09/09/2025
Our NICU Gallery of Hope is a place for families with babies admitted to the NICU to find hope and inspiration in a time when they are uncertain about their baby's health. Some families are not so blessed to bring home their baby. Honoring those babies and families are equally important to us. We hope this addition to the Gallery of Hope speaks to the broken-hearted. The NICU Nurse that painted this canvas is such a special person.... here is her story.
I have been a nurse since 1995 and started in NICU in 1999.
My heart has had a yearning and longing since my twin died at birth. I found fulfillment in the NICU like I was always meant to be here, a divine calling, an answered prayer for me. I started working at Baptist in 2002 when my husband Britt and I were transferred to Memphis for his job. When we moved I was four weeks from delivering our 3rd baby and we showed up at Baptist Women’s Hospital new to the area, no friends, no family. They took us in and made it seamless and simple. They turned the couch around, made a bed for our other two children to sleep on while we delivered our new little one... I knew right away that I wanted to work for Baptist and I have been in the Baptist NICU for 22 years (less 1 year off for the birth of our 4th child).
My love for art and drawing started when I was young. My focus was graphite, but I would often play with other mediums. I started painting when my mom got diagnosed with Cancer. My mom wanted me to paint her a picture for what she was going through… so I designed her the “roots tree” which was a tree hanging from a cliff by deep roots. The tree branches were the shape of a cross and the verse on it was, “Let your roots in Christ hold you up in the storms of life”- Colossians 2:7-9. We made a little website and did local art shows to spend time together.
Little did I know how significant that painting’s verse would be for my faith going forward. I have learned that through the fire your faith can be softened and refined. It was my anchor as I lost my mom and has become my lifeline as I recently lost my husband and my father. I have learned that it is ok to carry grief and joy simultaneously. Grief for the loss of those we love while carrying joy for the life God gives us to carry on in their honor.
So to all who have lost a piece of their heart, who sometimes can’t carry the weight of it all, who feel like screaming when no sound comes out… You are not alone. God is there loving you in the midst of all of your pain and loss, and he knows everyone’s heart intimately. We may not understand this side of heaven, but rest assured God is near to the broken hearted and will make beauty from the ashes.
To appoint to mourners in Zion, "" To give to them beauty instead of ashes, "" The oil of joy instead of mourning, "" A covering of praise for a faded spirit, "" And He is calling to them, Trees of righteousness, "" The planting of YHWH—to be beautified.” Isiah 61:3 Literal Standard Version. ❤️ Misee Lancaster, Nicu RN
