Chastain Family.
Their session was a secret. A planned surprise for some extra special Mother's Day gifts. Cari told me they had never had family pictures before, and she knew the moms would love the gift. But as I typed the name of their gallery that night, I could not help but realize that this was not a complete family picture. Something was missing. Some one was missing.
Caden.
I pictured her there. A bubbly 2-year old, red hair in pig tails and a toothy grin spreading across her entire face. Sharing Cari and Andy's laps with her little brother and squealing with delight. Running around the studio, away from the camera, and into her daddy's arms.
Caden.
What had been the welling of tears turned into an outpouring of sobs. I struggled to remain quiet so as not to wake my sleeping husband across the room from me. But the pain was so great. It just...wasn't....fair. Why couldn't they have a complete family picture? Why had the Lord chosen to take sweet Caden home and leave her grieving family here on earth? Why would he choose her? Why a baby? Why?
The questions haunted me as I loaded their images into their gallery. Their family gallery. Their incomplete family gallery. And then the Lord gently began to remind me of His goodness, His mercy, His omniscience, His love for us, His sacrifice, His pain, His compassion.....His plan.
While I certainly do not understand His plan, I do know He has one. And while I cannot fathom the good in Caden's passing, I know there is some. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8.28)
Andy and Cari, thank you so much for choosing me to capture your first family picture. I'm honored. Really really honored. And even though we can't take things with us to heaven, I sure hope God has a camera up there for me to capture your first complete family picture. :) Love you.
1 comment:
This is very lovely. Im so sorry for their loss.
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