Tanya and Adam Wed- Ottawa Valley Photographers

Intimate ceremonies always touch our hearts!

Tanya and Adam were wed at Tanya’s Father’s home in Killaloe. The couple shared their vows and a sand ceremony with their family and friends. The waterfront property is GORGEOUS! The ceremony finished with a BANG as the couple set off a cannon that is on display at the home. Most of the formal pictures were done on this property and a few followed at the reception venue. We were happy to share in their day and Wish this couple a great future!

Vendor Love:

Hair: Trends Salon in Barry’s Bay

Bride’s Dress: Sinders

Bridesmaid’s dresses: Katherine Mullen Bridal

Suits: Moore’s clothing

Flowers: Killaloe Flowers

Decor: Ursula Jeffreys, Marie Dombroskie

Tent and Chairs: Valley Tent and Party Rentals

Caterer: Daryl Schroeder

DJ: Red Rock Music (Cam Gavin)

Katrinna and Ian’s Rustic Outdoor Wedding- Ottawa Valley Photographers

Katrinna and Ian are a perfect match! From their love of the outdoors, hunting, and fishing, to their absolute LOVE for one another, it is just so clear they are meant to be! They light up when they look at eachother and  share the same sense of humor.  Their Wedding took place along the Indian river and was breathtakingly serene. The ceremony was such a celebration of who they are as a couple.

The formal portraits were done at the Wedding venue (owned by Valley Tent and Party Rentals) and at a few other locations surrounding the area. Katrinna had found a perfect spot down some old train tracks that had a rustic old bridge . We were lucky enough to knock on the door of a resident in the area that hosted a waterfront property with a dock and a bridge near by. There was also a beautiful trail used for hiking and four-wheeling. All of the locations suited this couple and their super fun wedding party perfectly. We even got the couple in a passerby’s quad! How fun is that!

We wish Katrinna and Ian much Joy together in the future. Congrats Again Guys!

 

Vendor Love:

Officiant: Janice Epp

Venue: Owned by Valley Tent and Party Rentals

Hair: Hair Affairs by Ashley May-Paul

Make up: Natasha Lynn Beauty Services

Bride’s Dress: With Love Beauty Boutique in Kanata

Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal

Flowers: Gerbers Nursery, Hand Picked Wild Flower’s by Bride and Bridesmaids, Assembled by Mother of the Groom

Suits: Frasers

Rings: Peoples Jewellers

Caterer: Valley Tent and Party Rentals, Joe’s Family Pizzeria for late lunch

Cake: Aimy Andrews

DJ: Ottawa Valley DJ

Genevieve and Mark Tie the Knot- Oaks of Cobden Golf Course-Ottawa Valley Photographers

Genevieve and Mark were Wed at the Oaks of Cobden Golf Course. It was a stunning location for the wedding to take place. In the hours leading up to the union the sky looked very dark. The chance of rain looked ever so likely. However, about 30 minutes before the ceremony, the sun came out! The outdoor ceremony took place in front of a beautifully staged arch that the Groom made himself. There was a sand ceremony to symbolize the union of this couple.

The formal pictures were taken on the golf course and at two farm locations near by. It was humid, but the couple and their wedding party carried on with smiles and laughter! The Wedding Party incorporated the couple’s best friends and family. We had so much fun with this Group! We were honored to be part of this special day. We know Gen and Mark’s future in love will be bright.

Congrats again to this Happy Couple!

