Missing My Father

It was 3 years ago today, that my father lost his brave battle against pancreatic cancer. He was the most amazing man I have ever known. He was an ER physician and he saved lives every day of his adult life. Every one that knew him loved him. One thing I am so grateful for is that I met my husband in October 2005 after I moved to Pennsylvania and we knew instantly that we were going to get married. I took him home to Alabama for Christmas 3 months later so he could meet my family. My father was in the hospital, so we spent Christmas there and my husband was able to meet my father and ask him for my hand in marriage and less than a month later, my father was gone. I know it was God's special timing to allow that to happen. These are some of my favorite pictures I took of him or of us together before he passed away.

When he found out he had cancer, I was living in NYC. Between radiation rounds he came up for us to spend my birthday together and have a father-daughter weekend. He took me to Tavern on the Green in Central Park for my birthday and I took this photo of him while we were waiting for our food. It was rumored at the time (2005) that the Yankees were going to build a new stadium, so I took my father to the Bronx and we toured the historic facilities. This is him out on the field.

My father was a great musician (he played electric and acoustic guitars) and he loved the Beatles. During our special weekend, we went to visit the place that honors John Lennon in front of his home where he was gunned down.

In the spring of his last year (before we knew he was sick), while visiting my family in Alabama for Easter, we went to the park and I took portraits. This is him with my 8 month old pug, Oliver (who is now almost 4).

A picture of me and my father at my college graduation in 2004.

This was taken on the porch of the house I grew up in in Alabama on the day I left home for the Big Apple. Seen here is my mom, sister (Chrisie), me and my dad.

Inauguration

With the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama upon us, I thought I would share with you my photos from the last inauguration in 2005 of President Bush. I was living in NYC, working as a freelancer, and I rode down to D.C. on a Greyhound bus to cover it for a newspaper.

This is a picture of the Capitol building during the swearing-in ceremony.A close-up during the ceremony. I was way far back in the crowd.
Then after the swearing-in of the President, there is a wonderful parade through the center of downtown D.C. Every state tries to be represented and this is the float from Hawaii. The little boy looked right at me and the colors were so vibrant that it made it my favorite shot of the day.


I love this close-up I got of the French horns of a military band.

After the day's events are over, the streets start to empty out.

I had a stranger take this photo of me as I was about to get back on the bus to NYC.