I’ve said for over a year now that I feel a strong pull to volunteer for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, and organization of photographers who volunteer to be on call for families in need who are experiencing the loss of a child. I’ve always talked though about how hard it would be to do it — just thinking about it makes me cry.
After watching the video clip of what they showed on the Today Show this morning (props to Robyn for pointing it out in one of the forums that we are on), I realized that my excuses and my fear of the pain were nothing compared to the pain that families go through when they are experiencing this, and if I was in their shoes I would probably give anything for photographs of those precious moments with my child.
So I did it. No more excuses. I signed up, and am now waiting on approval from the group to formally be a member. I should know within the week. And while I hope a call never comes, I will be there, ready and willing, if it does.
I almost didn’t write about it here, but realized that I must. I want to get the word out about this wonderful organization and what they are doing to help people.
If you’re a photographer, I encourage you to volunteer. I applaud you if you do so already.
If you or someone you know is ever in need of a photographer to capture the precious moments with your child, please be sure to contact the group. As they said at the end of the video, many parents don’t think of it at the time, but no parents have ever said they wished they hadn’t done it.
