In my living room, right by the door, hangs a 16×24 portrait of my mother and sister. It is one of my favorite portraits I’ve taken. It’s a simple photograph yet for me it shows my mother’s personality and character perfectly as the caring, loving person who always put her family and others before herself. She was a wonderful example for me and my brother and sister.

This was taken on March 29, 2009. She passed away on June 23, 2009. I took these portraits of her knowing that her time was short and I wanted something special for us all to remember her by. A few months earlier, I also took portraits of she and my Dad together. Before then, they had never had a portrait taken together. I was happy I could be the one to do the work for them. I also did it as one of my final gifts to her in hopes of giving her a little cheer in her final days before her passing. One of the last e-mails I received from her before she could no longer get out of bed was concerning this photo. She said one quick line, “Nate, I am speechless. It is beyond words.” I’m glad she liked it.

At her funeral, along with my brother, brother in law and my cousins, was able to be a paul bearer for her. I was very nervous about this even though I have been a paul bearer several times before. It was a very humbling experience that I’m honored to have been apart of for my mother, though it was very difficult.

My brother Randy and I were in front.

Placing my flower on her casket.

I really love being a photographer. I love creating heirlooms that will be passed down for generations to come long after I’m dead and gone. I can now more genuinely attest to their importance because of my mother’s passing. I miss her very much. It saddens me to think I cannot call her when I please just to say “hi.” I’m so glad I took the time to take her photograph her when I could. Ok, that’s enough of me being sappy. I’ll let you go. Thanks for reading! 🙂

-Nate