 

Vendor Love:

Venue: Oaks Of Cobden Golf Course

Hair: Heidi Clarke

Make Up: Briana Kauffeldt … Makeup Artist and Esthetics

Flowers: The Flower Factory

Reception Venue: Cobden Agricultural Hall

Decor: Margaret Phillips from Creative Perspectives

Videographer: Dan Kirkness from Video Keepsakes

Caterer: Dreams Catering

DJ: Chris Cooper

Wedding Planner: Sarah Jane Leta Neadow from SJL Events

Cancer survivor contest winner! – Ottawa Valley Photographers

Since Lisa and I have both lost our Mothers to Cancer in the last few years we decided that we needed to do something to honor their lives.  We came up with a yearly contest for a free Photo Session. We asked that people nominate someone living with Cancer or a Survivor. This year was our first year and 22 people were nominated. I wrote out each name nominated by hand and put it into in a bowl. My son was excited to pick a name…

The winner is… Tristan … a 7 year old boy who survived! He is energetic, funny, and full of Joy!  What a blessing it was to work with him and his blended family. I asked his mom to give me a bit of a timeline of his journey and she replied “He was diagnosed in April 2013 (when he was 5) with stage 3 kidney cancer (Wilms tumour) and had his right kidney removed shortly after. He had radiation for a week and chemo until October 2013. He did amazingly well all through his treatments and all his scans have been clear since then.”

We wish Tristan and this family a lifetime full of great health and happiness.

 

Crystal and John ‘s Intimate Beach Wedding- Ottawa Valley Photographers

Crystal and John are such a wonderful couple. Their relationship highlights respect and kindness so well. During their engagement photos we noticed how attentive John was, and how sincere they were to one another. The other thing we loved about this couple is that their union is so family centered.

Crystal and John were wed at The Sands on Golden Lake. The officiant, Julie Keon, was so personal and centered the ceremony around this couple and their families. She included how they met and other different stories unique to the couple. She revealed that these two were a suggested match by a personal friend Andrew and after many texts and phone conversations the couple had their first date. She highlighted the many ways that this couple’s love was simply meant to be! Crystal and John’s marriage brings together two families. The Wedding party consisted of their children and a grandchild. Each person took a turn holding the couple’s rings in their hands before John and Crystal offered them to one another. As a symbol of their union, and the blending of two families, they also included a sand ceremony.  John’s Brother Tommy and his wife Pauline signed the registry.

The formal photo’s were taken both at the beach and across the road in a beautiful field also owned by the Sands. The sun was out and the sky was just gorgeous: Blue sky with the perfect amount of cloud coverage!

To Crystal and John: We were certainly honored to capture this day on camera! WE know your future holds much more LOVE, LIGHT, and JOY! Congrats!

 

As an added touch we are going to include a few excerpts from the couple’s vows to one another. We thank John’s Daughter Ashley for sending them our way.

Crystal: “My John, since the moment we met, I knew you were the one. I fell in love with your heart, your soul and your smile. I adore that you not only have deep love for your family but for mine as well. Not only have we found love but we have found trust, compassion and deep friendship. I love “us” and the way we live our lives with endless laughter…. I will trust you and honour you. I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst. I will always be there as I have given you my hand to hold so I give you my life to keep. ”

John:  “Crystal, I want you to know that when you came into my life it felt as if the sun had suddenly appeared from an eclipse. I could see clearer and the love you showered on me made me realize you are the one. You are so compassionate, caring and thoughtful. I feel blessed to have met you and humble to be standing with you here and now…You are all good things to me. I promise you my undying affection, support, respect and admiration. I promise you that I will lift you up, as you have lifted me. I promise that I will do my best and always try. May my heart be your shelter and my arms be your home.”

Vendor Love:

Make up: Just Add Makeup Studio – J.a.m studio

Officiant: Julie Keon

Location: Sands on Golden Lake

Highschool Sweethearts On Their Wedding Day – Ottawa Valley Photographers

Kaitlin and Jonathan met in High school and have been together for 13 Years. Their Engagement was 7 years long. However, after being with these two for only a few moments, it was as though they were still two young kids in love. The sparkle in Jonny’s eye when he looks at her is a clear sign of the love these two share. We have worked with this couple since last fall when we did their save the date pictures, and we had another chance this spring when we captured their Engagement session.

