Buck Layton
08-04-2008, 11:43 PM
Hello, everyone! My name is Buck Layton and I am a new affiliated photographer (currently in approval status) with NILMDTS. My wife, Debbie and I have had a journey in life, much like many of you, that has included the loss of a beautiful and wonderful child at birth. Michelle lived for 15 minutes after her birth due to a chromosomal defect. It was an intensely painful and special time, that was made more meaningful because we knew at 7 months that Michelle would not make it. We did things to prepare for this time that we never would have done if we had not known, like choosing a stuffed animal which would stay with her through burial with the song inside, "Jesus Loves Me This I Know." We bathed and dressed her and took turns holding her for several hours and telling her so many personal thoughts. We also took many photographs that we so cherish today. God has blessed us with a full-quiver of 8 wonderful children, 4 wonderful grandchildren and one great-grandchild!
It was amazing how God led me to NILMDTS and my Oregon local Area Coordinator, Amy Hardesty. My cousin, living in Ohio (also my birth state) read an article in the Cincinnatti Enquirer about several families involvement with local photographers from the NILMDTS and the real blessing their photographer was to their family at the time of loss in their lives. My cousin, knowing of my 39 years experience in photography and knowing what we went through with our own child, Michelle, then connected the dots and sent me the article. I read every story in the paper and couldn't hold back the tears and then carefully read every page in the NILMDTS web site... more tears and then developed the deep conviction that this was something so important that I had to become involved. My 1st training session is scheduled for Aug. 11, which is next Monday.
What a privileage to be able to give something from your heart with no expectation of a return. When I checked the Area Coordinator and local photographer list on the site the nearest Coordinator to me was a woman by the name of Amy Hardesty. Hum... that name was very familiar. When I checked out her web site she had the name and picture of her husband John listed and I knew that we already knew the family! We have known and have been friends with John's parents for years. In fact, my wife and I had been praying for John and his family for 2 years. When I shared all of this during my 1st conversation with Amy she was blown away!
It all started in Ohio... and a life time of preparation.
It was amazing how God led me to NILMDTS and my Oregon local Area Coordinator, Amy Hardesty. My cousin, living in Ohio (also my birth state) read an article in the Cincinnatti Enquirer about several families involvement with local photographers from the NILMDTS and the real blessing their photographer was to their family at the time of loss in their lives. My cousin, knowing of my 39 years experience in photography and knowing what we went through with our own child, Michelle, then connected the dots and sent me the article. I read every story in the paper and couldn't hold back the tears and then carefully read every page in the NILMDTS web site... more tears and then developed the deep conviction that this was something so important that I had to become involved. My 1st training session is scheduled for Aug. 11, which is next Monday.
What a privileage to be able to give something from your heart with no expectation of a return. When I checked the Area Coordinator and local photographer list on the site the nearest Coordinator to me was a woman by the name of Amy Hardesty. Hum... that name was very familiar. When I checked out her web site she had the name and picture of her husband John listed and I knew that we already knew the family! We have known and have been friends with John's parents for years. In fact, my wife and I had been praying for John and his family for 2 years. When I shared all of this during my 1st conversation with Amy she was blown away!
It all started in Ohio... and a life time of preparation.