Dear Susan:

You and I never met prior to Wednesday, yet I feel like somehow ours souls are connected in a way that I can’t even begin to explain or put into words, but I’m going to do my best to try…

On Monday my husband asked me about several posts that were swirling around on facebook after the news about your stroke.  I texted our mutual dear friend Maggie, to ask who everyone was talking about.  When she told me it was you, my heart hurt…. While we haven’t met I have heard of you over the years, seen your posts on friends pages, and knew you were an extraordinary woman.  As a mom of two girls, and me not being much older than you, it broke my heart to know that you and your family were going to be facing the biggest challenges of your lives.  The reality of the situation hit especially hard because you have such a young son.  I cried tears for you, a woman I hadn’t met, yet felt connected to all at the same time.  I religiously followed the beautiful website that your friend Theresa set up for you, I searched all of our mutual friends facebook pages for updates and posts, and the news was hard to read.  I started reading about strokes online, trying to gain as much knowledge and information as I could to try to understand.  The gravity of your situation was just so scary and difficult for me to comprehend.

On Wednesday your best friend Angela contacted me and asked if I would come to the hospital to take some photos of you with Matt and Andrew.  I of course, could not say no… although I have to be honest and admit I was so incredibly nervous and scared as I knew this would be the hardest work I had ever done behind my camera.  I called a fellow photographer friend on my way to the hospital, literally screaming, crying, cursing, and just asking her how the HELL would I do this, and how would I do it in such a way that would be beautiful, yet at the same time respectful of you, your family, your husband and your son.  My friend’s advice was to just DO… just be there, capture the love, the grace, and the emotions in the room.  I normally photograph birth so in a way this was similar given the hospital setting, yet SO very different…  The normal feelings of joy were replaced by deep sorrow and anguish.  My only goal was to make sure that Andrew had photos to someday help him understand this time, and to maybe give him some answers when he asks questions as he is getting older.  At the very least he would see very clearly just how much his daddy loves you…

At that point we were hopeful and optimistic that you would pull through… but when I got the hospital and saw you lying in the bed, the intensity of the situation hit me like a wall of bricks… and as hard as I tried to be strong and not cry I just had to let it go.  The tears fell like rain, down my face, onto my shirt and onto the floor.  The harder I tried not to cry, the more tears fell.  My hands were shaking, so much so that I had a hard time keeping my camera still.  I continued on through tears, knowing that these photos were for Andrew.  That was the only thing that made what I was doing make sense and feel even remotely okay…

I could see you fighting, I could see your spirit trying so hard to escape the situation you were in, you were so brave.  Even though you were connected to so many machines, tubes, and wires you were INSANELY beautiful, truly beautiful beyond anything I have ever seen.  You radiated light and love, and that was felt to the core by everyone there.  Your husband was so sweet with you, loving you every minute, and trying so hard to be strong for the rest of your family.  You could see the love in his eyes for you, when he cradled your hand in his, when he looked at you, and the way he touched your face.  Your parents and Matt’s were wonderful, talking to you, sitting at your bedside, and so wonderfully supporting Matt and helping care for Andrew.  Our midwife Kelli came to see you, prayed for you, held your hand much like I’m sure she did when Andrew was born.  It was so hard for me to see her in that place, because it felt so much familiar to how she is with laboring mamas.  You could tell that she adored you and loved you to her core.  Angela was truly amazing, and I will never forget watching her care for you, talking to you, telling you stories and laughing until she cried.  I know she is forever changed by your friendship and love for her.  And I know she will continue to care for and love Andrew as if he were her own son.  When I left that night I was hoping my next phone call would be that you woke up, and to come quick to get photos of that…. I knew I couldn’t just tell part of the story, I had to tell the rest too.