The Wedding Day was beautiful with clear skies and plenty of heat.  The couple was Married at The First Presbyterian Church In Pembroke Ontario. Formal Pictures were taken at a private residence in Rankin. The location offered beautiful rock cuts, trees, and fields. The Dinner and reception Followed at the Rankin Recreational Center. Where the Wedding Party, family, and many friends danced the night away.

Throughout the entire day these two never stopped smiling. Their Love was so radiant. The wedding Party was a great team and so much fun! Thanks for letting us be part of this milestone in your lives Kaitlin and Jonny! We wish you all the best in the future.

Vendor Love:

Hair: Chelsea Laporte

Make Up: Just Add Makeup: J.a.m studios

Dress and Bridesmaid’s dresses: Sinders Bridal House

Flowers: Kevin’s Flowers

Suits: Frasers

Shoes: Spring

Bride’s Ring and Necklace (Given by the Groom): Mappins Fine Jewellers

Groom’s Ring: Peoples Jewellers

Decor: Margaret Phillips

Videographer: Dan Kirkness – Video Keepsakes

Caterer: Good Enuf To Eat

Cake: Laura’s Sweet Themes

DJ: 2 Mics Mobile DJ Service

A Growing Family- Ottawa Valley Photographers

In July we had the privilege of capturing some family photos of the “S” Family. After being able to capture both their Engagement and Wedding Photos , it was great to be a part of their first family photos. We absolutely adored Baby K and saw a clear extension of their love in him. The photos were taken on a very hot, sunny day at a local farm in Eganville Ontario. There wasn’t much shade to be found but that did not stop us nor this amazing family!  We are very happy for this couple and their little man and we wish them much happiness as they watch him grow. We have included a few pictures of this families journey with us below. Thanks you for letting us be a part of your special moments together!

Sara and Jason’s Poolside Wedding

Sara and Jason are such a special Couple. They joined together with their closest family and friends around a beautiful pool side in Eganville Ontario. The Pool and stunning Tiki Bar area was located in a friends yard (Otherwise known as “Punta Canada”).  It was a gorgeous sunny day with plenty of heat. The Bride walked down the aisle with both of her parents at her side. Sara’s daughters were part of the wedding party. After the couples vows were read Jason had a surprise for the girls. Not only did he have vows and a ring for Sara, but also for them.

His vows:

“I know I wasn’t there for the first steps that you took, but I promise that from this day forward I will love and support you…”

The details of this wedding were centered around this great couple’s Love. Sara and Jason, with the help of the girls, even made their wedding cake from scratch. Formal pictures were taken just down the road at a huntcamp location with fields, rustic buildings, and even an old bus stop! LUCKY US…. the photo ops were endless!

Thank you for letting us share your special day with you… We wish Sara, Jason, the girls, and the new little bundle (coming this year) the best future possible.

 

Vendors:

Hair: Signature Styles by Tia

Make Up: Chantal Smith – Beauty Secrets

Dress: David’s Bridal – Florida

Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal – Ottawa

Flowers: Handmade by Mother of the Bride

Men’s wear: Express

Rings: People’s Jewellers

Wedding Favors: Antique Key Bottle Openers- The Wedding Shop

Caterer: Leather Works

Wedding Cake: Made with Love buy Sara, Raya and Alyssa, lovingly supervised by Jason.

Jackson Family has a new addition!

It continues to amaze me that we are so blessed to do this amazing job…and share so many wonderful experiences with our clients!  Last year Jenn and I had the pleasure of sharing a very special wedding with Amanda and Brody

Congratulations Amanda and Brody on the newest addition to the family, he is beyond adorable!

Katrinna and Ian’s Couple Session – Ottawa Valley Photography

Katrinna and Ian are a couple that love the outdoors. On a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, we headed to their home on a beautiful property in Golden Lake Ontario. It is often referred to as the “back farm”. The property offers heavily wooded areas, fields, trees, rustic barns, and even a stunning pond. Such a  Beautiful piece of land and perfect for this couple’s photos. The bugs were out in full force but it did not stop Kat and Ian from letting us capture their intimate moments on camera.

