I was touched because the photos show how beautiful and perfect the hands and feet of Jubilee Shalom Duggar were. The family contacted "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep," an organization I have endorsed in one of my books, in order to have a permanent memento of their 20th child. These photos are beautiful, loving, and clearly show how human this tiny child was.
What shocked me was that TMZ called these pictures "photos of the fetal corpse" and even included a disclaimer of their site, saying that these photos might offend viewers. Excuse me? What kind of offense could these little feet cause?
Except . . . it truly might shock and educate those who believe that an unborn baby is a featureless fetus, a creature less than human simply because it has never breathed outside its mother's body. TMZ treated this entire story of the Duggar's action as something macabre and horrible, and I, for one, think their reaction is what's macabre and horrible.
Human life is fully human at conception. There is nothing horrible or shameful about a baby in the womb, even a baby that does not survive in the womb . . . unless that baby is forcibly pulled from the womb with a vacuum machine, a scalpel, or pair of scissors, or a salty solution that burns the baby's skin from its body.
THAT's horrible. That's macabre. And I'm ashamed and shocked to realize that many in our nation have confused these two realities.
~~Angie
Thank you for this blog. I am so tired of hearing and reading such negative press on this loving family. Bless you.
ReplyDeleteCassandra
I totally agree! I do not watch their show or follow them, but as a mother I can only imagine their pain and sorrow.
ReplyDeleteIt is shameful how the world views the unborn. We need to continue to be the voice of these little ones.
Thank you for your comments!
Angie:
ReplyDeleteLove this post. I agree with you on all counts. I did not see the TMZ's treatment of the loss of the Duggar's 20th child, but I think they have raised awareness that is important. In fact, this little one (who is now with Jesus) may change the mind of a woman who thinks abortion is her only recourse.
A friend of mine, Megan D., told us about the "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" organization and a few years later I called them to take pictures of my niece, Trinity Rose as she was born at 23 weeks and did not survive more than 12 hours. They quickly came and took pictures of her while she was alive in her mother's and father's arms and I know how much those pictures comfort them to this day. It is an amazing organization! Thanks for sharing this.
The reason TMZ thinks these photos are horrible is because it shocks them to the core that they may have to consider their stance on life in the womb.
Thank you for posting this!
I read this and just wept. And then I prayed. Thank you for putting words to this...I pray that it makes a godly difference.
ReplyDelete~Tina Hunt
Amen Angela! Martha
ReplyDeleteVery precious for the parents. I did read however that the Duggars did not give permission for their photos to be released to the public :( Love the photo you published with this article. Sweet little feet.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God
What a wonderful tribute you have given this family and all families who suffer the loss of a new baby. Like many, we have suffered that loss in our family more than once and this gave me much comfort. Much love and appreciation. Clyde
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard about TMZ's reaction. The truth is an offense to those who try to deny it. Thanks for posting this, Angie.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your blog, Angie.
ReplyDeleteWhile I don't disagree that this may force people to rethink things; My first inclination is that TMZ said all that to GET people to click on the article. The more people that click on articles; the more ads are generated; the more $ - People who don't know or don't care who the Duggars are are going to be much more likely to look at pictures that "might be offensive" than something that's not.
ReplyDeleteI have held my own baby boy, just that size, in my hand. It is something that changes your life and your heart. You can never go back.....
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing this article !
ReplyDeleteThank you for your blog. I do watch 19 Kids and Counting. I am brokenhearted that Michelle has lost her little Jubilee. They are a precious family and represent, to me, the essence of giving complete control to God. I have heard of TMZ, but don't know what it is. Talk about missing the point entirely. Thank you for sharing not only your thoughts but for sharing an organization that can bring solace to families in the midst of the greatest sorrow.
ReplyDeleteThank you for putting this information to light! The world needs to be educated and face reality that precious bundle is a BABY!!
ReplyDeleteMy questions to TMZ would be:
1. Why can you feel the baby kicking you?
2.Why can you hear a heartbeat?
3.Why does one have to go to drs. appointments ?
4.Being careful not to over do it and watching what you eat or drink?
Praying for the Duggar family.
jennydtipton@gmail.com
It hurts each time a baby is lost. TMZ and others like them are blind. I think this is a beautiful memorial.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post. My daughter's first baby was stillborn at 36 weeks, it was devastating! The hospital had a trained staff for this situation, they were marvelous in their care. Ryder was a beautiful baby boy and is home with Jesus. She has had three children since then (2006) but she will never forget Ryder. There are so many women who have gone through this. Those who haven't do not always know how blessed they are. God is good, He never leaves us and is always with us through the hard times.
ReplyDeleteI think Jubilee Shalom Duggar will help to save the lives of many children, including the children of some people who click on the pictures for sensationalist reasons on the TMZ site.
ReplyDeleteWhile we are praying for the Duggar family let's also remember to pray for those at TMZ and elsewhere who find these images offensive because it may force them to confront the truth about some of their own children whose live were ended because they, the parents, believed the lies of the other side.
Oh, my. Powerful, Angie. Thank you for sharing this, and your thoughts. Totally agree with you. The photo was interesting--then I looked again and realized it was not of a child with feet hanging on the arm of the couch--but held between a parent's fingers!
ReplyDeleteMary Kay
Just by posting the photo of the feet, TMZ shows people that fetuses have features just like any other human. They may think it's disturbing, but maybe it's disturbing because it's proof to something they've been against.
ReplyDelete