utah photographer {michelle, and her 3 kids…one happens to be in heaven}

this is michelle. michelle is one of my best friends. she lost her sweet little james who was just 22 month, 5 years ago in an accident. it’s been a very long, emotional road for her. i have watched her go thru grief, undeniable pain over her loss, guilt, anger, and despair, into a beautiful caring, compassionate and wonderful woman from it. she has no doubt become stronger from her tragedy. i can’t imagine for one second loosing a child. we were completely meant to be friends. it was no mistake our paths crossed.
michelle wanted to do a photo shoot of her and her children and incorporate james into the session. she brought a box with his “life” in it, photos, remembrances, his precious things. also, a blanket she made for him, a photo album of his short but vibrant go at this life, and his bear he loved. as we shot the images of her laying down with his bear, wrapped up tightly in his blanket we could both feel his sweet spirit wash over us. the tears just naturally came to both of us. i don’t think i can express what a precious moment it was. her tears symbolized so much more than sadness and loss, but life and joy after such heartbreak. that it’s possible to be happy again after enduring so much. i hope especially at this time of year we take a moment to be grateful. grateful for all we have, grateful all we perhaps don’t have, and even for those trials that surely creep up on us all. gratitude is a powerful emotion. it can do wonders for our souls.
you can read some her story here where she was published on the time out for women blog this month.
love you michelle! xoxox