It is with an extremely heavy heart that I write this post.
A couple years back, I was hired by Bridget and her husband Steve to photograph them with their 6 month old little girl Grace. Upon meeting them, I immediately fell in love with their little girl, and just could not get over what a doll she was! We took some pictures of the three of them together, and when Steve had to return to work, Bridget and I continued walking around the city, capturing little Grace explore her environment. Throughout our walk Bridget and I chatted about how she met her husband, how motherhood has been so wonderful, etc... I knew then that this was one special woman.
Shortly after that day, the family moved to Oregon for Steve's job and I received an email from Bridget this past April telling me she was pregnant again, and wanted to make sure I could come out there and photograph the four of them when the baby was born in September!
About three weeks after that email, I received another one informing me Bridget was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and did not have long to live. The devastation was more than overwhelming to everyone who knew this beautiful YOUNG woman. Not only was her life in danger, but the baby inside of her was way to young to be born just yet.
Bridget, being SO strong in her faith, trusted in God's love and faithfulness. Throughout her struggle to get well, she relied on one very important verse: "Fear Not, For I AM With You." This was the verse that got Bridget through many chemo treatments, hospital stays, different diagnosis, etc.
Their daughter Chloe was born a couple of months ago, and weighed just one pound. Chloe has been in the NICU since birth, but is continuing to grow, and impress everyone at how well she is doing.
Last week, Bridget lost her battle to cancer, and went to be with God. "How does something like this happen to such a beautiful person" is just one of the many questions we all have. I don't understand any of this, and I don't think I'm supposed to. I think the goal, as Bridget encouraged us all through her sickness to do, is just trust in God's love and faithfulness. Through it all, Bridget's one request was that people give God a chance. That we would see just how great He is, and how important to have Him in our lives. Her commitment to God surpassed anything she desired her on earth.
What a woman of faith. I have been continuously encouraged by her and her family as they went through this process with Bridget. This is a family of great love and devotion to one another, and if nothing else, Bridget was confident in their love for her, her husband, and her daughters.
I feel so privileged to have had a small glimpse into their beautiful lives.
Here are a few pictures of her with her family back in 2006:
5 comments:
How amazing that little Grace will always have these incredible pictures of her mom. This is so very very sad. I will definitely be praying for the family and for baby Cloe.
I'm totally bawling right now. What an amazing woman! I'm sure her family is incredibly grateful for the images you captured of her - and that her children will cherish them for the rest of their lives.
Kelly....this is truly a beautiful post. difficult to read and so sad but tender and hopeful.
Thank you for writing this beautiful tribute and sharing these tender pictures, Kelly. There is much redemption and grace in the midst of this tragedy. Your pictures go a long way towards capturing the light of Christ in this family. Just imagine how much light will surround them when they are reunited in Heaven!
-Tim & Meg
Thank you for this story about Bridget. She was an amazing person who was always smiling. Her daughters are beautiful and will grow up hearing wonderful things about their mother. She will certainly be missed.
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