Our second location was another piece of family waterfront property just a few minutes away.  We captured the couple in their Canoe and on the dock at waterfront.

You can see the LOVE and PASSION between these two so easily! We are very excited to capture their special day in late August. It is going to be such a FUN wedding!

Crystal + John’s Covered Bridge Engagement – Ottawa Valley Photographers

On a slightly overcast afternoon, we met Crystal and John at the Covered Bridge Park.  The park is located between Round Lake and Golden Lake and is an absolutely gorgeous property with two covered bridges and lovely waterfront along the Bonnechere River.  Gorgeous fields and treed areas made for so many perfect areas for photographs.

Crystal and John are a wonderful couple and we could truly feel the love between them.  We are looking forward to their August wedding!

Location: Covered Bridge Park and Campground

Make-Up: Just Add Make-Up Studio

Kaitlin & Johnny Engagement – Ottawa Valley Photography

Kaitlin and Johnny are high school sweethearts and they are getting married in July!   Last October Jenn took them out to a friend’s farm to capture some “Save the Date” photographs to help announce their upcoming wedding.  It was a chilly day and they had to contend with the season’s first snow fall but I think they had a great time.  Our Friend L’s farm is a great setting and offers us rustic barns and wood fences and an overall relaxed feeling.

We decided on a fields and flowers feel for the rest of the engagement session that we did this spring.  We are really looking forward to Kaitlin and Johnny’s wedding.  These two are so in love and just so sweet, we can’t wait until July!

Celebrate Our River – The Bonnechere- June 6 2015

On Saturday June 6th Jenn and I had the pleasure of celebrating our beautiful Bonnechere River!

I participate in a mass paddle from Wilber Lake to Eganville, and Jenn was waiting on shore to capture some great photos of the group as we arrived back and of all the events on shore.  The event was organized by Mark Jones and he did a tremendous job organizing such a great day!

After registering in the morning canoes and kayaks were transport to Wilber Lake, Paddlers boarded the bus at the Eganville Arena where the paddlers met to start our day.  The group outing was blessed with a few words and song by Mr. Ross and then it was time to take to the water.  According to Mr. Jones this was the best attended paddle to date.

Jean Brereton`s Drumming Circle greeted the paddlers as they arrived back at the public beach in Eganville.  Once on shore everyone was able to enjoy some great local music and some fresh, locally produced food was available from the Ottawa Valley Food Co-operative.

There are several more Celebrate Our River Events and Paddles planned for spring and summer 2015.

Sat. June 13, 9:30am – Renfrew to Ottawa River Paddle and Clean up – $10. Organized by BRWP and the Ottawa River Institute. Rendezvous: Renfrew wastewater treatment plant. Register by email to: info@bonnechereriver.ca

Sat. June 20, 9:00am – Round Lake to Golden Lake Paddle – $10. Organized by BRWP and the Ottawa River Institute. Rendezvous: End of John Foy Lane. Register by email to: info@ottawariverinstitute.caSaturday June 27 – 10am

Sat. June 27, 8:30am registration. 9:30 departure -Sand Point to Red Pine Bay Paddle as part of Ottawa Riverfest, Braeside. $10. Rendezvous: Red Pine Bay. Drop off canoes/kayaks in advance at Sand Point Wharf.

Register by email to: recreation@mcnabbraeside.com

JULY 2015

Sat. July 18 – 1pm -Eganville to Fourth Chute Paddle/ Fiddle/Music – $10. Followed by Bonnechere Caves BBQ ($5) and Music ($10). Organized by BRWP, Bonnechere Caves. Rendezvous: Bonnechere Caves. Register: info@bonnechereriver.ca

AUGUST 2015

Sat. Aug. 8, 1pm – Madawaska River- Cherry Point Park to Burnstown Beach Paddle– $10. Optional BBQ to follow at Neat Coffee Shop ($12). Organized by BRWP and MacNab Braeside Township. Rendezvous: Burnstown Beach.

