Adjusting

The Guidry’s are Our People.  We’ve only known them for six years, but our friendship was fast and immediate.  Cyndi and I went deep on our first lunch date and have been close friends ever since.  Our husbands also had an instant connection.  Then they moved to Newberg and were a mere two miles from our house.  ALL THE PRAISE HANDS!  We started Supper Club, took frequent after dinner walks, played corn hole, sat on their patio and chatted into the wee hours, and just did life together.  They are on my Emergency Contact list and we are on theirs.  They are our People.

This May tragedy struck their family when Alex, Cyndi’s husband, died unexpectedly and tragically.  The months that have followed have been the hardest of all of our lives.  His absence leaves a gaping hole, and we are all grieving.  But life… It doesn’t stop.  It marches on in its convoluted mess of joy and sorrow, grief and contentment, milestones and the mundane.  My Cyndi and her kids are grieving authentically AND they are choosing joy in each day.

Cyndi’s twin sons deployed with the Navy in October.  We won’t see them again until September, just before her daughter’s wedding.  It made sense to do family photos before the twins deployed, but man…  it wasn’t an easy day.  Did we laugh and have fun?  100%.  Was the sorrow lurking just below the surface?  100%.

I am proud of my friend.  Proud of her kids.  They are walking a journey of deep suffering and they are doing it so courageously. Thank you Jesus for being our portion.  Please continue to show up in each day and each moment.  To you goes the glory.

#jodistilpphotography #familyportraits #reallife #griefandjoy