Thursday, April 3, 2008

Simplicity

I'm feeling a little drained tonight. I got a call from one of the other Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep photographers in my area. She was not able to take an assignment from one of the hosptials, so she called to see if I could do it. It turns out they needed a photographer for three stillborn babies -- all from different families. I took the assignment and did fine during the sessions, but now I'm feeling quite overwhelmed by the whole experience. Each situation was different, but all were so tragic. I am feeling so sad for all of those families tonight. I witnessed such grief and sadness today and so much of a sense of dreams shattered.

My picture today is just of a white flower. To me, it symbolizes simplicity and purity -- just like those tiny little angels I photographed today.

26 comments:

For Over 29 Years... said...

What a powerful post, even though you didn't give situations. I can't imagine one stillborn baby, let alone 3 at once with different families. I praise you for doing this for the families.

Jess said...

OH, my heart goes out to those poor families. {{hugs}} to you for doing such a wonderful thing for them!

This is such a beautiful shot. I have a few of these flowers in my bouquet, one of my macro shots today is of one of them! Great minds, huh?

Anonymous said...

Oh hugs to you...you did such a wonderful thing for all 3 of those families...they will have something to treasure all because you were there...Hugs again...
love the flower by the way!
cari

Sharon said...

Stunning!

Melissa said...

Wow this post really makes you grab your kids and give them big hugs and thank god everyday! You are amazing to be doing something like this and some day I hope to get up enough strength to do the same!

By the way your flower shot is gorgeous, love the composition!

Jason said...

WOW, I could not imagen... Thanks for doing such a wonderfull thing for them.

Danielle said...

Margaret my heart is breaking for you tonight. I am so glad that you provide such a wonderful gift for these families. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Kristen Wagner Penn said...

Oh you poor thing! I cannot imagine doing three all at once. You are giving those families an amazing gift!

amazing grace said...

oh how heartbreaking. that just makes me so sad. glad that you could be there---but sad.

pakosta said...

i am so sorry about those families. God bless you for doing that!
and i love your flower shot.
tara

Mom2Drew said...

As a mom of a stillborn baby girl, THANK you for giving your time to help those grieving so deeply. Even if they could not express to you their gratitude, they will have the photos to look at when they are ready to face them. I only have one pic of my Kendall, but look at it every now again. The white flower is such a precious token as well, beautiful post.

jordan.krogman said...

I am so sorry for those families and for your rough night. YOU are such an angel for being there. . . what a beautiful thing! I love the white flower and what it stands for. Beautiful

Donnah Ciempka said...

Wow - I am saying that a lot today. YOur image and post really touched me - thank-you for making me think about others and not my own insignificant issues - you are doing a great thing.

Yvette A said...

Oh this post brings me to tears.

You did a great thing for those families.

Kristina said...

Oh, I hope you can "refresh" today. I can only imagine that you would be exhausted! What a gift you are giving those families, though! Beautiful flower too.

Laura B. said...

Beautiful post, Margaret. I so admire your selfless giving in helping those families. I can just imagine the heartbreak involved, and 3 at one time?! You're right--dreams shattered is a good description. I feel your flower is aptly appropriate--pure, delicate.

pat said...

MArgaret--I was the previous post. I'm at DD's at keep forgetting to see who I'm signed in as. Identity crisis in old age!

Becky said...

God bless you, and God bless those families. Beautiful flower to capture perfectly the feelings in your post.

Jen said...

Beautiful.... and yes... simple!

Shawna said...

Oh I cannot even imagine how hard that is for you, but what a wonderful gift you are giving these families to always cherish. My heart goes out to those families, what a tragedy.

Val said...

Aw so sorry. What a rough night. My thoughts are with those poor families.

Cindi Koceich said...

Bless your heart! What an incredible amount of grief you went through. Hugs and bless you for giving so much of your own emotions to do something so important for those families. I'm working up my courage to sign up for this program.

Amy said...

Meg, May God bless you for that unselfish service. If I ever lose a child, I would want someone like you to be there.

Amy said...

I am so sad for those families, but how selfless of you to do such a meaningful thing for them.

This is a beautiful flower shot that conveys exactly what you said.

April said...

oh my word..you did 3 in one day?? wow. I don't think i could do that. i have a hard time just hearing about those stories..it takes a lot of strength to be able to do what you do.

that's a great shot of the flower. it's beautiful

Tera Fraley said...

This is a lovely picture! Im so sorry to hear this, Im sure its not an easy thing to do. Just know how blessed the families will be to have those memories. You are doing a wonderful things!