To express what is in my heart right now in a blog post seems completely impossible.
I am overwhelmed with sadness for a grieving family who so graciously invited me in to photograph one of the most intimate and precious moments of their entire lives. You may remember Cynthia and Mike from an engagement shoot we did last year. How fitting that the title of my blog post months ago for their session was simply, love. Here we are again, with love, yet this time its not so light and fluffy … its heavy and gut wrenching and bittersweet, but it is still simply … love.
With an unexpected turn of events, their scheduled May wedding was abrubtly moved to last week so the beautiful mother of the bride could see her youngest daughter get married. It was my first wedding, but in a venue I’ve become familiar with over the past year as I’ve documented the miracle of birth in several hospitals in the area. I left the hospital last week heartbroken but thankful and hopeful for a miracle, not unlike the ones I get to witness in the other wings of the same hospitals.
And now, a busy week behind me that was filled with a miraculous birth that I’ll share later, the uncertainty of what the future holds for my family, and the celebration of my little brother’s engagement, what took place on the oncology floor at Harris Methodist Hospital last week took on a whole new meaning for me, but more importantly, for Cindy Death’s grieving family.
I took some time today to read through what people were posting on Cynthia’s facebook page about her mother and I was once again overwhelmed, this time, with deep admiration and love for a woman who has obviously left an everlasting impression on the hearts of many, including mine, who I met for the first time 7 days ago.
My prayer is that when you watch this video, you too are overwhelmed with love and that you allow these lyrics to sink deep into your heart, where He lives, that mysterious guy we call love. (Make sure your speakers are on)
Oh love, Oh the many colors that you’re made of … You heal … You bleed
You’re the simple truth and you’re the biggest mystery
Oh love
Deep as the life from Gods own breath
And it’s even after death
Gone like the sunset
You can break a heart in pieces and put it back together again
You can break down sweet forgiveness; You’re the one that never ends
Oh Love
Death Family,
Thank you from ever fiber of my being for so graciously inviting me into your world. I truly feel privileged to have spent just a few moments with you all, and especially, Cindy. It’s something I hold as sacred and I will carry with me forever. Bless you all. She truly is a remarkable woman and has surely claimed her reward at the city gate!
Crystal, you did a beautiful job.. These pictures are perfect. My heart goes out to them..
These have me in tears. You truly captured the beauty of my mother in these photos. I will treasure these forever. Thank you so so much
This is the most beautiful video and tribute I have ever seen. This wedding was truly the most precious wedding I have ever attended and you captured it perfectly. Cindy was a remarkable mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. Thank you for this treasure of photos for her family.
Thank you Crystal, Julie, and Cynthia for sharing. I can’t tell you how much Cindy touched my heart. You captured her love of those girls and how truly happy she was to be there. Beautiful…
My heart and pray goes out to Cindy and her family. You did an amazing job of capturing every emotion, every moment of their day. This will be something that they can treasure for the rest of their life. Their last happy memory. God bless.
What a beautiful family! We are so glad that Cindy got to be a part of this special day and you were altogether. I am praying for your family and will continue in the days ahead. Congratulations to Cynthia and Mike. We wish them every blessing from God for a long and loving marriage. Thank you for sharing this beautiful video of your special day. It does truly capture the heart of such a beautiful woman whom we will miss.
Laura & Allen Shoulders
Absolutely beautiful! What precious memories they will have of this day forever. I love you Cynthia!
There are no words. This is beautiful. Such precious memories for this family to hold on to. Thank you.
Your pictures capture the love of a mother so dear for her beautiful family.
Beautiful job! Thank you for giving this family such a wonderful keepsake and such special memories! It was so touching and truly captured the special lady Cindy was. Thank you for sharing this with us!
love really is all you need. this is the most beautiful slideshow I have ever seen. the love really radiates from every picture and could not have been captured more beautifully. xo
I have no words. This is absolutely precious.
AMAZING! I’m in a pool of tears right now. What a gorgeous family! So glad you were able to capture these amazing memories at such a difficult time. God Bless you and this family.
Simply beautiful, Crystal. My heart goes out to this family…wishing them strength and peace.
It is hard to type through the tears. There are no words. You did an amazing job. More beautiful and full of love than any wedding I’ve ever seen.
Thank you so much for giving all the people who loved Cindy this precious treasure. This is something their family will have forever as a testimony to the legacy that Cindy was. You captured every emotion. My tears are flowing.
Crystal, I can’t keep the tears from flowing…you have such a great gift and watching this video really spoke to me that we all have a part in His divine plan. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for capturing this moment for this wonderful family. Beautifully done..
no words…just absolutely touching and beautiful…
Crystal, thanks for sharing such a bittersweet story. What an amazing gift Cindy was given and gave. The power of images you have captured for this family and shared with the rest of us is immeasurable.
That is what life is all about…moments that are bigger than us. Clinging to the people we love while weathering life’s storms. Being a family. I love all of these images!!!
I cannot even express the love I felt when watching that video. She was truly a beautiful person and apparently touched the hearts of so many! Amazing job in capturing the a happy and deeply emotional time with grace.
Lump in my throat…so incredibly beautiful.
My beautiful friend Eliza shared this blog with me and I am typing through tears. I don’t think you (and Eliza) as photographers truly understand the gift you give us with capturing moments that stay in our hearts forever. These images will stay with me as they are so deep and profound and speak volumes. She made a beautiful bride, God bless them all…. Amazing Crystal!
Just letting you know again, these photos are cherished.
This was absolutely beautiful. What an amaing way to cherish their mother. I know what it feels like to be in that position because I lost my mother last year and had to push back my October 2009 wedding to April 2010. It will be a tough day. This is awesome!
No words are perfect enough to express the beauty I just saw. Such excellent work, Crystal. Completely touched me.
Crystal, I’m a friend of Eliza, who shared this with me….I’m so touched by these photos and by this woman I never knew..it’s obvious she was a very special person, truly loved and cherished by those who knew her. This has touched me in so many ways, I don’t even have the words. Many prayers for the family to find comfort and for the bride and groom to have a wonderfully long and blessed marriage.
Thank you all so much for your prayers. My family can feel them. Also, thank you for noticing the true character of my wonderful mother. She touched everyone she came in contact with. Even the ones she didn’t know, like several of you who have commented. What you see in these pictures was my mother…everyday! Crystal captured her so perfectly. I am grateful and blessed to have had both my mom and Crystal there that day.
Cynthia and Mike, I do not know any of you but I’ve had the wonderful experience of watching this video. I want you to know it has made a large impression on me. How wonderful of you to do your wedding in the hospital so your Mom could share in it. I know that made such a difference in the short time she had left. Be assured Cynthia and Mike, she is an Angel in Heaven now and will be watching over you. God Bless !
Linda Branson, Nurse Recruiter, Texas Health Resources.