‘THE SUN WILL RISE’
The loss of a child is widely recognized as the most devastating thing a parent can endure. Nick and Natalie Scott are living examples of how truly transforming the loss of a child can be, and via a new book titled “The Sun Will Rise,” Natalie outlines the couple’s personal yearslong journey of reclaiming the joy and peace of living each day.
Like all parents to be, Nick and Natalie were happily looking forward to the birth of their first child.
Eleanora Lynn Scott came into the world beautiful and healthy on June 17, 2011 – and five days later, on June 22, she died of an unspecified cause.
“I thought our world had come to an end,” Natalie said. “I blamed myself and simply could not function. That time and day haunted me for years. I thought there should have been something we could have done to save her. Our lives were forever changed and Nick and I had to find a way to begin living again.”
Natalie said she noticed after nursing that Eleanora looked yellow. The couple had the baby to the doctor just two days prior and everything was fine. They called the doctor’s office and were told to bring Eleanora in immediately.
“She stopped breathing at the doctor’s office and then she was rushed to the hospital,” Natalie said. “We still had hope that she’d be OK. They worked on her for about 45 minutes and exhausted every possible measure, but they couldn’t save her.”
Natalie said Eleanora did not succumb to SIDS. Approximately 95 percent of babies that die from SIDS do so while sleeping. Eleanora was wide awake.
Natalie said due to the circumstances surrounding Eleanora’s death, the police were called to the hospital and to their home.
“An autopsy was performed because it started at home,” Natalie said. “I was able to hold her, but Nick and I were separated and questioned. Our baby just died and we were taken into two separate rooms. The police were there when we said goodbye to our little girl.”
Natalie said as hard as it was, she and Nick understood the police officers were doing their job.
“It’s sad that this is the world in which we live,” Natalie said. “Sad that people do things to their babies. Unfortunately, we got caught up in that. Of course, nothing was found to be wrong. We loved Eleanora with all our hearts. We were broken.”
The next few months were a blur, but under the care of her doctor, Natalie and Nick, who was born and raised in Brookhaven, decided to try and have another child.
Pierce, now 7, was born
“I want people that have experienced loss to know it’s OK to laugh again, it’s OK to live. I wanted to share the things that helped me to heal and feel normal. I felt so alone and wanted the world to know how to treat someone who has lost a child. And, that it’s OK to speak your baby’s name.”
— Natalie Scott
a year after Eleanora’s death; followed by Everett, now 5 years old.
Natalie said she knew when she lost Eleanora that she needed to write her story, but just could not find the courage strength to do so.
“I began writing the book a year after Everett was born,” said Natalie, who has been employed by Easter Seals as a writer for many years. “The boys know everything about their sister. They talk about her, tell people about her and include her in pictures of our family.”
“The Sun Will Rise,” which was published on June 25, 2019, is split into two parts. The first part is the story of Eleanora – her brief, but important life – or and her unexpected death.
The second part is comprised of poems, songs and things Natalie found helpful.
“I want people that have experienced loss to know it’s OK to laugh again, it’s OK to live,” Natalie said. “I wanted to share the things that helped me to heal and feel normal. I felt so alone and wanted the world to know how to treat someone who has lost a child. And, that it’s OK to speak your baby’s name.”
Natalie said that people need to understand that there is hope and that peace can be found, even after such a devastating loss.
“Please know that beauty can come from something so horrible,” she said.
“The Sun Will Rise” can be purchased via Amazon and at Barnes and Noble Booksellers. Copies may be purchased directly from Natalie via Facebook at The Sun Will Rise or visit www. thesunwillrisebook.com.