Almost one year ago from the time I write this, I stood in my washroom with my mouth hung open. My hand was glued to my cheek in shock. I was holding the evidence that told me of the surprise that would join our family in about 8 and a half months! A few short months later, as the excitement of a new baby was taking hold we would face another shock. My 30 year old husband was diagnosed with Cancer.
Devastation is an understatement. This wasn’t my life. This was my nightmare. I wanted my dreamy life back that had my healthy little family thinking happily of the future as five. Not this. Not to my family! But Jon handled it in a manner true to his character. He was firm in his confidence, unwavering in his faith and brave in his fight.
When our precious daughter, Elizabeth was born we were blessed that Jon was able to be there. He had only a day to spend with her before he had to leave for a few days for his treatment. During this time,Verity, not only a talented photographer but my very good friend, urged me to take photographs. This time was so surreal. I was struggling to simply get through the day, taking an abundance of photographs was not something I was thinking about. She asked if I would allow her to come and capture these early memories.
The paradox of our situation is such that on one hand we had something so wonderful and on the other so terribly hard.
Verity, in her gift for immortalizing the moment was able to capture my family as it was, at this time, despite everything else; beautiful, happy, in love. Strong.
These photographs. So generously gifted to us are images that I treasure. They allow me, when I am feeling overwhelmed with everything life has handed me right now, to remember how blessed I am. How wonderful they are, and what life is truly about.
In the future I will no doubt look back on this year that was, for the most part, a blur and stop, right there in that moment, on that day. When everything was perfect. In tiny eyelashes and toenails. Big brothers falling in love. New parents, more in awe of the miracle of life than ever before.
I cherish those images that can bring me right back to that place.
Thank you Verity. For your gentle nudging. Your loving approach in capturing your newest, tiny subjects and for sharing your gift.
With love and Gratitude,
J
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