Register: recreation@mcnabbraeside.com

If you would like more information please visit the website: http://www.bonnechereriver.ca/brwp-events.

Spring Flowers in Eganville

Enjoying the beauty of the spring flowers during a walk around town.

Hike for Hospice 2015

We have not been keeping up with our blogs but hopefully this year we will get back on track.  We are still trying to get back to ourselves and I put off writing this blog because I really had trouble writing anything with out tears.  So here goes….Back in May our family came together and did the Annual Hike for Hospice for Hospice Renfrew.  This is the second year we have participated and together our family with the help of the community and our friends Nanny’s Ninja’s raised close to $3000.00 in memory of Sharon.  Thank you for all you help.

Unlike last year, this year we had beautiful weather.  We had a warm sunny day and Evy and Gracie enjoyed getting their faces painted before we started the hike.

Gracie got a lift for the entire hike, and Evy did a great job and hike the whole way himself!

Everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather and the hike through the beautiful trail in Renfrew.

All together it was a very successful Hike for Hospice.  We will see you next year!

A 2014 Review

Hello Everyone, It is Lisa here with a recap of 2014.  We have not be blogging as much as we usually do and maybe a quick recap might help you all understand why.

2014 was one of the worst years of my life personally, We lost my wonderful mother-in-law (Jenn’s Mom) in January after a short but amazing battle with cancer, and we knew this year was going to be hard.  Sharon was the foundation of this family and her loss is felt every single day.  She was one of the most amazing selfless, hard working, loving woman I have ever had the privilege of knowing, but I didn’t just know her to me she was a second mom.

In February my Papa Valmond passed away and with the emotion still raw from Sharon’s passing and my own Mama not well enough to attend the funeral with us it was another difficult day.  I have so many fond memories of summers with my Papa and visiting Camp Robin Hood.  Papa taught me how to use a CB Radio when we would drive together, and our summers on Lake Simcoe and our walks to the Soviet Union. (It was actually a Salvation Army Camp down the road that when I was small I called the Soviet Union) It is difficult to say goodbye even when you know someone has not been well for so long, and the distance of miles make for a lot of guilt that I should have visited more often but now can not.

We then watched as my own Mom’s health declined once we were told we had exhausted all treatment options and there was nothing else they could do. Her 18 year battle with Cancer would soon be coming to an end.  You might think that when you expect it, it is easier but I disagree, it isn’t. I was truly blessed to have such strong, loving women in my life and to have lost them both was devastating. I still cry often and feel like I can not breath sometimes as the pain is overwhelming.  It sometimes feels very lonely not having my Mama to ask advice, or call with good news and sometimes, I have even forgotten and called my mom or Sharon to ask them a question and it is not until I have dialed the phone that I remember…and then cry.

You would think that would be as much loss as our family could handle but unfortunately we had to stand by as Jenn’s beautiful Granny lost her battle with cancer as well. Granny was also an amazing woman, I am proud to have know her and loved her and been part of her family, our son is named after her beloved Carson and I will always remember the way she teared up with pride when we told her we were having a boy and he would be named after Carson. She loved her grand children and great grandchildren very much the way only a Granny can. We miss her very much. I can’t imagine having to face the last year with out the one person who is my rock, my strength and my best friend my dear husband. Robert I could not have made it through without you, so thank you for being there and dealing with my crazy without complaining. I love you more than words!

In just one short year the entire dynamic of our family has changed, so you can see why I am personally glad to say goodbye to 2014…however professionally for Jenn and I 2014 was a very successful year at Special Treasures Photography and we had some amazing clients who not only let us be apart of their special days, and life events they made us feel like we were part of their families. Thank you for blessing us with so much success that we can continue to do what we love.