On Thursday Angela texted me at 2 pm, telling me to keep my phone close.  My heart sank, I could just feel that it wasn’t going to be good news.  By 6:30 she called and asked me to come… that Matt, Andrew, and your family would be saying their final goodbyes and could I come and capture that.  Again the rush of emotions came back… how can I do this, how can I make sure I am respectful, kind, unobtrusive and giving the space for your family to love you and say their goodbyes.  I arrived at the hospital and immediately knew you were gone… your spirit was profoundly felt in that room, but you were not in your body.  As hard as that was, I was at peace with this… knowing that you were no longer suffering, and free to be the beautiful light that you are.  I could feel the intense warmth and love all around you coming from every single person that walked into CCU room 3218.  I had asked Matt to bring your wedding bands, which I put into the palm of your hand and photographed.  A few minutes later Matt told me your anniversary is next week… again came the waterworks of tears.  I tried as best as I could to photograph all the little moments, the details, your dad holding your hand, your husband kneeling at your bedside, Andrew showing you his toy truck and touching your hand, and the prayer that the chaplain led.  I watched the nurses and staff prepare your body for organ donation, and for a moment felt a sliver of bright light in this knowing that so many families would be getting the phone call they had been dreaming of and that your selfless gift would save and impact so many more lives.  I feel forever bonded to your family after this… and I’ve never been through something so moving with strangers whom I can now call friends.

When I packed up my bag to go home for the night, knowing this was the last time I’d see you I took your hand, kissed your forehead and said thank you… with tears dripping off my face and onto yours, I thanked you from those of us who never had the divine opportunity to meet you prior to your passing.  You will never know how much you impacted so many strangers in such a huge way over these last days.  Thank you for sharing your love story with Matt with me, thank you for sharing the love of your family and dear friend Angela.  Mostly I thank you for giving me the gift of your presence, even though it was fleeting, it made me wish I had the chance to know you all along.  I hope that someday we can meet again, and start a beautiful friendship like so many others have had with you.  My heart breaks for your family, and for Matt especially.  His love for you is so strong, and I have no doubt that he will continue to love you eternally.  I’m certain that you are looking down upon us all with pride.  You have brought together a community filled with so much love and support for one another.  You taught me how to live in the moment and to let go of the little things.  Even though I only knew you two days, you will be remembered in my heart forever.  Thank you for that gift, and the honor and blessing of photographing your final two days on this earth, it truly means so much to me and my heart has grown bigger because of you…. Much love, Cristy.

I close this post with an image from Wednesday night, Susan’s hand being held by her husband Matt, and their son Andrew.  The other photos I took are being kept private and will be shared if and when Matt decides he’d like to do so.

This week I was craving tacos, not just any taco, but quality tacos like the ones I remember buying back home in California growing up. Those super fresh taqeuria tacos that melt in your mouth and make you want more and more. So while I was in downtown Orlando the other day, I stopped in at one of our favorite Mexican food hole in the wall called GRINGOS LOCOS, located at 20 East Washington Street in between Orange and South Magnolia Avenues. My order, a few “Street Tacos”, formerly known as Loco Tacos, and a Coke in a bottle to wash it all down. These tacos boast tasty marinated chicken, white onions, cilantro, a lime to squeeze on top, all wrapped up in a couple of warm grilled corn tortillas. Add a little hot sauce to the pile and you have pure heaven. While I was there, I got to witness the preparation of a “Drunk Gringo” in a taco bowl. This feast of a meal includes everything in the bowl, yes that right, everything. All meats, or proteins as they call it, and all sides. I bet if this thing was wrapped in a flour tortilla, it would be the monster of all burritos! A cool eating establishment, with an upbeat energetic crew on hand to prepare and serve you a delicious Mexican meal, all right in the heart of downtown!

A huge thanks to Jay, a former groom who’s wedding we shot in Key West, Florida, for meeting me down at his restaurant, allowing me to take some pictures of the place, and stepping in front of the camera for a few as well!

You can also find Gringos Locos on Facebook HERE.

