Life is raw | An Alzheimer's legacy story

Legacy. It's a big word. As my dad's journey with cancer progresses (praising God for more clear scans!) I think more and more often of this word and what it means. Since my father's diagnosis a few years ago, it's been on my heart to reach out and help others that are affected by cancer and disease. That's when I started offering legacy sessions - an opportunity to capture life as it happens, amidst the grief.

Enter Chrissy.

Chrissy's grandmom has Alzheimer's, and has lived with Chrissy and her family for quite some time now. The past year has been difficult - watching someone you love slowly fade away is never an easy thing - but Chrissy and her family's joy, despite their grief, continues. While my family has yet to be affected by this specific heart-wrenching disease, Chrissy and I have connected in such a way that only two people who carry such grief can, and I'm humbled and challenged each time I interact with her and her family.

Chrissy invited me over to photograph and document a few hours of the life of her family and her grandmom, and the day was made so much sweeter by the presence of grandmom's sister and son who were both visiting from out of town.

Life is raw. I left with a heavy, but oh-so-full heart. The privilege was all mine.