Thinking About Him...

so much lately. Maybe because he would have been 4 months old a few days ago. Because I should have gotten my baby fix holding him at Nathan's party...whatever the reason, James is on my mind

and in my heart

I have had these photos for a while. I took them just a few days before Michelle and Jimmy stopped the life support. I knew these would be memories so I tried to capture all emotions. It was hard to ask Jesse and Sammi, his older sisters to smile. Michelle and Jimmy shared some positive moments--I am so happy they did because, regardless of what happened, James was a blessing.

It is weird to say that scrapbooking paper could influence me. But the vintage, soft beauty of Graphic 45 just felt right to do these layouts. The embellishments are regal and lovely, important enough for such important memories.

First: I adore this picture of Michelle and James. She is only proud in this moment.



Journaling reads: When you looked at James, you looked past the tubes and wires. You saw with all of the hope of what should have been. You pointed out his fingers and toes, and you celebrated his strong spirit. A loving mother and her son. Grateful. You should be proud.

And this one:





The poem was given to Michelle by the nurses at Yale New Haven. Michelle handed it to me at the funeral--I read it and cried. Then she asked me if I could read it as part of the eulogy. Gosh, that was difficult. But I knew how much it meant so I somehow got through it. I reached into my pocket the other day and pulled out the original. Thus, this layout. I put the original in the little 7 gypsies envelope.

And so life moves forward. There is a light back in Michelle's eyes, which is good. We will all march on, but we will never forget...