On Angels’ Wings II
January 17, 2020
Newborn sessions such as this one are near and dear to my heart. I feel blessed to share a small part in the life’s of the families experiencing tragic child loss by capturing memories of a lifetime for them. They allow me to share their story with you and I am so grateful for their generosity and kind hearts. Here are some glimpses into the day I photographed this family.
My second session with On Angels’ Wings began as I entered the St. Louis Children’s Hospital through a bridge from the parking garage. A child’s voice announced the floors in the elevators. It was like entering a different dimension in which the hustle and bustle of the outside world is blocked off. Here and there the sound of a blaring siren from an ambulance will enter the hallways. As a photographer for this organization, my assignment was described as follows:
4pm
STL Children’s Heart Center
Room: ####
Patient: XY
Mom: XY
I reached the Heart Center floor and checked in with the nurse. This baby was born with a congenital heart disease and wasn’t going to survive the complications suffered. I met the parents and sweet big sister, Madelyn. The room was filled with machinery and the lights were dimmed. There were tubes and monitors everywhere the eye could see. Some were blinking while others were beeping but their purpose was clear. Baby Mattesyn was held by her mom while dad was brushing Madelyn’s hair. It was a perfectly normal scene if it wasn’t playing out here in the hospital. I immediately connected with 5 year old Madelyn, who was holding a stuffed giraffe and told me that this giraffe is a gift for her baby sister. I could tell that she was feeling a lot of confusion as to what the meaning of all this was. The nurses helped bring some light into the room by opening the blinds and turning on some lights. I was ready to begin my session. This little angel, born and taken way too soon, left a mark on everyone who entered her room.
May you rest in peace little girl!