News reports of the murder of the doctor who performed late-term abortions are now highlighting the stories of some his clients. One woman learned in her third trimester that her child had a tragic illness and would not live more than a day after birth.
Families who find themselves unexpectedly in a similar situation are faced with shock, sadness and grief. As they approach what should be a joyous event — the day of birth, they know that it will also be a time of devastating sorrow.
An organization that donates its talents to help these families heal is Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. This foundation coordinates over 7,000 photographers worldwide who volunteer their time to come to the hospital or hospice and take heirloom portraits of the child during it’s too brief life. The photographers then give the photos on a CD to the family as a keepsake of their child. All services are provided for free.
Parents find that with time, the photos help with the healing process. The portraits honor and cherish their baby and help them share the child’s spirit with others. As the song on the organization’s website poignantly describes, these parents find that ”we say hello at the same time we say goodbye.” The photos help their child continue to be a part of their lives in the future.
When a family finds themselves in this paralyzing situation, learning that their child will never be able to come home from the hospital, as Catholics we need to be there for them. Trying to stop a tragic late-term abortion delays the child’s death and the means of death, but it still doesn’t address the real and sudden needs of the family. These families need more. They need others to journey with them. They need to be assured that their child’s brief life has meaning. They need faith and they need hope.
Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is not Catholic nor religiously affiliated. But what it does for families in time of grief can be called nothing short of ministry.
Posted by APWeb 
