We were filled with joy when we found out that we were pregnant with our 2nd child! I remember holding Corbyn, our older son of 2 and a half years at the time, and we cut into a gender reveal cake finding out that we were indeed going to have a boy! When Rylen was born, our life was perfect, and our family was complete.

I was so excited to plan Rylen’s 1st Birthday Party. I had made his 1 year banner to go around his little table, and ordered his smash cake, all while organizing all the other details of food and family gathering. I remember Rylen eating his birthday cake and saying with his newly discovered voice “num num,” as he ate the delicious icing! Truly it was a perfect day filled with so many memories, ones that will forever be ingrained in my mind and heart forever… but sadly, Rylen would never get to celebrate another birthday.

A little over a month later after his 1st Birthday, Rylen woke up with a fever while Travis, my husband who is a pilot, was out flying. I was able to get Rylen some medicine to temporarily break his fever, until my mother in law took Rylen into the doctors that day, while I went to work teaching and Corbyn went to daycare. The news that it was a virus and to just let him rest and stay hydrated was what the doctor said, so we just kept a close eye. Going into the weekend, and with him not improving and only becoming more lethargic, we decided to take him to the ER. While at the ER, after pushing fluids with no change, they took blood work and kept him overnight. With moaning all night and clearly needing more medical attention, he was rushed via ambulance to Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, where he was diagnosed with Bacterial Meningitis.

Rylen by NILMDTS Affiliated Photographer Pamela Contreras

We prayed for a miracle for our sweet precious Rylen, but 9 days later, God called him to be with him instead. God had other plans for him. Plans bigger than we could ever imagine. And we just had to TRUST in the plan that God had for him.

Our hearts were broken, and our lives forever changed, but there were many gifts that came from his ashes. Beauty made from ashes.

One of those gifts was the gift of organ donation. Because of the selfless decision of organ donation, Rylen was able to save 5 lives. 3 of which we have met and keep in contact with. The heart recipient, now 9, living his best life and thriving, and a 49 year old man who we speak to often with Rylen’s left kidney.

Another gift was our photos of Rylen taken by NILMDTS,during our last days with him, turned into a beautiful keepsake hardback photo album. We even have one framed that we keep on our bedroom dresser at the foot of our bed. We look at the photo every morning as we get ready for our day, and pull out the photo album each year on his angel-versary. I’m grateful for these precious pictures, as they hold special moments for our family.

The gift of parking was gifted to our family during our stay at the hospital by an organization that provides parking passes for families staying long term in the Houston Medical Center. This is something that no one can understand the magnitude of what might seem like a small act of kindness, but truly played a major impact on our family.

Last but not least, was the gift of free housing at the hospital. Staying right down the hall from Rylen, the availability to book a room each night, so we could rest our head, shower, bathe, but at a minute's notice be right at Rylen’s side. With a kitchen available and a table to gather with family and friends, it allowed us to be there for Rylen, just like we needed to be, with no financial burden.

All these gifts that were given to us, led us to this desire to establish something in Rylen’s name, something to honor Rylen, and something that allowed us to give back to families in the same way that so many gave back to us. And with that, just shy of 2 months after Rylen’s passing, the Smilin’ Rylen Foundation was born, a 501c3 non-profit, along with its official EIN number was established.

This allowed us to have purpose, to grieve, to celebrate, and to give.

With our annual races and the funds raised, we have been able to share the same gifts given to us with our community and those in need. We have raised awareness about organ donation, shared about the beautiful gift of remembrance photography that NILMDTS provides for families, housing that Ronald McDonald Charities of Greater Houston supplies, and our newest project of the Smilin’ Rylen Parking Passes-providing free parking to families staying long term in the Houston Medical Center.

We are proud to announce that over the past 7 years, The Smilin’ Rylen Foundation has given back over $311,000 to these organizations to assist families in crisis.

There is something so powerful and healing in the gifts we got, the gifts we gave, and the gifts we will continue to give. Our hearts are overflowing knowing that these gifts are helping families go through their difficult journey and helping them turn their ashes into something beautiful.

If you’d like to learn more about The Smilin’ Rylen Foundation, who we donate our funds back to, apply for a Smilin’ Rylen Parking Pass, make a donation to the Smilin’ Rylen Parking Pass, register for our 8th Annual Smilin’ Rylen Run: which is an in person 1 mile/5k or virtual option, or become a Sponsor, please visit our website: www.smilinrylenfoundation.org

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep provides remembrance photography for families experiencing the loss of a baby. The images in this post feature an older baby which is outside our standard gift and are shared with the family's permission to honor their child and the healing power of remembrance photography. We are grateful to the Cowan family for their ongoing support and for allowing us to share their story.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, a dedicated 501(c)(3) non-profit, offers families experiencing pregnancy and infant loss with complimentary remembrance portraits, capturing precious moments with their babies. Your generous donation can help us extend this heartfelt service to more families in need. Please consider supporting us here.