Our World Turned Upside Down: Life After the Death of a Child

Kristi Hay suffered the loss of her second child when he was just four days old. Kristi and her husband, along with their elder son, had carefully planned for the family's new addition. Suddenly, the vision of their family of four was shattered. It was as if their "world had been turned upside down." The author relates how she and her family found healing with the help of family, friends, and support organizations, and by identifying with others, even well-known figures, who have suffered similar loss. She questioned, yet drew strength from her faith; and through the years, Kristi and her family have found ways to maintain a sense of their second son's presence in their lives. Kristi continues to work as a Labor & Delivery nurse, uniquely positioned to empathize with other families who suffer similar loss. Part of her redemption is her personal ministry of reaching out to those families to offer insights, both professional and personal.