Kyrstyn Johnson always dreamed of adventure, travel, and exploring the world. But life had a different path in store — one that would bring her unimaginable joy and later, unbearable pain.

In October 2015, Kyrstyn became a mother for the first time, welcoming twin daughters, Violet Ann and Lilah Nicole. Born prematurely at just 4 pounds each, the girls spent over three weeks in the NICU. The experience left Kyrstyn deeply aware of the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). She spent those early months anxious and sleepless, watching over her tiny newborns.

Despite the rough start, her daughters grew into strong, spirited toddlers. Life was moving in a beautiful direction.

Just over a year later, on August 22, 2017, Kyrstyn gave birth to her third child, a son named Mayson Michael. After 15 grueling hours of labor, he entered the world healthy and radiant — her little sunshine.

Mayson was thriving. He hit every milestone early, babbled “mama,” and brought boundless joy to the family. There was never a single health concern. But then, everything changed in a moment.

Four days before his 8-month birthday, Mayson suddenly stopped breathing during a nap. Despite efforts from first responders and hospital staff, he could not be revived. Kyrstyn rushed to the emergency room, only to be met with the words no parent should ever hear: “I’m sorry.”

That day — April 16, 2018 — shattered Kyrstyn’s world.

She recalls holding her son one final time, his little body cold in her arms. “You never appreciate the feeling of someone warm next to you,” she said, “until they aren’t warm anymore.” She clung to him, wrapping him in blankets, trying to give him the warmth that had already left. When it came time to let him go, she couldn’t hand him over. The coroner had to take him from her arms.

The loss left Kyrstyn in a spiral of grief, trauma, and depression. “My mental health took the hardest hit,” she admits. She was hospitalized, took a leave of absence from work, and struggled to find a reason to get out of bed. But even in her darkest moments, she knew she had to keep going — for her daughters.

In the midst of her pain, Kyrstyn found a way to honor Mayson. He didn’t get to celebrate his first birthday, but she made sure it would still be recognized. After reaching out to several photographers, she connected with Megan Nutter of Lil’ Lemon Photography, who agreed to do a special “angel baby” birthday photoshoot. It was a turning point.

Through her grief, Kyrstyn has made it her mission to raise awareness about SIDS — a silent, devastating condition that remains largely unexplained. SIDS is the leading cause of death among babies between one month and one year old. It can strike healthy infants with no warning, leaving families heartbroken and searching for answers.

There are steps parents can take to reduce risk:

• Always place babies on their backs to sleep.

• Use a firm, flat sleep surface without soft bedding, pillows, or toys.

• Share a room, but not a bed, with your baby.

• Avoid overheating and exposure to smoke.

But even with precautions, SIDS can still occur — and it doesn’t discriminate.

Kyrstyn urges others to speak openly about pregnancy and infant loss. “You never think it will happen to you,” she says. “But we need to talk about it. It’s hard. It’s uncomfortable. But these conversations can save lives.”

She also reminds others how important it is to show up for grieving parents. “Check on them. Call them. Attend memorials. Say their child’s name. We’re not as strong as we look — we just had no choice. And we don’t want our children to be forgotten.”

Mayson’s story is a powerful reminder of how fragile life can be. But his legacy lives on through his mother’s strength and determination to make a difference.

Please keep families who’ve lost a child to SIDS in your thoughts. Share this story to help raise awareness. The more we talk, the more lives we may be able to save.