I usually don’t share a lot about my personal life on my business pages. My one and only daughter, Anastasia, died September 16, 2024. She was 22 years old and was differently abled. She had medical, physical, and intellectual issues since in utero. We were blessed with the fact she survived considering she was in chronic lung failure and the doctors said she was terminal at the age of 6.
These last two months have been gut-wrenching and extremely hard for me and our family. As the holidays are upon us, it makes it even more difficult because each and every year I would insist on family pictures. Ironically, my husband doesn’t like to go to get pictures done professionally, so it was usually pictures of Anastasia and my immediate family.
As we are an interfaith family--for 22 years, I would dress Anastasia in a white dress for Christmas Eve Service. For Chanukah, we would play dreidel, and she would “help” make latkes. We always got nail polish or earrings for her for Chanukah and for Christmas we would give her various gifts.
What does Grief and Photography have in common? It’s the memories we capture in our minds or on our phones or cameras. Those pictures are the images we cling to with all thy might, as we miss our dear loved one.
It hasn’t even been 3 months yet since Anastasia passed away and this grief is so strong. I no longer have the option of a “complete” family portrait. Just the one from 5+ years ago remains on my mantle.
I urge you to take pictures of the moments that pass so fast. For one day, you will wish that you had pictures to clench in your hand. Use a phone tripod, a camera tripod, or whatever works. Just get the picture. Perfect or not. It doesn't matter. It just matters that the picture is done.
May you remember and celebrate the ones you miss and remind the ones that are still with you that you love them.
Many Blessings,
Sarah Patch, Proud Owner and Photographer of Unspoken Images Photography
Written and copyrighted by Sarah Patch 12/10/2024
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