At the risk of getting a little too personal for some of you, there are a couple of organizations that I am fortunate enough to be affiliated with that I think you should know about.  But first, here’s why I am involved with them.

4 years ago today, June 7th, 2005, we met our son

Evan Samuel Hintze

for the first time.  Evan was born way too early and he had no chance of survival.  He was born at just 21 weeks gestation.  He lived for just a few moments after his birth.  Prior to losing Evan we had two miscarriages and suffered yet another miscarriage after losing Evan.  In just the brief amount of time we spent with him he stole our hearts forever.  Even now 4 years later, we have a hard time talking about

Evan

with dry eyes.  Because he was our son.  Because he was wanted.  Because we had dreams of watching him grow up and have kids of his own.  And those things just never happened.

And so because sometimes things don’t turn out how you think they will, I have become an affiliated photographer with these two non-profit organizations.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is a world-wide community of volunteer photographers who donate their time and talent to photograph families who have just lost a baby or will soon be losing a baby.  This is a service that is provided at absolutely no cost to the family.  The photographer goes to the hospital, hospice, or home to provide priceless photographs for these families.  The family is provided with a cd of printable images of their precious little one.  Myself and another L.J. photographer are currently on call for Brazosport Memorial Hospital if the need arises.

“Pictures of Hope is a charitable organization of professional photographers who provide complimentary, documentary-style, photography sessions to babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and their families.  The Pictures of Hope Foundation is comprised of photographers (many of whom are “NICU mothers” themselves) from across the United States and Canada who are dedicated to donating their time to a cause they believe in, and sharing the gift of photography with families in need.” – From POH website

Here are a couple of photographs from a NILMDTS session I did a couple of months ago.  I have the mother’s permission to share these images here.  She believes others should know of these services.  This little one was pretty sick when I met him but he is doing much better now and growing and has a bright future.  Praise God!

As you read this, you may think this in no way relates to you.  And it may never relate to you.  But please tuck this information away somewhere in your brain.  Because the day may come somewhere down the road when someone you love might benefit from the services provided by these organizations.  And if you have a question about whether a family would qualify for these services, please feel free to call me and ask.  My phone number is 979-549-2180.

We love you, Evan.  We will always love you.  You are never far from our hearts.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

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