Heirlooms

A note - This post was originally created March 10, 2015, and is being transferred over to the new site September 19th 2026, eleven and a half years later. . . I haven't read many of these since I wrote them. I am not the girl that wrote these words, but I remember her; sometimes I am still trying hard to love her, and forgive her, to thank her, and protect her, to honor her, and all she went through so I could be who I am now. So many people I know have to end their relationships violently, hatefully, with vitriol and meanness. They want to burn the photographs, delete the messages and videos, erase every trace. They feel anger, hurt, and shame. . . and I'm just not sure I'll ever feel that way. Just because something does not last doesn't mean it didn't matter. Who we were, what paths we chose, led us to where we are now. Michael and I went through a lot together in our 25 years. We did hospice care and buried both his father and my grandmother. We grew up together, married and had children together, and experienced all the transition steps from childhood to adulthood together. We laughed until we cried together, and a lot of the time we just cried. He taught me as much through heartache as he did through love. . . and our friendship endured all of it. I will always be grateful for who he helped me become, and while I can not earnestly say that he did not cause me excruciating heartache, I also must say that where I am now is in great part because of him. My children are the best part of my life; my life is happy and peaceful now. I send love often to him, hoping he is finding his happiness, and peace, and love in his life, as I have. I ask for forgiveness for the wounds I caused him, and forgive him for the scars I carry, as they have made me softer, kinder, more capable of empathy and compassion, more appreciative of Love. So you will not find me erasing the past as if it didn't happen or matter; that would be dishonest and disrespectful to who I was and what she went through to survive, and also what joys were hers in that time, even if they weren't meant to carry forward, they did carry me forward. . .

One of my greatest gifts in becoming a photographer has been the collection of friends I now have that are such immensely good hearts, and incredible talents.  It has inspired me professionally and artistically, and has created some of the most important photographs and videos that we now possess; my dear friends Rob and Vanessa were kind enough to lend their team and expertise to capture this beautiful video of Michael surprising the children.  

This is something that will carry value for us long after his career is done, our children are grown, and our time here has ended.  

And so a moment becomes an heirloom.

Watch Here: Homecoming of Purple Heart Recipient to Family