A New Beginning in a New Old Place

This Blogpost is worth reading the words as well as looking at the pictures. I asked Susanna to write the post because she is so gifted with words. (For more of her beautiful writing, she blogs at susanna-wishfulthinking.blogspot.com).

"The experts say you arenʼt supposed to make any major decisions for a year after experiencing traumatic loss. Well, I didnʼt listen. The year after my husband died was filled with ups and downs and some choices Iʼd prefer to forget... with one notable exception. I bought my dream house. And itʼs perfect. The past four months have been busy with extensive remodeling and we have a few more months to go before itʼs entirely livable. The house was built in 1925, and though perfect, needed a few upgrades in order to be efficient. When I lost Andy there was a profound rift in the place I had once invested so much love and so many dreams. Not only was there a rift, but, over time, there was a build up of displaced love. We were, all of us, created to invest in others. I had three beautiful children, but I understood, from day one, that they needed to grow up and leave home and be free of unhealthy anchors to a grieving mother. But, then, like a little miracle, I found my house and I reinvested. I know itʼs a house. I know it doesnʼt love me back, but itʼs a receptacle for all things me. I love this project. Itʼs a brand new beginning and yet, so many things about my house are culminations of dreams I had as a child. The old meets the new. Thereʼs even a secret passageway.

And, itʼs not only for me. My children need this too...a place to explore and make their own...a house in the city that now has a street named after their father. Itʼs only right. So, when my dear friend Janice came to visit, I asked her to take some photos (with her signature grace) of me and the kids at the new house. Just as I had hoped, she captured the excitement, discovery, and cohesiveness of our little family. And, at the center of it all is our beautiful house."

(Susanna Widman, susanna-wishfulthinking.blogspot.com)

an unsuspecting favorite place

(yes this is my 3rd post in as many hours, but i am trying to catch up after an amazing couple of days in FL -- pics to follow in a few days -- so bear with me!)

So I was actually thrilled when the suggestion was made that we do these family pictures at the Forest Hills Cemetary. It is truly one of the most beautiful places in Boston -- a real treasure. Not only are there really beautiful sculptures throughout, but the trees are amazing and it is just a really special, quiet place. I loved the dynamic of this family -- Joanne and the boys. The relationship between the oldest and the middle 'boys' was really tender and it was special to observe. Little guy was precious and just wanted to eat ginkgo leaves and there was just a sweet love between all of them.

a perfect sunday morning...

I have known the Papanicolaous almost as long as I have lived in New England and they are dear people to me. We spent a perfect Sunday morning after church at Appleton Farms. Family pictures is a tradition for them and I was completely amazed at how easy they made my job. They literally fell into formation for the couple of posed shots that we did. That said, they were most at ease climbing trees, jumping from haybale to haybale or just strolling and chatting... and that is part of why they are so great! thanks guys for a really fun session.

Catching up

I am a little bit behind, so may post several blog posts tonight... this being the first since it is the oldest. Because their grandparents were visiting and because we wanted to get a few more shots of the baby, I got to back and photograph this wonderful family that I had photographed just a few weeks before. I had so much fun and really enjoyed hanging out with the girls for a little while and capturing a lot of day to day and ended up getting a few groups shots at the end as well. I love working with kids in comfortable surroundings and love some of the shots captured. Here are a few!

a rose among...

I think that it works out well that this little one has 3 older brothers who will watch out for her. What a beauty... and sweet too. It was so precious to watch this little one adore her momma... and likewise. She spent the entire time either eating, snuggling or contentedly playing with her feet. What a life :)