This was the second year that I photographed Cheri. Last year, I photographed her with her son, young daughter and husband. We met at the Clovis Cemetery. This year, I photographed Cheri in Martha Tessmer's backyard.
For this shoot, Cheri brought a rose in a plexi-glass box. Cheri's daughter Mairra gave it to Cheri just before Mairra died. Mairra insisted her mother keep it. Now, Cheri will treasure it forever.
This year, the photo shoot was especially meaningful for me, because I have a daughter that is the same age that Mairra was when she died. For Mother's Day this year, my daughter gave her mother a gift similar to Mairra's rose. Emily wanted her mother to know she cared, and Emily has reached the developmental stage where she understands that symbols represent love.
Perhaps this explains how this photography project connects me and the mothers... the symbolism represents something greater than the individuals. Cheri connects with her past and with others. She is in the company of other mothers and other angels. Cheri connects to her daughter. I also connect to my daughter and to my parents.
See larger photos Mothers of an Angel 9 Cheri - Images by bryan farley
When we started photographing, Cheri began crying. She wondered why this happened again. She wondered when it would stop. She mentioned that she knew she would have reached a new level of healing the year she did not cry. This reminded me of my post the day before I photographed her the previous year, when I wrote about my father's death. There are sign posts to healing. For me, taking photographs helps with my healing. Being of service helps me. I am grateful to these families.
But there was another realization. If Cheri is going to use these photo sessions as a sign post, it might take several years. So, I am guessing the mothers and families are going to let me hang out with them a little longer.
bf
Comments