by, because they don’t know that an organization like NILMDTS exists.  

I am have to admit that I knew about NILMDTS for a few years before I signed up to be a volunteer.  I just didn’t think that I would be able to handle it.  This is the video that changed my mind.  When I saw this I realized that if there was anything I could do to help these grieving families, that I wanted to do it.  I cry every time I go.  I think I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t.  I have a hard time sleeping that night, and I am sad when I am working on the pictures, but when I am done, and I send them away to the family, I feel peaceful and happy, knowing I have done what I can to help. 

If you ever know someone who needs this service, please remember this post, and let them know about NILMDTS. It will be hard, but it will be much harder for them to have nothing to help them remember, and cherish the little person who was briefly a part of their lives, and always a part of their family.