I’ve been working on my website for a long time…working hard to get it launched, but being the perfectionist that I am, I wanted everything to be “just-so.” The about me has been in the works, bits-and-pieces at a time, for well over a year. The photo selection process to showcase my portfolio is still not fully complete and I wanted a perfect blog post to accompany the launch; which I didn’t have until now…
"If you don't think photographs are important, wait until they are all you have left" - Missy Mwac
My beloved grandmother, friend and biggest advocate passed away last week…and let me tell you, there is nothing like losing someone you love to make you search every inch of your memory, grasping at each thought of them as a way to find comfort and hold on to them; not wanting those memories to fade even the slightest. How I wish I could recall every conversation, every laugh, every hand-hold, every hug, and all the joy and connection that knitted together our love, relationship and friendship.
I am forever thankful to God for blessing me with such an amazing Nunna and friend. Someone who was filled with selflessness, loyalty, strength and so, SO much love. Now, she is with Jesus, which is joyful, but sorrowful for our family who has said goodbye to the most amazing woman we know. She will forever be in our hearts; but the only tangible piece left of her, of our memories, of our love; of our relationship - are photographs. The photographs that documented her; her joy, her strength, her loyalty, her selflessness; the photographs that documented the relationships she shared with her family; the photographs that continue to provoke joy and remind us of moments passed, the photographs that bring comfort as a reminder that she lived a life FILLED with love & purpose and that she lives now in the presence of Jesus. How grateful I am to have created memories with her and to have the photographs that help keep those memories alive.
I officially launch this website and publish this post as a dedication to her. To the memories we created and the moments that will live on in my heart until we are together again someday in Heaven.
I also launch this website dedicated to you. To your moments, to your memories. Don’t take any of them for granted.
Here’s to past memories and ones that are still to be made,
Ashley T.