"Capture Your Grief" Day 31 - Sunset

"Capture Your Grief" Your Grief : Tell The World - Day 30

No mother... Should ever have to bury her child.

"Capture Your Grief" Day 29 - Music

Sawyer's song - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjUMURbWtfI

"Capture Your Grief" Day 28 - Memory

June 2nd was - for the most part - the best day. Sawyer was stable, I was able to visit for the first time. I could be there for him, hold his hand. Touch his soft skin. Stroke his fingers when he was in pain. I thought this was the beginning of our long road in the NICU. I never thought it would have ended so soon. This is my favorite memory though. The quiet hum of beeps and machines. Knowing he was safe with me. This moment. This memory, thank you God for giving it to me.

Right There

Snuggled up by the fire on the couch at bedtime... Sadie sleepily asks me, "Momma? Do you see Sawyer?" I answer, "Where, Sadie?" And with a yawn in her voice she says, "Right there mommy. When you close your eyes."

"Capture Your Grief" Day 27 - Artwork

A figurative artist from British Columbia named Kate Hansen, included Sawyer and I in her Madonna And Child Project in 2010. I was so honored that she represented the most painful experience of motherhood. One that too many women have sadly had to endure. In Kate's words: "Each portrait was combined with a birth story written by the mother in her own words. The use of contemporary women subverts the classical theme of the Madonna and Child, but also honours the relationship between mother and child."

"Capture Your Grief" Day 26 - Their Age

Two days...

"Capture Your Grief" Day 25 - Baby Shower/Blessing

I didn't have a baby shower or a blessing for Sawyer. I was on bedrest at 24 weeks and since he was our second child, I don't think anyone thought to have another shower. I had everything I needed. But, I did receive a few small gifts as his arrival approached. My favorite is a baby book Erik gave me for Mothers Day that year. I spent a lot of my time on bedrest filling out the pages, I had nothing else to do. I'm so glad I had this and wrote down my thoughts and love for Sawyer before his arrival.

"Capture Your Grief" Day 24 - Siblings

A picture like this, should never exist...

"Capture Your Grief" Day 23 - Name and Photo

Sawyer Erik Williams

"Capture Your Grief" Day 22 - Place Of Birth

University of Chicago Hospital is where Sawyer was born. Comer Children's Hospital - connected by a long bridge - is where Sawyer died in our arms. Every time I am there I am reminded of how powerful a single place can be. When I see the bridge that connects the hospital to Comer, I cry - remembering Erik pushing me in a wheelchair at 4 a.m. on June 3rd toward the NICU. The last time we'd go there.

"Capture Your Grief" Day 21 - Sacred Place

We have a baby-blue trunk that we had ready for Sawyer before his arrival. It was going to be his toy box. Instead, it has become the place where we have placed all of his things and most precious gifts. I don't go inside of his box very much, because it is too hard - but knowing it is right there, whenever I need to feel his clothes or smell his blanket - brings so much comfort. This is absolutely my sacred place for him.

"Capture Your Grief" Day 20 - Organization/Charity

When Sawyer died, I knew nothing about CHDs. I knew no other mother like me - who did not know before their baby was born, that their heart was broken. One of the first people to reach out to me was Kristine Brite McCormick of Cora's Story. I have learned and continue to learn so much from Kristine and Cora. I am so fortunate to have found a close friendship with Kristine too. I will always be thankful to her and am so proud of all she has done for so many families in the CHD community and for so many grieving mothers.

"Capture Your Grief" Day 19 - Project

Sawyer's Heart Project, founded in memory of my son for all families suffering the death of a baby.

"Capture Your Grief" Day 18 - Your Family Portrait

June 1, 2012 - Sawyer's 2nd birthday. Exactly one year and one month after his birth, Landon was born on the last day of June.

"Capture Your Grief" Day 17 - Due Date

His due date held so much for me. It was everything. It was the day he was supposed to arrive, and stay. It was the day we were supposed to be so happy. It was going to be a day filled with tears of joy, first diaper changes and proud announcements of his arrival... Instead, we spent the day in the cemetery. Just our small family. We brought him flowers and we sent balloons "high in the sky" for Sadie's little brother. We had ice cream and smiled through the tears at our daughter, bursting with love and life - knowing she was a wonderful big sister.

"Capture Your Grief" Day 16 - Release

June 7, 2010... Sawyer's funeral

"Capture Your Grief" Day 15 - Wave Of Light

"Capture Your Grief" Day 14 - Community

To me, the infant loss community is what continues to get me through each day of my life after Sawyer's death. This photo is from our annual "Walk To Remember" held each year in my hometown. I would never have had the strength to plan our annual remembrance ceremony if it wasn't for the dozens of other families I have met along the way, just like mine - who give me such strength. I would not be who I am today without my community.

"Capture Your Grief" Day 13 - Signs

Every time I see a hawk soaring... I know it is a sign from you, my sweet baby.

"Capture Your Grief" Day 12 - Scents

The baby shampoo and lotion with the basin we had filled with water and used to bathe and clean Sawyer. The smell of these...an instant trigger. His blanket and clothes still smell like these, and him. I rarely take them out. I want to preserve the scent forever.

"Capture Your Grief" Day 11 - Supportive Friends/Family

"Capture Your Grief" Day 10 - Symbol

The day of Sawyer's funeral this hawk was perched in a tree, toward the back of the cemetery, singing his song. A lot of people told us about it, I didn't see it that day - but almost every visit to the cemetery after that, we would see "Sawyer's hawk." Seeing a hawk, always reminds me of his spirit, wings spread - soaring against the blue sky.

"Capture Your Grief" Day 9 - Special Place

Reliving the days that Sawyer was alive are incredibly painful. Every year since his death, we leave on his birthday and head to Lake Michigan as a family. There is a peace in the waters. Every night, the sun sets but every morning it rises again, giving us hope. And bringing us one day closer to holding him in our arms again.

"Capture Your Grief" Day 8 - Jewelry

"Capture Your Grief" Day 7 - What To Say

"Capture Your Grief" Day 6 - What Not To Say

"Capture Your Grief" Day 5 - Memorial

The epitaph is from the song we played at his funeral.

"Capture Your Grief" Day 4 - Treasured Item

Sawyer's footprints in a heart-shaped plaster mold. If my house was on fire and I could only choose one thing to save from the flames, this would be it. I am forever thankful for this gift and memory we were able to make with him - it is also the inspiration behind Sawyer's Heart Project.

"Capture Your Grief" Day 3 - Self Portrait After Loss

Me and Landon, at Sawyer's grave - Thanksgiving 2011

"Capture Your Grief" Day 2 - Before Loss Self Portrait

This picture was taken in early May 2010. I wanted a "belly" picture with Sawyer and Sadie before heading off to the doctor in Chicago. I feel like this was the last day we were truly happy and innocent. Later that morning, we were told something was wrong with our baby. We were very scared - yet so incredibly hopeful. We never thought he would die.

Day 1 - Sunrise

Sunrise at our home, over Sawyer's flowers

Capture Your Grief - A CarlyMarie Project