Missouri Life Magazine

[Cheryl Haggard]

Here is a new article that will appear in the February issue:

http://missourilife.com/articles/show/493-Now_I_Lay_Me_Down_to_Sleep

[linda]

As always C, Beautifully written!!!!!!!!

[David Hails]

Wonderful article.

[Nancy Reeves]

Very nice article.

[HAINAngel2000]

This was a great article. Well written and heart grabbing. Reading about sweet angel Maddux makes my heart ache. But knowing what his momma did in honor of him is simply amazing. I am just so proud of you Cheryl and you Sandy. You are great Gals. (Cheryl my hubby is from Missiouri, what part are you from? He is from Springfield. His grandfather was the so founder of Smith/Glynn/Callaway Hospital)

[coolgrandma]

I have never had to courage to post before, but here goes. I am a Gradmother from Jefferson City (grew up near the Lake of the Ozarks) who has two angel grandbabies. I originally found out about NILMDTS from my daughter who is a Child Life Specialist at Children's Hospital in Columbia, MO. I have always just followed the posts and added to my prayer list each family who are going through such hard times. The article in Missouri Life encouraged me to post and just share a little more about how Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep continues to help many, many families in the central Missouri area.

While working with the NICU is part of her job, she also works with many other children and their families--those with chronic illnesses and also those who may be coming in the hospital from an accident or sudden illness. Some recover and she helps them celebrate going home, but many do not return to their earthly home. Unfortunately many times a family with a chronic ill child has not had an opportunity to have a professional picture of the child or especially a family picture for a long time or perhaps never. She puts these families and photographers together so there is an opportunity to have these wonderful memories. A program called "Journeys", which was founded by my daughter and a close friend of hers who is a social worker, helps families with the "journey to the end of life" and picture memories is only one part of their journey. Who would understand any better how important this is than the wonderful people on this forum.

Cheryl and Sandy your vision of being able to make picture memories with your child, regardless of their age, will live on forever.

[motherofthree]

Beautiful - this quote especiall touched me, expresses what I feel...

“You would think that most parents of these babies would be bitter that they had so little time with their child,” says photographer Annie Patrick of Carthage, “but my experience has shown it to be the opposite. They call themselves blessed because they were allowed to spend those precious moments with a child that changed their lives forever."

[Jennifer Ayers]

Beautiful! Looks great...Glad it was in there.

[Tammy]

Beautiful article Cheryl. Including the points of view of the photographers who donate their time and talents to NILMDTS is powerful along with testimonials from families who receive their services.