Life is filled with difficult and heartbreaking stories that we must share. These stories make us vulnerable, lead us down challenging paths, but ultimately can bring about immense growth. One such story is that of Kyrstyn Johnson…
Kyrstyn Johnson, a mother of two beautiful 3-year-old twin girls from Boise, Idaho, welcomed her daughters Violet Ann and Lilah Nicole into the world on October 10, 2015. Born weighing only four pounds each, the twins spent nearly four weeks in the NICU, a tough experience for any new mother. Despite the challenges, Johnson embraced motherhood and was proud of her “amazing, sassy, and smart” daughters. On August 22, 2017, Johnson gave birth to her third child, a son named Mayson Michael.
“From the moment he came into this world, Mayson was a bright light with the biggest smile on his face all the time. He loved life and learning how to do new things,” Johnson said. “He loved to follow his sisters around the house and see what they were up to. He always wanted to be part of what was going on in the world around him because he loved it so much.”
Johnson, who had faced immense stress with her first two daughters, was relieved that Mayson was healthy and developing well. However, everything changed with one phone call…
On April 16, 2018, Johnson left her son with his father, Trevian Johnson, to go to the DMV with a friend. A call from her mother later that morning revealed the devastating news that Mayson was unresponsive and not breathing. Rushing home, Johnson found her son being taken to the hospital, where she received the heartbreaking confirmation that he was a victim of SIDS.
For months, Johnson struggled to cope with the loss of her only son, seeking counseling and support. Despite the challenges, she found a way to honor Mayson’s memory…
By arranging a “angel baby” photo shoot for Mayson’s first birthday, Johnson not only found a way to commemorate her son but also to educate and end the stigma surrounding infant and pregnancy loss. Through her experience, she hopes to show other bereaved parents that they are not alone.
“After seeing these photos I realized that maybe, just maybe, I can take my experience, educate, and end the stigma of infant and pregnancy loss. To show other bereaved parents they are not alone. Everyone says they are sorry and they are there for you, but time moves so quickly and those people move on. Yet you feel stuck and alone, so very alone.”
Through this tragedy, Johnson has found strength in sharing her story and advocating for kindness and compassion towards others. She refuses to let Mayson be forgotten and encourages others to embrace empathy and support those around them.
“I will not let my son, Mayson, be forgotten, and I will use his name to make a difference in some way. Be kind, you never know what the random stranger next to you is being faced with in life currently, and have compassion. Hug your children tighter and teach them to be kind as well. In the end, we are all fighting our own battles, but we should never suffer alone.”
