27 December 2010
24 December 2010
Muse
Although we lost three friends this month, I can finally say that the clouds are lifting and things are starting to look much cheerier!
Thank goodness.
In my search for happy places, I was brought back to a recent shoot I had for my friend Jora of Domestic Reflections.
She was kind enough to have me stay for the weekend -- where I got to hang out, take photos, and even visit with some other lovely ladies!
Today happens to be Jora's birthday and I must say... I just love her. She's beautiful, sweet, easy-going, brilliant, earthy, has an effortless sense of style, is a wonderful mother and wife, awesome cook, gardener... need I say more?
Over the course of the weekend, we took some fabulous photos of their family, which I will be sharing here and on my photography website. But first we'll start with photos of Jora and her husband.
We only had a short time to shoot with B (he was headed out of town), but I knew I wanted to get some portraits of just the two of them. I think all couples should have professional photos taken at least once or twice a decade, don't you?
{CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS}
And lastly, thank you Jora for being such a great friend and constant inspiration. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! xo
16 December 2010
12 December 2010
Buried
I'm so happy to lay this week to rest. All puns intended, the past few days have been so heavily tinged with death and all of its ugly faces, I've simply been too miserable to write.
What I've heard makes my head ache -- stories about what love does right before and just after death. They are far too painful to repeat. {You don't want them in your memory.} And all that I've loved and lost has swelled to the surface. Every other moment of misfortune I've experienced through others has come to a head.
And just when you think you can't handle anything else... something else goes and dies. A rodent in the wall. {Oh how I wish I were joking.} If you've ever smelled a rotting animal, then you can relate. You tear into those walls, searching by smell... a memory.
The walls, they are full of 2x4's so inter-woven you can't see a thing. Naturally, it's the most complicated, curved part of the house. You start drilling holes, cutting enormous sections, pulling insulation out -- but the picture is as blurry as ever. With every hole you make, the trail of what you think you know seems even further away.
The doorbell goes. Upon answering it, you remarkably smack the door into your forehead. Huge goose egg and headache ensue for days. The wake up call... again.
The telephone rings. #2 is in the hospital with kidney failure. One child is missing, the other is in utter hysterics at the thought of losing his father. {Tonight. Will it be the end?} Your husband rushes to his best friends' side. Momentary stability, but every moment you just lie and wait. The next phone call could be the one.
What I've heard makes my head ache -- stories about what love does right before and just after death. They are far too painful to repeat. {You don't want them in your memory.} And all that I've loved and lost has swelled to the surface. Every other moment of misfortune I've experienced through others has come to a head.
It was like the universe was shaking a stick at me. "WAKE UP, you."
✶
We're all sick. Tired. Down.And just when you think you can't handle anything else... something else goes and dies. A rodent in the wall. {Oh how I wish I were joking.} If you've ever smelled a rotting animal, then you can relate. You tear into those walls, searching by smell... a memory.
The walls, they are full of 2x4's so inter-woven you can't see a thing. Naturally, it's the most complicated, curved part of the house. You start drilling holes, cutting enormous sections, pulling insulation out -- but the picture is as blurry as ever. With every hole you make, the trail of what you think you know seems even further away.
It becomes a metaphor for all the other moments where you ransack to the point of wanting to tear the whole world apart.
In the end, you are forced to live with the stench of defeat.
✶
✶
I'm not sure Fairness has ever existed. She's a myth, like every other goddess.
I always sucked at logic.
06 December 2010
The only news I know
I had a different post in mind for today, one about the trip we just took to Washington... but then we got a telephone call about an hour ago telling us that one of our dear friends had just passed away.
Theresa had been suffering from Breast Cancer that had spread to her brain, bones and lungs. She left behind two daughters (The Mutes) and my husband's best friend, Simon -- not to mention countless other friends and family members. She was kind, generous, thoughtful, brave, and she always put others first. Now, I'm even sadder we didn't get back to England this year, just so we could see her one last time.
My heart is so heavy right now. We have two other friends that are currently struggling for their lives, both with only weeks to live. Although death never comes at a good time, losing someone over the holidays seems particularly cruel.
I've watched cancer (and disease) take my own family and many others on the most horrific, gut-wrenching rides. It's as though the whole world stops for a moment and you are sucked into a nightmare. So, as grief runs its course, I am naturally reminded that life is short.
Theresa was only 46.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY. This should be your number one task in life. Treat it with respect. Feed your body and soul well - they are interconnected. Stop putting garbage in your mouth! Be active. Give gratitude for all that it does, big and small. Combat stress and slow down. (I need to be reminded of this daily!) Lose that weight, whether it's physical or emotional. Without your body, you have nothing. It's as simple as that. Don't take it for granted.
DO NOT IGNORE SYMPTOMS. Be proactive and take preventative measures. Our dear friend, Layne, was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer this past year. It was caused by untreated and ignored Acid Reflux. (He has been given 2 weeks to live, is 44, has 5 children, a business and a wife.) My grandmother would not have had a stroke had she gone to the doctor for the leg pain (blood clot) she'd been experiencing. Pay attention to your body and what it is telling you. Don't mask problems with drugs. I know things can happen without warning, but more often than not, there are signs when something isn't right. Part of taking care of your body is LISTENING to it.
STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF. This is easier said than done, right? We all complain about life's little grievances, but the fact of the matter is, most of us have it pretty good. These three families lives have been turned upside down and inside out while dealing with their health nightmares. Next time you are stressed about the daily minutiae, take a moment to breathe and be grateful for all of the good things that you have - because it could all go away tomorrow.
R.I.P., Theresa. We will miss you terribly! xo
Theresa had been suffering from Breast Cancer that had spread to her brain, bones and lungs. She left behind two daughters (The Mutes) and my husband's best friend, Simon -- not to mention countless other friends and family members. She was kind, generous, thoughtful, brave, and she always put others first. Now, I'm even sadder we didn't get back to England this year, just so we could see her one last time.
My heart is so heavy right now. We have two other friends that are currently struggling for their lives, both with only weeks to live. Although death never comes at a good time, losing someone over the holidays seems particularly cruel.
I've watched cancer (and disease) take my own family and many others on the most horrific, gut-wrenching rides. It's as though the whole world stops for a moment and you are sucked into a nightmare. So, as grief runs its course, I am naturally reminded that life is short.
Theresa was only 46.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY. This should be your number one task in life. Treat it with respect. Feed your body and soul well - they are interconnected. Stop putting garbage in your mouth! Be active. Give gratitude for all that it does, big and small. Combat stress and slow down. (I need to be reminded of this daily!) Lose that weight, whether it's physical or emotional. Without your body, you have nothing. It's as simple as that. Don't take it for granted.
DO NOT IGNORE SYMPTOMS. Be proactive and take preventative measures. Our dear friend, Layne, was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer this past year. It was caused by untreated and ignored Acid Reflux. (He has been given 2 weeks to live, is 44, has 5 children, a business and a wife.) My grandmother would not have had a stroke had she gone to the doctor for the leg pain (blood clot) she'd been experiencing. Pay attention to your body and what it is telling you. Don't mask problems with drugs. I know things can happen without warning, but more often than not, there are signs when something isn't right. Part of taking care of your body is LISTENING to it.
STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF. This is easier said than done, right? We all complain about life's little grievances, but the fact of the matter is, most of us have it pretty good. These three families lives have been turned upside down and inside out while dealing with their health nightmares. Next time you are stressed about the daily minutiae, take a moment to breathe and be grateful for all of the good things that you have - because it could all go away tomorrow.
R.I.P., Theresa. We will miss you terribly! xo
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