in memory.
This is hard to write.
Driving home from this session last fall, I was grinning from ear to ear. I absolutely could not wait to see the moments we had captured on camera. When I actually sat down to flip through the images on the computer, I couldn’t stop. I had to edit the whole set then and there. I was so eager to show mom how vibrant, how positive, how loving, how beautiful her family was (as if she didn’t already know).
Looking at those pictures again now, I would never, never have imagined even for a second that something was so tragically wrong.
A few weeks after their session, I got a call from Stephanie’s sister in tears letting me know that this seemingly healthy, loving, strong father that we see right here had been diagnosed with melanoma. And it didn’t look good.
This is hard to write.
In spite of many pleas and prayers for a full recovery, Dana recently lost his very short battle with cancer.
This family’s faith and courage throughout this whole ordeal humbles me and inspires me and reminds me that nothing is more precious than the time we get to spend with the people we love. Dana was supposed to be treated at the Mary Crowley Cancer Research Center. If you’re so inspired, maybe you could give thanks for the blessings in your life by making a small donation, and in turn, honor the memory of a father and a husband who was very loved and will be very missed.
March 2nd, 20105:05 pm at
My prayers and condolences are with this family…
March 2nd, 20105:35 pm at
Please extend my prayers and the best blessings to this beautiful family.
March 2nd, 20105:43 pm at
This is very sad. He is very young! My thoughts are with his family.
March 2nd, 20105:56 pm at
So sad…my prayers are with this family
March 2nd, 20106:02 pm at
Wow! How tragic! I’ll keep them in my prayers.
March 2nd, 20107:41 pm at
:(
March 2nd, 20107:51 pm at
I hate that we have both had to write similar posts this week. It’s just not fair and I don’t understand his such sad things can happen to such good people. My prayers are with Dana’s family and with you, Michele. Hugs!
March 2nd, 20108:26 pm at
aw that poor family! My heart goes out to them!
March 2nd, 20108:30 pm at
what a remarkably strong woman she must be……..I am certain both she and the three beautiful kids will always cherish the moments you captured for them. May their faith keep them strong
March 2nd, 201010:36 pm at
Poor family! My heart goes out to them. Our family has been touched by cancer as well and its a terrible ordeal, especially for one who was seemingly healthy. I was just thinking today that one of the things I love most about being a photographer is giving the gift of a visual memory for someone to cherish. When a family member passes away the photographs are what many people cling onto the longest as their memento. I am sure his wife will treasure this photo forever.
March 2nd, 201010:44 pm at
Oh Michele…that is terribly sad! My prayers are with the family.
March 2nd, 201011:01 pm at
:( Very sad for that poor family right now. I will be thinking of them alot in coming times..
March 2nd, 201011:06 pm at
I’m absolutely heartbroken for this family. So terribly sad! Just really makes you appreciate every second we have on this earth with our family. And this is another justification of how important your job is Michelle! This family will have these images for a lifetime. And they are PRICELESS! No amount of money would cover these cherished images. My prayers are with this family.
March 3rd, 20102:20 am at
God bless their precious family…
March 3rd, 20104:01 am at
This is too devastatiing for words. I’m heartbroken for this family. There are never enough words. Never. I’m so so sorry…
March 3rd, 20107:27 am at
Very sad news. My heart goes out to this young family. And what a amazing gift you gave them… I looked at the session and WOW! You are incredible and they will have those forever! xx
March 3rd, 20107:53 am at
My prayers go out to this family. What a blessing that they have this session to look back on. God couldn’t have picked their session at a more perfect time.
March 3rd, 20108:56 am at
So sorry for your loss. My prayers are with the family! What a blessing to have such cherished memories of happier times.
March 3rd, 20109:03 am at
oh my goodness! i just went and looked at the session.. you captured so many beautiful, happy, smiling, wonderful memories for them! like someone else said, what a blessing that they have these amazing moments captured on film. i just said a prayer for their family… thank you for sharing their story.
March 3rd, 20109:19 am at
Can’t find the right words…. deepest sympathy to the family. Cancer is such a horrible thing – I pray for the day that a cure will be found. God Bless their family!
March 3rd, 201011:39 am at
Many prayers for the family. Your photos will be cherished much as their loving father.
March 3rd, 20101:23 pm at
Okay, this just makes me weep for this precious family. My prayers are with them. How wonderful for them to have these photographic memories to capture the spirit of their family and their father/husband. Thanks for sharing.
March 3rd, 20108:46 pm at
My thoughts and prayers go out to this family.
March 3rd, 20109:45 pm at
oh Michele, my heart just aches for them…….what a beautiful family.
March 5th, 20107:58 am at
So very sorry for their loss. You can see the love they have for each other in the images you captured. Pictures are so important as we go through the grieving process. I’m glad they have these. Praying for them.
March 5th, 201010:33 am at
My prayers and sincerest condolences go to this family. {{prayers}}
March 5th, 20109:04 pm at
Michele,
I absolutely loved these pics from the time I first saw them on Steph’s Facebook. You captured so well the vitality and energy of this beautiful family. They are all the more meaningful and precious due to the circumstances. You have a gift. These photos of Dana and family will long be treasured by those of us who loved him. Thank you for sharing your gift with us.
God’s blessings,
Tabitha
March 5th, 201010:59 pm at
So so sad. :( Praying for this family. What a wonderful moment in time you captured that they will cherish forever. You are truly gifted at capturing the essence of families!
April 10th, 201010:51 am at
i am a little late reading this post…and oh my….how horrible. my heart aches for them. what a beautiful family. this is pure reassurance of why we take photos: to document and capture the joy in their moments. you absolutely are not guaranteed of another day. my prayers will be lifted up for them, as i know the months to come will be difficult.