This is definitely the most difficult post I’ve ever written. I’ve rewritten it over and over in my head a million times, and finally decided to just start typing because the thing is, it doesn’t matter what i type. Just before I walked into a seminar this morning I read the email that I hoped to never read. Sara Walker has gone home. She suffers no more, she has her reward and is rejoicing with her precious daughter. While I have no doubt about any of that, my earthly mind cannot wrap itself around why things like this have to happen. My heart breaks for those left behind. My children are around the same age as hers, and she and I are the same age. I think that makes it so much closer to home to me, and really makes me think about the things I’m spending my time and energy on. Does it really matter? Am I doing the things that I need to be? Am I nurturing the relationships that Jesus wants me to? Am I seeking Him in all that I do? I can’t honestly say I’m happy with my answers to those questions right now and that is a problem. I was not personally friends with Sara, though I know many that were, but I feel like I knew her because she wrote so candidly on her caringbridge site and later her website throughout her illness. Through these writings, Sara taught me to savor. I wouldn’t say I’m very good at it yet, but it’s in my mind, and I can feel it chipping away at me on so many levels. I WANT to savor the day, savor the time I have here with those that I love, and those I can help. In a post a few months ago, she prayed, “…open my eyes to the gifts I know I am still missing, failing to catch as they float to the ground but You send them anyway because You are my faithful Father.” I know that I am missing LOTS of them, but I pray that I can be more aware and more intentional, and it’s because of Sara. While I can only imagine that she had her down days, the things that she wrote and the encouragement that she was to me through those writings, and I know to so many others is eye opening and even life changing. I am certain that I would not be as courageous, but I’m so thankful that she was. She definitely praised Him in the storm, and not only that, but she helped others to do the same!! In January of 2011, shortly after she received her diagnosis, I had the honor of photographing her family. I pray that these images will conjure up wonderful memories of the woman she was on earth for her husband and sons and all of her family in the months and years to come. This is why I do what I do. I ask that you keep this precious family in your prayers, and friends, let’s start savoring!
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Beautiful words, Chesley. I didn’t know Sara, but just from your posts and reading her blog, she sounds like an amazing and inspirational person. I know that her family will forever be grateful to you for the wonderful momentos that you captured for them.
So well put, so beautiful. I cried yesterday when the email came. I have followed her sense the beginning. I had the same cancer as well. I watched her fight and felt I knew her, though we never met. I pray for her family & her boys right now. They will cherish these pictures.
thank you for sharing this…what beautiful words and truth in savouring the blessings and moments that are given.
Wonderfully said Chesley. I started following her story fro the beginning because of this very photo session. I have read every post she has written and have been amazed at every single one of them. She reminded me so much of my mother, down to the months they were both diagnosed (December) and months they lived with this awfull illness (20 months), and both passed in August. My mother had this same kind of strengthm and you are right, I hope to never have to find out if I have it in me to be that strong. I unfortunately already know that answer. I felt that I was too young to lose my mother at age 30. There is no “good” age, but I have been heartbroken since day one for Sara because of how young her children are. It certainly makes you hold your own children a little tighter. I have held my breath every time I have gotten an email the past few weeks. I am relived for her that her pain is over, but heartbroken for her family and the new journey they are about to go through.
This made me cry. I started reading about Sara after your first post about her. Her story touched my heart as I had lost a baby and words can’t describe holding a child that aw your future that would never be. Her Anna was beautiful . As baby Jake was to us. Sara had a grace that touched my heart and will forever remind me of her grace.
Chesley, you have no idea what these images mean to her family up to this point, and will continue as the years go by. You perfectly captured Sara and the entire family. Love you and so many have been blessed by your gift!!
Beautifully put, friend. It made me cry! What an amazing prayer you quoted. That was always one of the things I loved most about her posts…her prayers. I know her family will treasure your gift you shared with them forever!
Thank you for this post!!! How sweet and true!!
God bless you for sharing this with all of us. You made my tears smile for Sara’s family. They have joy still, for they still have Sara’s memories.
Chelsey, what a gift of sweetness that her family will have to see the smiles and remember the giggles through your photos. Sara touched my life when she and my daughter were in college together. Her heart for God shone then and obviously, only got brighter with each year. I know of no one who exemplified more following Jesus and trusting Him always. Her writings and journey encouraged my husband and me so very much during our own cancer struggle though it has been nothing compared to hers. Her beauty truly was inside and out as my daughter has said. Thank you for using your giftedness to capture this lovely family. You have blessed us all with these memories. . .
Such a beautiful heartfelt message Chelsey. Yes, Sara encouraged so many people throughout her no doubt painful journey, but she walked it with passion and conviction for her Lord and for her family. It is not something that I have seen to many people do so fervently. What an inspiration and blessing she shared with us all. I could only hope to become better for having read her encouraging words. I pray for her family left behind but know that they too were so encouraged by her love and example. God is good and I hope to someday meet with Sara and my loved ones and friends who have gone before me at those pearly gates…
So beautifully done! I did not know Sara personally but she was a good friend of my niece. She shared with us Sara’s tragedy and we have been praying for her and her family. These pictures will be cherished by her sons in years to come. They will always remember the beautiful godly woman and mother she was inside and out. To her husband and mother and father, they will always remember that day and be reminded of the love they will continue to feel for her. What a wonderful reminder of who Sara Walker is and how we should savor everyday as it was our last. Thank you for sharing your words and pictures of such a remarkable creation of God!