The clock to the five year anniversary of my mom’s death is ticking loudly. Every day that horrible anniversary, May 5th, gets a little bit closer.

I don’t write about losing my mom like I did in those first couple of years when the only way to get my mind to stop thinking was to put the thoughts out for the World.  Writing brought me peace.  Writing helped me heal.  Writing was my prayer.

I’ve learned a lot in these last five years about the human heart and soul.  About grace and patience.  About love.  About myself.  Somewhere along this five year journey to figure out how to live this life without my touchstone, I learned a new form of prayer.   With my camera in hand I have learned to slow down, to see beauty and color again, to take joy in the moments and work through the sadness.

I don’t think it is by chance that I have wandered this road.  From the day I decided to learn my camera, to learn to see the World, to learn to see connections I have been driven by something I can’t quite explain.  But it has brought me to moments that have brought me joy, comfort, and healing.  There are moments I have experienced photographing my clients that have made me feel so connected to my mom.  Whenever I am in the presence of a mom and her newborn I feel something magical.  The forming of that connection between mom and child which time, space and even death can’t break.

But there was something about Julie, her soul and her images that hits me in a way I’ve not experienced before.  There is something about her strength and determination that is so similar to what I saw and admired in my mom.  I feel like so many moments over the last few years lined up just right to bring me to the place and time to capture this moment in her life.  I’m not sure where I stand on the questions of faith, God and Heaven.  But I truly believe there is something that guides me through life, opening up doors, leading me to opportunities and it’s up to me to grab those opportunities, walk through the door and see where it leads.

I am so grateful Julie invited me into her life.    I can’t help but feel that so many little decisions brought us together for this moment.  A moment of healing, for her – and for me.