As a photographer most of the time, I try my best to capture moments that will keep memories fresh and new for those wonderful people who ask me to photograph their dreams or family. I have found it both a passion and an honor to share those dreams.
Memories of my life have flooded in the last months. Memories of my child hood especially have been played over and over in the recordings of my mind and heart.
Over the last seven months, Susan and I have lost our parents. Her mom was the first to go, a few months later her dad was gone. In the two years that I have had to get to know Irene and Herm, I came to love them for the special people they were. Susan, Kelly and I miss them greatly
Just over a month ago, became very ill, we lost her just over a weak ago. Time will bring healing to our hearts but we have great comfort knowing that these three people are at home with the Lord. I lost my dad almost 30 years ago.
There is never an easy way to get through losing loved ones to death but we know that this isn’t the end, just the beginning of a new eternity for them.
There has been lots of rain this year like the sorrow or our hearts. With the rain just as with the sorrow comes an awesome display of love in our hearts. I believe that God takes us into his arms when we are going through the loss of a loved one where he restores our soul with gladness.
Susan loves roses, something that has been a passion of mine for a long time as well. She has a rose garden that she has nurtured for 25 + years. This year, they are putting on a display of wonder and beauty as they are covered with large blooms. As we walk in the garden often to see what is blooming, we are always amazed at the beauty God has blessed us with this year. There are two yellow rose bushes in our garden that are pretty new. Even though they are new to the garden, they have put forth beauty that lives up to their reputation.
We picked one full open rose and one just starting to open to create a photograph of remembrance for our parents. Like the yellow rose, the memories they bring are of love and warmth. Memories live on in our hearts as we remember our family that rebuild the joy of those relationships.
The verse we choose represents our hearts as we know that there will be a time of reunion that will begin in eternity once God chooses to close the doors to this current world for each of us. We rejoice in the memories of our parents and we will give thanks to Him forever for the memories and love He showed us through our parents.
God bless you all…Share all the love you can as it does go on forever.
Charles and Susan Hilton
