Family sunset maternity session

I had such a beautiful maternity session last evening at Downs Park in Pasadena: a lovely family of four is soon to be a family of five. The weather was perfect, the light was warm, and the pregnant momma was simply glowing…

Lizette and Tony are two of the sweetest people I’ve met, they recently found out they are having a little boy, they are so excited!

However, as we wrapped up our session, her husband found a letter tacked to a tree. It simply said, “Read Me .” So he did. I could tell by his demeanor it was not the letter he was expecting…it wasn’t some impassioned note about the beauty of life, but a heartfelt plea for help.

My heart sank as he read the words aloud…we discussed what to do, we wanted to leave a note but had no pen…I searched my bag 3 or 4 times, but couldn’t find anything to write with. The park was closing, there was no time to run back to my car for a pen and back to the beach. So, we flagged down the park ranger and passed the note to him. He said he would be vigilant, there wasn’t much else he could do.

I have been thinking about this individual all day, what they must have felt writing that letter, and praying that they didn’t “end things.” I wish I could sit down with this person and have a heart to heart, tell them about the times I’ve felt that way and how I’m so thankful I didn’t act on it. Tell them they are loved, whether they feel it or not. Tell them I care whether they live or die.

As I edit the session, I’m struck by the juxtaposition of this beautiful session and the note; and how truly divergent life can be for each individual. While one person is beaming with happiness, another is reaching out to strangers for help.

So, I’ve written a note to put in place of theirs that notes some reasons they shouldn’t give up, that things DO get better and life is worth living. If that person reads this letter, or this post, know that I truly care and want what’s best for them. I hope they find the desire to keep going, to keep fighting, to not give up. You are loved.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Cor. 13:13