It has been 4 weeks since our family met, fell in love with, and then said goodbye to our precious Baby Sophia. Words cannot explain the loss and sadness that we feel. We were told that our grieving process will not be day to day, but moment to moment. They were right.
One moment we are so, so sad that Jack never had the chance to grow up with his sweet baby sister. And that Sophia wasn't given the opportunity to play with all of her cousins or know what amazing aunts and uncles she has. Her brief time did not allow her to take a nap with Bapa Voigt or sing along while Grandpa Robert played Johnny Cash on his guitar. Grandma Joanne, Nana Mary Jean, and Great Grandma Lorraine were never given the chance to spoil their sweet grandaughter with adorable dresses or bows or books or cookies.
But then the next moment we try so hard to focus on how blessed we are to have been given the gift of meeting our beautiful baby girl...even if it was for one brief day.
One special gift that we were given that helps us smile each day is our photographer, Emily Griffith. Emily was referred to us by a friend when Jack was born and has taken Jack's pictures several times since then. She has always done a fabulous job of capturing how cute we think he is and also capturing his sweet little personality! We called Emily the night that Sophia died. Emily left her house in Rochester just minutes later and drove to Children's Hospital to photograph our family once again, but under very different circumstances.
Emily graciously volunteers her time and talent for an organization called "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep." I remember reading about it when I was first looking at her photography blog and thinking how special it is that she volunteers for NILMDTS...but never, ever thought that I would personally use this service.
Emily is truly amazing. This was obviously a very special, sad and intimate time for Dan, Jack and I as it was the first time we were able to hold Sophia. It was also the time that we had to say good-bye. Emily was so unobtrusive, gentle, compassionate and professional. I cannot imagine anyone else being there with our family. Emily - you gave us a gift that we will forever cherish. I know as time goes by it will become more and more difficult to remember exactly what her sweet little fingers and toes looked like. Your work touched our hearts and although this is a very sad and difficult time, we find peace and comfort knowing that we will always remember her beautiful face, her darling button nose and her sweet little fingers and toes because of you and your beautiful photography. Thank you with all of our hearts :)
Emily posted several of her pictures on her blog, which is below:
http://lemonlimestudios.blogspot.com/search?q=sophia
She also put these pictures into a beautiful video slideshow:
http://animoto.com/play/zhpxq561H5UftPq0Zux5WQ?utm_campaign=share_email&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_email
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6 comments:
Alli, Dan, & Jack,
It seems impossible that it has been 4 weeks since we met our precious niece, Sophia Rebecca. She will be in our hearts forever. She is our Angel.
Lots of love,
Alissa & Barnaby
Alli, Dan, and Jack,
What a blessing Emily's photographs
have been to all of us. As grandparents, we cannot thank her enough for capturing the beautiful memories of Sophia. As your parents, we thank her for the
comfort they bring to you and
Dan. As we look at the photos we can feel the love, joy, and sorrow
you- and all those who love you-experienced that day. Sophia Rebecca was a beautiful baby!
We will love her always.
We love you, Alli, Dan, and Jack.
Mom and Dad
You two continue to amaze us with your grace and loveliness throughout this unfathomable journey. We miss Sophia every single day but not a day goes by where we don't think of her, wave to her and keep her in our prayers. Emily has given us a wonderful way to hang on to her on a daily basis as well - I am so glad she has been so wonderful to you both. Sweet Sophie is so dearly loved. Wishing you both strength, love and hope as you navigate these moments.
Love you!
Katy, Mike, Lily and Henri
Beautiful pictures, Alli. I see a lot of you, but also Angie in that sweet little face of Sophia. I hope you can find some comfort in having those cherished pictures forever.
Mollie (Mohr) Dusha
The pictures are absolutely wonderful and I love how they truly capture your emotions. My heart continues to feel for you and I hope that the pictures can bring you some sense of peace. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't pray for your entire family. Your strength and grace continues to amaze me. I am so proud of all of you.
All my love,
Kirsten
Dan and Alli,
The grace you have shown through this very devastating time just makes me cry and be so very proud to be a small part of your lives. Trust me when I tell you that Great Aunt Vonnie is the queen of lullabies and she is up in heaven singing Sophia to sleep every night. I wish very much that I was there to be with you, but I know you have such awesome families on all sides, so that makes me feel better. You are so very loved and so is Sophia. I love your blog and wonder if you might keep it going because I think it might help others who are faced with the loss of a child. The same day Sophia died, my very good friend here in Tucson lost her 2 & 3 year old niece and nephew to a backyard pool drowning...I can't imagine the pain you are all feeling, and I wish I could lessen it, but I know you are grateful for your daughter and I am grateful for you; you are teaching us all important things about life and loss.
All my love, Cousin Nomi in Tucson
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