Most of you reading know about Carmen. She is the sweetest little girl, turning 3 next month. She has an awful terrible illness, a terminal disease called Tay-Sachs. Carmen’s parents, Dave and Lana, are two of the most inspirational people I have ever met. If you don’t already, you must subscribe to their blog.
Today we met at the Franciscan Monastery in DC . I had never heard of it till a day ago.. when I was searching for the perfect place for Carmen’s 3 year photos. It is a quiet, beautiful, green oasis in Northeast DC.
Carmen wore the same beautiful Guatemalan dress that she wore for her one year pictures. I can’t believe she still fits into it because she has grown a lot since then! Her big sister Lauren, who is five years old now, is just the nicest, most soft-spoken little girl in the world. I absolutely adore her. She is sporting some eyeglasses now and I think they suit her so perfectly. She has grown so much since last year as well.
But enough chattering from me.. here are some pictures!! Let me preface by saying, that today, I stepped out of my comfort zone a little. I usually focus on the child, letting the environment fade away in the background. Today, because of the location we were in and because I wanted something different for them, I tried to use the environment around us to play a role in the photographs.
Carmen has such beautiful long hair and eyelashes. I just love this photograph. It also makes me sad. In my head I can imagine a happy, healthy, almost 3 year old Carmen, dancing around in her red dress, her hair flying. It just is not fair.
Sisters.
Last one for now.
To me, this is what I imagine the reality of Tay-Sachs is in the Coddington’s everyday life. Carmen’s disease is center stage and in focus.. and the ‘rest of their life’ has taken a backseat… but they are stronger now than before, they have each other and their children.. they have their faith and love.
Thank you Dave and Lana, for inspiring me and I am sure hundreds of others.
xoxo, Rashmi
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