When he called to ask for an updated family photo specifically to thank so many, my heart did a flip-flop.  I didn’t know what to expect and was more than a bit anxious about how the time would go.  Normally I’m full of joking and silliness and funny animal sounds and  candy  (don’t tell anybody).  I hadn’t seen them since the accident and didn’t know how the girls would be, how he would be.   I didn’t want to be inappropriate, but I didn’t know what appropriate was in a time like this.  I wanted to capture something beautiful that would show them and their loved ones that they were being cared for, protected and loved by the One who cares for us all.

Of course, I shouldn’t have been worried at all.  The girls ran to me as if I was a long-lost best friend.  We played in their rooms and in their front yard walk with chalk.  We ventured to a park and even though it was cold and breezy, we ran up and down hills and shouted and smelled the wind.

I remember sweet Mali in her little voice calling her little sister and saying “Eleri, smile like Mommy always wanted us to!”  Her simple words made me swallow hard.  But it also let me know that they are okay.  They ARE being cared for, They ARE being protected and they ARE so so so very loved.

And then I  joked.  And was silly.  And made funny animal sounds.

And gave out candy.

To see a few more from this beautiful family session, please click below…