As many of you know, I am a participating photographer for an organization called Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. This group volunteers their time, their hearts and their talents to families experiencing the loss of a child. To learn more about NILMDTS and how you can help, visit www.nilmdts.org, but grab a box of tissues first.

I added to my volunteer duties, by becoming the area coordinator for the Triangle region. My goal was to get one of the local major hospitals on board.

In late October, through none of my own efforts, Duke University Medical Center joined as an affiliated hospital. Since their affiliation, I have completed more NILMDTS photography sessions than paying photography sessions.

I can’t say I have “enjoyed” these photography sessions as the end result is always the death of an infant and I am usually in tears during some part of the session … Tuesday for example, my angel friend became an angel in the middle of our activities together. These sessions are difficult emotionally, technically challenging, take me away from my family at the oddest of times …. but I get to walk back to my family and hug them and kiss them and know they are healthy, safe, growing … alive.

Being an active participant in NILMDTS has made me appreciate my family more than ever. It has made me think about my own family’s quality of life and take steps to make some big changes to improve it.

My first decision is to ensure I am available as much as possible to future families. I am a servant to their needs and fulfiling it is an emotional and spiritual journey.

My second decision is to ensure I give my family as much time as possible. How is that possible given the “BIG news” above? The new studio is going to separate my work from my home and *that* decision alone will help keep my family time dedicated to my family.

My third, and less important decision, is with regard to the photo poll. I looked at the photos for the month and thought to myself … how do I choose? How can I single out one, or two, or 10 photos when every one of the photos is a beautiful human being with amazing potential? How can I say any one of the photos is “better” than another and single them out. My work with NILMDTS has put me into a retrospective mood this month, so I’m going to refrain from posting a poll right now. I’m sure it’ll be back though, in some capacity.

For now, if you have any interest in assisting NILMDTS, please feel free to contact me. I wish you all the happiest and most joyful of holiday seasons.

May God bless you all.
-Aimee