I started writing Life on the Inside after a morning meditation. As I was praying, an idea came to write a children's book. Although I'm a Christian and hold strong convictions about the sanctity of human life, including unborn life. I felt compelled to do something. Could I be a voice for the voiceless? At the same time, I did't want to write another politically charged morality piece.
By the time we figured out how to do the project, Tiana was into her fifth pregnancy! So instead of illustrations, I'd use real-life images. Her four children would act as the main characters, helping people (children, parents, caregivers, etc.) recognize the tangible, highly developed life within the womb.
A baby is a baby, no matter how small!
For me, this simple project blossomed into a fascinating exploration of the unborn child's world. Advances in technology have unveiled mysteries never before understood. A book I found incredibly helpful was ‘From Conception to Birth - a Life Unfolds’. Here's an example of one of those mindblowing facts:
Did you know that babies dream while still the size of a papaya (18 weeks), or that a heartbeat can be detected as early as 22 days?!
The day after we shot the last photo, Roe v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. Suddenly, the issue of preborn life was central to a highly charged and emotional debate. For me, this gave the project a sense of urgency, knowing it was part of a larger story.
We must teach children what is actually happening at the earliest stages of human life. Sure, we could focus on what is wrong - abortion. Or should we, as my husband always says, simply turn on the light of truth. This book is the latter, turning on the light. Which I hope, will reveal the darkness for what it is.
I hope that 'Life on the Inside' finds its way into pregnancy care centers, hospitals, the hands of grandparents and their grandkids, and of course to both believers and skeptics.
You can purchase "Life on the Inside" HERE!
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