When yoga instructor Amelia Barnes shared the news of her pregnancy with over 100,000 followers, she had no idea what an impact she would make. Her followers waited eagerly for her first child and enjoyed the bright and beautiful photographs of Amelia’s pregnant yoga.

However, the yoga community was shocked when Amelia posted a photo of her son with a saddening caption about the unexpected complications during delivery. Tragically, Landon’s heart had stopped during the delivery and after an emergency C-Section, he was put on life support and died after three short days. “Before this week, neither of us had ever seen birth before, and neither of us had ever seen death. These things are usually hidden and feared in our society,” Amelia wrote in a caption of a photo of her son, “But Landon taught us not to be afraid of either. That's something people look their whole lives for and never find. So in a way he was our miracle.”

Amelia began posting long, detailed captions on her photos about her healing process. She offers advice to those who know someone that has lost a child. In one post titled “What to Say?” Amelia writes about the importance of not being afraid to bring up the subject. Using Instagram as a journal and outlet, Amelia's following grew, and there was an outpouring of support from the community she created.

What began as a way for Amelia to grieve has now become an open community and support system with many comments on her photos are from mothers who also lost their own children thanking her for showing them that they are not alone. The momentum of her posts sharing all aspects of her healing process has inspired Amelia to create a yoga retreat for mothers who have lost their children called Landon's Healing Legacy and was composed of 21 grieving mothers. Amelia has also began writing a book designed to help grieving parents. Amelia is finding so much positivity from her situation and helping many people in a community that she never imagined herself to be a part of.

Less than a year ago, Amelia announced that she was pregnant with a girl. “I know it's still early and there is so much that could go wrong,” she wrote, “But even if this

baby isn't here with us for long, it is here now. And like every life, however long or short, I feel it has a purpose. And that's what matters.” Last month, her healthy baby Lily was born, named after

the flower of Landon’s birth month. Amelia Barnes is an inspiration to many and has used social media to create a community of power, understanding, and healing. The Instagram community eagerly awaits Amelia’s posts and enjoys viewing photos of Lily and continual support of one another.