In memory of Margaret Lee

DISCLAIMER: This post was written with the blessing and by request of my friend.  She previewed every photo and read every word before I shared any of it with you. 

 

Two months ago, I had my most difficult session.  There was no bad weather or uncooperative toddler, though.  I received a call that morning that one of my best friends, Laura, had lost her baby at 40 weeks and 6 days.  Months prior, we had joked about doing birth photography (she didn’t think her husband would be a fan!) and had planned on a newborn session.  That morning, June 10, all of those jokes and plans disappeared.  Precious Margaret Lee was stillborn that day, and I went to the hospital to document a day that no mother should ever have to experience.  I had never done a session like that before, but I had heard of them through a wonderful organization called Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.  Though I am not affiliated with them, it is something that has been on my mind since.  All I kept thinking about was this– if you only got to see and hold your child for a few hours, you would NEED to have something, photos in this case, to remember her by.  I am so thankful that Laura was receptive to this idea and that this was a gift that I could give her.

My heart was racing, absolutely pounding, as I walked into the hospital room.  The tension and pain were palpable.  Each breath felt forced.  Margaret had been born just 30 minutes before I got there.  I immediately put my equipment down and walked to Laura.  As I hugged her, she beseeched me, “Isn’t she perfect??”  There was no doubt in my mind.  Margaret Lee was a beautiful baby with a striking resemblance to her 2 year old big sister.

Margaret was buried later that week, and I also had my camera at the funeral to preserve some more memories, per the family’s request.  It was a beautiful service, perfectly befitting this precious baby.  She is desperately missed.