A Grieving Mother's Most Prized Possession + The Value of Photographs with Gina Harris, CEO of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep | Episode 141

Episode 141

This week I have the honor and privilege of interviewing Gina Harris, a mom who has experienced devastating loss with two sons diagnosed with life-limiting diagnosis as well as the immense pain of two subsequent miscarriages. Gina understands this journey well and is here today to share with us not only as a mother who has experienced the loss of a baby but also as the CEO of Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep is an organization that provides the gift of remembrance portraits to parents experiencing the death of a baby. Gina is passionate about the value of photographs for families like us and I was so grateful for this conversation. I especially loved when she said:

“the photographs of our son David, are our most prized and cherished possession. They are everything to us still to this day. 14 years later… these photographs document the existence of our precious babies.”

I can’t wait for you to hear more about Gina’s story, the role that remembrance photography played in her story as well as Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. Gina shares with us how we can help spread the news about the services they offer, both for moms and for medical professionals, and how you can get connected and learn more about their volunteer opportunities. As a side note they need more than just photographers as volunteers, so don’t dismiss those volunteer opportunities until you hear Gina share a little more about ways you can serve.

Also, I wanted to mention that as we near the end of the year, if you are looking for year end giving opportunities this would be a really, really great organization to give towards and you could even do so in honor of your baby this Christmas. To find out more about how to give a donation head to nowilaymedowntosleep.org.

QUESTIONS WE DISCUSS IN EPISODE 141

Tell me about Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, why would a mom listening want to know about your organization?
How have you seen NILMDTS impact grieving families who have received the gift of photography?
Why is it so important for grieving families to have photos taken of their babies?
You mentioned to me that while you did have a photographer for your first son David you did not get pictures of your second son Ethan. You said not having photos has left an empty hole in your heart. Tell me more about that.
What would you say to a mom who is hesitant about wanting her baby photographed?
How does someone grieving get connected with them and receive photos from them?
How can a mom listening get involved with NILMDTS so that this service can continue to be provided?
How can photographers join your team?

CONNECT WITH Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

Meet Gina

Gina has been the CEO at NILMDTS since October 2011. Gina has worked in the nonprofit sector her entire career and has personally been touched by the services of NILMDTS.

In 2007, Gina and her husband went to a routine prenatal visit for their first baby and learned that their unborn son had a rare condition called Potter’s Syndrome, which is not compatible with life. As they carried their baby to term, they learned about NILMDTS and requested a photographer to capture images of their son David on October 25, 2007.

Not even a year later, the Harris’ lost their second son, Ethan from another, unrelated fetal condition called hydrops and cystic hygromas. Because his condition was so severe and the shock they were in, the couple did not get pictures of him. Gina says it has left an empty hole in her heart. She understands from firsthand experience the significance NILMDTS images have on the healing journey.

After losing David and Ethan, the Harris’ lost two more babies through miscarriage. They were told by doctors that they could not have a healthy boy. Shortly after Gina joined NILMDTS as the CEO, she became pregnant again and in 2012 delivered her rainbow baby – a healthy boy named RJ.

Gina is a sought after national speaker in the fields of relationship education, bereavement, and positive youth development. Gina is a contributing author in the books, “Unshakable Character” and “The Burning Heart of a Difference Maker.” Her story (listed under her maiden name Gina Waegele) is featured in the book, “Sister Freaks,” edited by Rebecca St. James. She has been featured in major media including CNN, The LA Times, The Washington Post, Extra, NBC, People Magazine, all the major Denver media, as well as dozens of local newspapers and radio shows.

Gina has a Master’s of Science in Nonprofit Management from Regis University. She graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor of arts in television news and video communications and has worked as a reporter and anchor for a CBS affiliate. Gina is a four-time state championship cheerleading coach and choreographer and was the 2008 John Lynch Foundation Coach of the Year. She has been married to her husband Rob since 2004. Rob, Gina, and their rainbow baby RJ along with their dog Lily reside in Colorado. She enjoys working out, running, hiking and playing board games.

HOLIDAY RESOURCES

Along with this podcast episode we have pulled together all of our best and most helpful resources for navigating the holidays, into our Holiday Workbook & Resource Bundle linked below. This resource is going to include quick access to all of our holiday material, including links to our holiday interviews and posts like how to handle Christmas Cards as well as a workbook that gives you space to prepare your mind and heart for the holiday season -- you access that free download below.

Also, I would love to invite you to a free free live event: Hope for the Holidays, happening on November 21. We will be sharing all of this wisdom about navigating the holidays live —you can register for this live event in our free private community; if you aren’t a member of our community yet, now is a great time to join! Click the link below to join the community.