To the Mothers with Empty Arms … specifically the ones who bravely
“like” my Maternity & Newborn portraits on Facebook –
I see you.
You don’t think anyone can, but I do. Right through our computer screens.
That wince and instant heartache. Those breaths as you try to breathe. The spilling over of longing tears.
The caress of your hand over an empty womb. The agonizing wonder of what that baby would look like
if she/he were yours instead. The wishing it was you holding your wee one right now, and then you
kindly, gently, bravely …. hit “like”.
I see you.
I marvel at you. You support me in my work, and you support a barrage of endless Mother & Baby
photos in your social media. Sometimes you even leave the sweetest comments.
And my heart falls to pieces because I want that for you more than I can say.
I ache for the babies you have lost. The children you’ve let go and laid down. The steps you’ve taken
out of the hospital doors with no balloons, no waving staff, no baby. The coming home to little clothes,
an empty nursery, to broken dreams and devastated hearts. You are always on our hearts.
Today is October 15th, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day.
In the middle of the night, you come to mind. While editing baby pictures, you come to mind.
While holding a friend’s new little one, you come to mind. And more than anything else
I wanted to say today, right here, right now… I’ve been praying for you.
Heart to heart, screen to screen, miles apart, and maybe you don’t even know me well….
I ache with you. I long with you. I see you, bravely doing life, and I’m praying for you.
I’m praying for the miracle of life, for a healthy pregnancy, for a baby to soon fill your arms,
and until then, I’m praying for peace. For joy and grace. For the knowledge that you are
remembered and thought of by many today. And that with every “like”, I’m remembering you,
seeing you, right where you are.
From my heart to yours, with so much love,
-JM
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