June 18, 2011

where we go from here....


the past few days have been difficult for so many of us. char's passing hit us all in the gut, not to mention the softest parts of our hearts. 
but she wouldn't want us all mourning her for days. no. absolutely not. instead she'd want us to be out living our lives. smelling the flowers. soaking up the sun. holding hands while we walk.
~
so let's do that. just for her.
will you join me.
will you put on some music and dance or whip up a batch of cookies, while the windows in your kitchen let a flowery scented breeze blow your hair around.
i know she'd love it if you did. 
~
yesterday i had a newborn shoot. in my hands i held a brand new life. a beautiful baby girl.
~
with every shot i took. with every baby gurgle i heard.
i couldn't help thinking about the circle of life
and
knowing
that this is where we go from here.
*

39 comments:

  1. oh that is sweet... and true. our souls go on - and maybe even get recycled if we're lucky...

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  2. Awwww...how precious! And you are right...life is for living! Let's live it up :) xoxo

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  3. this touched my heart.....

    kary
    xx

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  4. True and tender. Much like this darling child.

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  5. You are so right in this Beth -- the circle of life goes on and this is how we move forward.

    Such a beautiful baby!!!!

    And your suggestion of what we can do today that would fill Char's heart with happiness??? Exactly!!! Live it up!!!

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  6. i am back...and in shock....when i read the name Char...i knew it sounded familiar...could it be her ???? i knew Char.... we visited each other's blogs often...but is this THE Char that i knew....i went to her blog...and no sign...then i came back to your blog, beth and looked at the older posts...and it is her....my sweet friend, Char. i am in disbelief...

    what a loss....such a sweet, kind woman....

    my heart is filled with sadness...but i know she WOULD want us...to dance and Eat Cookies !!!!

    remembering Char.

    and sending love,
    kary

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  7. Life is an eternal cycle and your words capture it so well, Beth.

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  8. beautiful baby, beautiful post, beautiful words from you. <3
    xx
    z

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  9. Gorgeous post Beth and oh so true!

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  10. Life goes on, yes. What a beautiful way to spend a day.

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  11. So true. Babies remind us of that without doing anything at all. Beautiful photo!

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  12. oh my goodness....that is a beautiful newborn in a beautiful picture. There is something about babies at funereals (or being with a baby shortly after someone's death) that is so peaceful and hope inspiring. We were just talking about Steel Magnolias, weren't we.....life is odd that way

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  13. perfect. perfect. char is nodding right now.

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  14. my heart is broken over this news. i had not talked to her in many months. but we were at one time very close.

    i completely understand what you mean... the circle of life is so prevalent and powerful in my mind right now as i sit and watch my four-day old son while hearing this news.

    char was loved by many... still is. and her photography was one of the first i ever saw out here in photoblog land that made me want to take photos, too. she will be greatly missed. your three posts that tribute her are beautiful. so is this precious newborn.

    thank you for letting me know. i may not have time to bake some cookies to honor her. but i will let the flowery scented breeze blow my hair around.

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  15. this is so good. and right.

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  16. I'll do just that, for her. She is beautiful.

    Joey

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  17. Aw what a beautiful baby, I went out for lunch in the pouring rain to get out and celebrate life. hugs dear friend.

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  18. Life's bittersweet circle never fails to blow me away. How wonderful that the universe provided you with that sweet messenger of where to go now.
    Hugs!

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  19. Really beautifully stated, as always. And what a treat for you to have the baby shoot, especially after the sad news of a few days ago. Everything happens for a reason.

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  20. Everything in life is a circle game. Round and round, happy and sad, good and bad moments replaced one another and all for their fair share of purposes. To live is to learn to take these moments and make a momentous life.

    Btw, the baby is soooooo cute!!!

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  21. Babies and flowers do that for me, too. Renew. After my best friend of 30 years died last spring I poured myself into my Dutch garden. I didn't feel good at the time but after the summer life was worth living again. I know how you feel. xxoo Jenny

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  22. Oh, what a precious baby girl. Beautiful photography and words too...

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  23. Beth, my hear just sing at this picture ... there is no need for words ... it speaks for itself ... yes a circle of life ... sending love.

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  24. Beautifully said...even without the words the photo says it all.

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  25. What a little doll! Precious.

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  26. this is the perfect tribute, to go on, to cherish what is precious in life, to dance.
    xoxo

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  27. Isn't it funny how life and death often go hand in hand.

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  28. That is a beautiful baby! And I don't normally think newborns are beautiful!

    I just learned from a church member today that his wife was checked at the doctor recently because ever since her miscarriage a few weeks ago she hasn't felt well. Turns out she had twins and only lost one of the babies, so this sweet couple will have a child after all! One of life's unexpected miracles. Just wanted to share.

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  29. Your words and this photo - just gorgeous!

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  30. so sacred this is .. a beautiful life beginning and end !

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  31. lovely, lovely post...thank you for this...

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  32. Beautiful post Beth...

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  33. And that is all we can do...find The Where We Go From Here and continue living each. and. every. day....like it is our last.

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  34. Oh my goodness, Beth!! This photo brought tears to my eyes!!! And then your words just plain ol' threw me over the edge!! Nothing puts life into perspective more than death and newborn babies. The circle of life. xoxo

    ~ Wendy
    http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  35. Wonderful thoughts, of course. How beautiful it is to record the beginnings of a joyful new life, even as we bid farewell to someone we have loved dearly. It is as it should be.

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  36. I did not know Char but from what I have read from your post as well as of a few others...she was a beautiful person. My condolences to you and her family.

    I can understand the feeling of your loss...and the cookies suggestion was beautiful...I read it somewhere that 'when someone close to us dies a part of us dies with them'
    But I have myself always believed that when someone close to us dies, a part of 'em lives on with us not just through our memories of 'em but also through us, life does not end, the people who mattered to us continue living and seeing the world through us, in us...and so let the part of Char that sees the world through you...see what she's love to see by doing things she'd love to do...and you are right the one's of loves would never want to us mourning..instead they'd love to see us living on in joy so that they can enjoy too in our laughter...char would have found joy seeing you hold this baby girl and finding your peace..watching life flow on.

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**I love reading the comments you leave, as they make me feel like we're sitting in my kitchen, having a cup of tea, discussing life and wondering where all the time has gone ...beth