My family is trying to navigate through a tragedy.  

We're all doing the best we can, each of us in our own way.

You know what I mean; none of us gets to a certain age in this life

without a personal tragedy of some sorts. We've all wandered lost & afraid

through these periods, and hopefully have found some sort of peace and

understanding and wisdom through the process.  

As a photographer, I guess it isn't surprising that I "process" 

my emotions while editing and retouching images.  It is SUCH a blessing to me

that my family and I agreed on some quick "mini sessions" while we gathered

at my sister's for an early dinner that night I flew back to Danville.  

These portraits may not be "ART" (all in caps), but they are love to me.  

bkgd:  I flew from my home in Danville California to be with my family in Minneapolis

when I was told my neice Lori had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  

Her mother, Wendy, had suffered through cancer throughout her adult life.

Lori and brothers Blaine & Jeremy had watched their mother suffer for years.

Well, now Lori and her husand John were told Lori had @ 6 months to live ....   

The day before my flight to Mpls, I had the joy of talking with Lori on the phone.  

She was chatty (which is VERY unusual for her);

husband John was out buying a truck.  

They had JUST moved to Minneapolis from San Diego to be with family.  

It was important to Lori that her daughter Melody (5 yrs) grow up with family nearby.  

 This decision was made, of course, before anyone knew of Lori's cancer diagnosis.

So anyway, they needed a truck :)   to deal with the snow :)   

We must have talked for 30 minutes.   I let her lead the conversation mostly; i just responded.  

I remember telling her how much I wanted to see her, and that maybe she should start a journal for Mellie

... and that she has to put aside her camera-shyness for a while, because I was bringing my camera.

I thought Mellie would want to have pictures of her with her mother, and Lori agreed.  

We cried a little.  We talked about faith, too ...  I told her I was hoping to point the way to Jesus' Kingdom.  

She said she'd like that; that she'd always admired my faith.

I told her a bit more about what He has done for me, how He is with me always, etc...  

She surprised the heck out of me when she said, "nic, I'd like you to baptize me, John & Mellie"

I laughed and said, "have you talked with John about this?"   then we both laughed

as I said, "oh, he'll do whatever you want right now" and I told her it will be an absolute honor. 

   Well, she died while I was in flight.

Apparently an existing blood clot in her leg burst that morning as she and John were preparing to

go to the hospital; John called an ambulance & they stabilized her, but she died en route. 

We are all glad that she didn't suffer long, that Mellie didn't have to watch her mother decline.  Still, the hole

she left behind is huge.  Lori was full of light, acceptance, wisdom, joy.  She had a sharp intellect & a fun loving

curiosity about all things life.  She, Mellie & John enjoyed ant farms, the zoo, Disneyland, and all living critters together.

they loved LIFE together.  

  I spent the week loving on John & Melody as good aunties do, going to Costco for food, Trader Joes for tulips, the crematorium,

etc. etc. etc.  

Spent good time with my sisters ... my mother ... my family.   We did what families do.  We loved each other, cried with each

other, and even laughed with each other.  We ate together.  A lot.  

Here are some of my favorites from our protrait night.

  Love your family, all & hire a photographer         :)   Oh.  & don't worry about Lori; she's in paradise.