We're Back!

Wow...what a week! Although I have just returned from a splendid family vacation to the Smoky Mountains, there has been a barrage of tragedy back home. Two friends (both men), one 32 years of age and the other 41, both collapsed and died. Neither had any warning and both had small children. There are two devestated families close to me right now. I also found out 3 days ago that my brother-in-law's mom, who is also a close friend of mine, is violently ill and has been diagnosed with lung cancer that has spread to the liver. The outlook doesn't look good. Many times during this vacation brought tears to my eyes, especially since it was wrought with photographic opportunities. Jackie is the one who helped me get my start in photog freelance, as many of you know. She is such a giving person, as is my brother-in-law, and the thought of that family experiencing any more pain (lost son to suicide a few years ago) is unbearable to me. Unfortunately, she is in a tremendous amount of physical and emotional pain at the moment, and I am powerless. This entire week's events have brought back several unpleasant memories for me where I have felt just as powerless, or even more so. My dad's battle with cancer when I was ten, witnessing my mom's heart attack, head injury and ensuing custody battle when I was eleven, my mom's battle with breast cancer twice, once in 1997 and then more severely in early 2002...all these have made me the anxious hypochondriac that I am today. However, I think they have also taught me more about human strength, the power of prayer and hope than anything else. Right now, as I listen to my husband practice playing the Mercy Me song "I Can Only Imagine" for the first funeral tomorrow, I am somewhat comforted. I may not find resolution today or tomorrow for these losses or for my past tragedies, but there is peace lurking in the vicinity. I just have to catch it.

Jackie's site