To Jenn, you have been my friend and more important my sister when I need one the most, thank you for everything you have done and the things you don’t even realize you do but I know I can always count on you! Yes Keith it is me on the phone…thanks for letting me have my sister when I needed her.  I am so blessed to not only do a job that I love but to share every step with you!

I hope that 2015 brings a much better year for my family especially my children who have been through so very much but have handled it amazingly…Darcey, Brooke and Carson, I am so very proud of you all.

To my other sister and brother-in-law, Jackie and Steve, thank you being there through this crazy year, I can’t imagine how much worse it would have been without the amazing family that surrounds us so thank you for being amazing.

Happy New Year Everyone, I hope you are all blessed in 2015!

Mary And Kevin’s Wedding On The Hill…

Mary and Kevin said their vows on August 9, 2014 at one of our favorite locations: St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wilno, Ontario. It was a Gorgeous day that marked the beginning of this couple’s future. Their family and friends came together to celebrate this couple, travelling from near and very FAR! It was great to see how much love this couple had for one another.  We wish them the best future and are happy we could take part in capturing their day. We have included some of the photos from their wedding below. below. 

A Special Wedding Day For a Beautiful Couple…

Laura and Travis were an absolute delight to be around, and their special day was such a testament to the Love that they share.

We started off by capturing all of the details of the Bride and her girls getting ready at Brown’s Salon and the Bancroft Inn & Suites to follow. Then we headed to the ceremony at St. Paul’s Church. The sweetest little white church we may have ever seen. The couple shared their vows in a very intimate ceremony and marked their union with a sand ceremony as well. It was Beautiful.

It was scorching hot but the breeze was definitely a great addition to the day. After the ceremony the couple and the wedding party stopped at the Bancroft Eatery & Brew Pub  for a drink before we headed on to our formal location at the park. We ended formals and started the dinner and reception at the River’s Edge Golf Course.

We wish this couple the absolute best future together and had a great time being a part of their day. Congrats again!

    

Hiking for Hospice… Hiking for Mom…

Our family had the chance to give back to Hospice in a very big way! As many know, our mother/mother-in-law spent her last few months on earth in Hospice Renfrew. It truly is a home away from home. The staff and volunteers make everyday, no matter how hard or discouraging, a blessing for and with your dying loved one. It gave our family a chance to spend all of the quality time we could with mom (Sharon). It equally allowed mom the chance to have the respect and dignity she so deserved through the end of her disease and exhausting battle.  We were so honoured to be hiking for hospice, and very grateful to all of those who supported our team. On May 4th we took the hike for hospice and as a team raised  over 2,800 dollars. The entire event raised 65,000 dollars. Our team’s name was Nanny’s Ninjas, as mom so loved her grandkids. It was a rainy, windy, cool day but that did not stop anyone. We walked the 3km millennium trail in Renfrew On. Here are a collection of photos taken inside before and after the hike. If anyone is in need of end of life care Hospice Renfrew is an absolute blessing and I truly believe it is a little bit of heaven on earth. We look forward to hiking every year at this event in memory of Mom (Sharon).

Where have you been? Are you OK?

We have gotten these questions from our wonderful clients who have been concerned that we seem to have disappeared.

On behalf of Jenn and myself, we are sorry;  we are still here but recently needed to take some time to be with family.  For those who do not know Jenn and I are sister-in-laws (I am married to her brother Rob) Last summer Jenn’s mom Sharon was diagnosed with cancer.  When they found the cancer we were optimistic and tried be as positive as possible.  As the results from the first CT scan came back we knew very quickly this was going to be a difficult fight.  Cancer Sucks.  It just does.  There is nothing good I can say about cancer.  Some people will tell us it can make you strong, or bring your family closer, but I can assure you cancer does none of these things, Sharon was strong before she got cancer, our family was close before Sharon got cancer.  It is so difficult to write this as I can feel the tears welling up.  Jenn and I decided that family was a priority, we took a small step back from our photography and only took a few bookings as we did not know what to expect.

