As some of you already know, my mother died this past April. She had suffered quite a bit in the years before her death, and so, for her, this is a blessing, and I know that she is at peace now. When she became sick this last time, I prayed that God would be merciful, and I know that He was. On some days, I just feel sorry for me. When she died, I almost immediately felt very, very alone, like a part of me was gone. A feeling, I have learned now, that is very common when one loses a parent.

As I have been going through her clothes, dishes, photographs, books, it has amazed me how finding something from my childhood can take me back there immediately, so that I can see and hear and smell everything. During this process, I have felt almost compelled to photograph some of the things associated with my most vivid memories of her.

My mother and I shared, among other things, a love of nature, travel, music, birds and especially photography. So taking photographs as I move through my grief really seems to make sense. I will post here some of the photos I have taken during this time, as well as a few of my wonderful, beautiful mother and me. I hope you enjoy them, I think they are beautiful.