Inspiration through beauty, through joy and through grief

Since April 20, 2012, I have been in a bit of a grimm mood. I learned that my Granny was about to leave us and it was time for all of the family to say their final good byes. I left my parents house with a heavy heart, thinking about how to process the idea of losing a loved one.

The next day, I woke up with thoughts of my mom and how she always told us that life goes on. And my thoughts turned to Granny knowing what she would say, "Don't mind me, go 'bout your business"

With a heavy heart, I did go about my business. I went on to photograph a charity fashion show hosted by the Blue Roses group. This is truly a fascinating group of girls who have special needs who are taught how to be independent and confident in our everyday world. Along side them are girls who are of the same age that have no needs that help and encourage the girls. It is truly an experience to watch these girls and how they interact with each other!

This fashion show was truly unique for both my husband and I. We have had the privilege to photograph fashion shows with a few local designers here in San Diego. We have worked with many models with great beauty. But the young girls for the charity event showed us true beauty and confidence that we have never seen before!

These girls made themselves shine brightly and they had so much fun! They broke through a lot of their comfort zones and with that made them so much more confident in themselves!

I left this event feeling inspired by their beauty and confidence. It reminded how I need to be for myself.

After this event, I was in a bit of a rush to get to my brother's wedding. He is the youngest and the last sibling to marry. I have to admit it was a lot of mixed emotions! Realizing my brother was a grown man and grew with great wisdom. Good heavens where has the time gone!!!!

Time is never our friend. The world rotates, time flies through and all the while we experience so much. This was my constant thought. Looking around at my family, my children, and in wonderment of the celebration of a beautiful union of my brother and his wife.

When all was calm, Granny passed away. I spent one day with my grief going through my memories of her and what she is to our family. In a moment of clarity, I remembered that I have photos of her from random family gatherings. Then I remembered a special photo I took of her while she was gardening in my parents backyard. She loves her vegetables and was saddened yet amused by the sad small stubby carrots she pulled out of the earth!

There are so many beautiful memories of her. But out of all of her knowledge there are 2 things most important to mention! 1) Family, not matter how big, all is loved equally! (our family is HUGE!)
2) Blackberry cobbler. Thanks Granny for all your cobblers!!! You are loved and will be greatly missed.

And when we think we can take a breath, my other brother and his wife welcomed the arrival of their first son! Elijah Adam! What a beautiful perfect baby he is! I have never seen such a smitten family! It was a beautiul sight to see the love they have for their son. It was the beautiful joy that calmed the storm.

So much has happened, and some of those moments I captured on camera. And in it all, I found inspiration in what I want to be, how I want my art to evolve, and expressing the emotions through it all.

Blue Roses Girls
Photos from Charity Event
In Granny's Hands