On January 15 2014 Sharon lost her battle with cancer.

It has truly been the most difficult loss we have ever experienced and we just needed some time.

We can not thank our clients enough for their patience, understanding, support and sticking with us during this time.  We are truly blessed and now we have an angel to watch over us.  We also would like to thank the staff and volunteers at Hospice Renfrew who cared for Sharon and for our entire family.

Jenn wrote the following and had posted it on her Facebook page, I thought it best captured the love, the strength and the loss we have all been experiencing.

Heavy on my heart were these words tonight ! Love you momma

In the last months of your life I held your hand and told you that everything would be alright
I prayed for and with you…
I prepared my heart for the worst but hoped for the best
I spent as much time as I could with you
I didn’t want to have any regrets if this indeed was the beginning of the end of your life here on earth

In the l…ast weeks of your life
I helped you take care of yourself
Maintaining dignity and respect
I read you your favorite bible verses
We talked about all of the life you had lived
Sometimes I just sat and watched you sleep …
Sometimes I just sat in silence while you told me all you had too.
Often I busied my hands to help you however I could,
I learned lessons, I gained the new ability to “hide” my own pain from you.
I know you must have saw through it…
but for both of us..
You did not acknowledge it..
We had to carry on!

I feel like I really found out what kind of a mother you had been all of those years… A gentle , helpful, selfless one..
And In the routine … Our roles changed so very much.
You taught me how to stand on my own two feet… And how to care in a way I could not have even imagined.
I know now it was the way that you cared for everyone…
I lost the ability to pray with words
I prayed in tears and song
I closed off the rest of my life
So I could try my best to hold up yours
I lived for you… I knew the end was near
It taught me how to make decisions without you
But… Still…
It did not teach me how to let you go.
I spent my quiet moments grieving a loss that had not yet occurred
I saw the sun … I felt the rain… But I was already mourning
Especially in the quiet …

In the last days of your life I plead your case aloud with God over and over.
But my heart had been prepared..
I never left your side,
And in the end I begged you to let go.
I told your wordless, barely responsive body that
I was tired, worn, and weak… That I might have to go home for awhile…

I couldn’t leave…

And then I was given the strength that you held onto your whole life ,
You grew weaker, your pained diseased body was failing, your heart was beating but you started to leave.

I waited with you… And my thoughts, actions , and words , were all consumed by waiting… You could not wake up, and we could not sleep…

And…
We all gathered around you,
In union we watched and waited.
Some read to you, some sang to you, some cried for you…

We took turns holding your hand
I know I kissed your face at least a dozen times that morning,
Your earthly body was changing,
And God was busy preparing your new body …
Your new home…

I could not do anything for you anymore,
I could not keep my hands busy to maintain or prolong your time with me…
So in those final moments I could no longer depend or be depended upon…

I was lost … I bowed my head and prayed the deepest prayer I had in so long… And then I lifted my head and knew it was time to say goodbye.

That miraculous moment when you opened your eyes,
And you cried for the life you were leaving behind,
We were all there to say goodbye,
And your eyes turned toward the light,
As the angels carried you to your new home…
That very moment is what sums it up for me…
That very moment where all of the joy and all of the pain in my heart met,
Where the deepest moans of mourning were heard
When We watched you leave,
In the way that you left…
You were “mother”, and you drew up an energy only God could give,
So you could mother us in your passing.

And all of the people who knew you tell stories of their blessings because of who you were.
But I could never express the blessings you passed on to me in this journey…
Picking up the pieces of my current life is refreshing, and beautiful…
However, it is fragile, and shaken, and frightening …

In the days after you died,
I have been filling my time with tasks
I have been loving my family
I have been yearning, longing, and grieving,
But I am doing fine, and I see the sun and I feel the rain,
And I have been living… Without you…
I know I am mothered by the legacy you left behind…
But when the grieving comes… I have to retreat, relive , and let go again….
Always in my heart momma!