So if you are looking for tasty, fresh, affordable Mexican food, even if its late night, this place is open until 3:00 am on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights/mornings, venture into downtown Orlando and try Gringos Locos, A Mexican Affair. Enjoy!!! [[Show as slideshow]]

The Nielsens Photography & Design is excited to host our first annual Polar Express Fun Fest and Snow Day with Santa on Saturday, December 4, 2010 from 12 to 5 pm at our studio. Come out and get your photograph taken with Santa in the snow, in front of our vintage train engine. While you are there, check out the many Central Florida vendors that will also be in attendance offering their goods and services for your holiday shopping. We can’t wait for Saturday…..See you all there!!!

Stay tuned as we will be releasing some Christmas in July specials at our Oviedo Florida photography studio!

My recent birth clients Nandi and Jason showed me the diapers they are using for their son Bodhi. They are called G Diapers. I came home and checked them out and researched a bit and realized just how cool they are. They are what they call hybrid diapers, half cloth, half disposable. The outer cover is cloth, then there is a inner liner which holds a disposable pad. The pad itself is made out of cellulose, which is what helps trees hold their water and is totally biodegradable and breaks down in 50-100 days in a landfill or compost vs the 500 years it takes a normal disposable to break down. You can also flush the peed on pads, you tear them up and put them in the toilet and they just break up. They are seriously cool… and I’m not usually one to post about diapers…lol.

I bought baby C a starter set, extra cover and case of pads. We got them today and they are the coolest things. Since it’s part disposable you only have to wash the covers occasionally when they get wet or soiled. They are so darn cute too, so that is a bonus. She can put on a t shirt with the diaper and look cute as pie! They aren’t super expensive once you buy the covers. The inserts are just a little more than disposables, and the benefits are far greater! The little things like this really do make a huge difference in the world, I’m so glad we won’t be throwing away diapers anymore!

If you have been looking for a eco friendly diapering solution these are it! Check out their site for more info! I’m officially SOLD on the idea! And I think Camdyn digs them too…lol. The covers are so cute too I may just get a few in different sizes for the studio to put over clients disposables! Here’s some photos of the little monkey to show the fit and style. Yes she is already sitting up and just turned six months a few days ago! How time flies…wah!

Imagine having a beautiful child.
Imagine finding out your beautiful child won’t survive past two years old.
Imagine having ONE wish for your child.
Imagine everyone banding together to make the wish a reality.

This is the story of Lilie’s family, and this is me (and hopefully all of you), committing myself to find a way to make this happen! Lilie is terminally ill. She has been diagnosed with GM1 Gangliosidosis. It is a rare, incurable lysosomal storage disease (enzyme deficiency) that will ultimately take her life by what research shows. . . by the age of two. She will continue to degenerate, go blind, have seizures, and eventually lose all ability to move and succumb to this disease. She is all but blind and her mom (Jen) is spending her last days enjoying what life is left in her daughter.

All Jen wants to do is take her daughter to the Ocean before she dies and Make a Wish will not grant them the wish because she is under two and they believe that Lilie will not get any benefit from it that it would only benefit the FAMILY… Jen is devastated.

Visit their Caring Bridge page here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lilieclark

This family is a dear friend of a good friend of mine. I’m asking for your help. Myself (along with a couple photographer friends of mine) would love to be able to get them to Florida. If we can get them to Florida (there are 6 in their family), they can stay with family…but with tons of medical expenses, right now it just isn’t possible.

So I’m asking for your guys’ help….anything that you could donate to this fabulous cause….$5, $20, $500…I get approximately 500 visits to my blog daily, if each person donated just $10, we could have $5000 in just one day…that would be A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!! Put yourself in their shoes, imagine having one last wish for your child.

I have set up a Paypal account for the donations. If you are willing to help out, please go to Paypal and send funds to the following address sulrich@neb.rr.com.

CNP clients will receive a complimentary session, 20 5×7 prints from their session, and a 25% discount on any additional purchases. To find out more about these sessions or request one, please contact the studio. To find out more about Think Pink Photography and find a photographer in your area click HERE!