Remembering Daddy

As many of you know, I have been shooting for a book coming out in November entitled, “Faces of Life.” It will use photos and words to tell the stories of those who were in Covenant Hospice care or who received bereavement counciling from them.

So yesterday I had a very difficult session. I photographed this six year old boy who lost his daddy to brain cancer last year. Maybe it is because I am a parent of an almost 6 yr old child, but I could physically feel his sad little heart through my lens. No child should have to go through such a tragedy at such a tender age.

The good thing is that he is getting bereavement counciling and is obviously working through the grief stages. As I photographed him, we spoke about his plans to play football, and his awe in finding a snake on his front porch; a typical 6 yr old boy.

At one point, he looked up at the sky and I could fleetingly see the pain squeezing its way out into the open air; he was remembering his daddy.

 

As he climbed aboard his daddy’s Harley, his chest beamed with pride and I could see that he was remembering the days that daddy would drive around the block with him safely in his arms.

As I was just about to leave, I came up behind him and captured this hopeful look in the rearview mirror. It was then I realized, he’s going to be okay. His memories will always be there to sooth him as he cruises on ahead through life.

Trista