Brandy Day287: Truth Of It All

‘When you are in the final days of your life, what will you want?  Will you hug that college degree in the walnut frame?  Will you ask to be carried to the garage so you can sit in your car?  Will you find comfort in rereading your financial statement?  Of course not.  What will matter then will be the people.  If relationships will matter most then, shouldn’t they matter most now?’-Max Lucado

This is where I will begin again.  I made a commitment with Chandler and I got away from that.  I let ‘life’ get in the way and chipped away a small part of a very important relationship.  I want to finish this.  Not because I have to.  Not because my ‘mommy sat me down spoke firmly to me’.  I need to because Chan & I were in this together.  In 19 years, Chandler has stood by my side and loved me unconditionally.  Chandler has watched me fall and climb back up, never once judging me, but hurting for me because he loved me. I’m sorry I have let you down Chan!  I love you bud ❤

Brandy Day339: Kelly2

This photo seems like a good place to start. My apologies for being absent and not following through with a commitment.  Life is pretty good at throwing struggles at you and watching you fail. Kelly for example, I introduced him at the first if the year. A man who changed my day and I spoke of many times this year, sharing his struggles and the way he affected me.  Unbeknownst to me, Kelly and I had a connection. Rebecca, a good friend of mine whom I’ve known for years, works alongside the police and city to help the homeless. She does so much for them, I don’t know where to begin. I can end with, this is Kelly in his new apartment. Yes. Rebecca got him off the streets and housed. When she text me this photo today, my life changed. It was in the middle of a shit week, where I thought, “Seriously?! Anything else?” Yes, there was something else. Something good. I’ve said no more than ten words to a gentleman whose had a year of impact on me. This is humanity. Thank you, not only to Rebecca, The Pour House, but all those who donate items, time & compassion to help others have faith in a world where faith has been forgotten, like so many on the streets. I simply ask, the next time you want to clean out your closets and head to GoodWill for that extra $30, donate those items to a local organization that helps directly with those lost & forgotten. Spend an extra $5-$10 at the grocery on dry goods for someone in need.

*SideNote: I have photos, I have words I know I owe you 🙂 Thank you for your continued support!

Chandler Day 313: A Tough Assignment

For my photo assignment this weekend I was told to take photos of my dad. I knew this would be hard because neither of my parents enjoy having their photos taken and they don’t cooperate very well. But I had to take the photos. This was the best one that I could get, which wasn’t very satisfying. Hopefully I will get a better portrait of him soon though. But it is interesting to see how people react to their photo being taken. Some love it and they know how to make a great picture. Because a good portrait is not made by just the photographer. Others don’t like it so much but they can make for wonderful photos too. Others hate it and some people are very hard to make good photos of. People are challenging but they certainly are worth it.

Brandy Day286: A New Kind Of Forever

Today it arrived, 8 years 5 months & 5 days. I guess I always assumed that the headstone would make it hurt more. Finalize things. The truth of it though, it brought some much needed, long overdue peace.
I’m not sure how to explain it in words. I never questioned when his parents would have it or what would be on it. The realization of it all came on my birthday. Then I was shown the rough draft and cried. Cried because of the meaning. The existence behind something that had been missing.
Momma Lynch text me today saying it had arrived, and with the text she sent pictures. I cried. I couldn’t breathe. Not from sadness but from the overwhelming feeling of comfort. Obviously I finished what I was in the middle of doing and headed to the cemetery. It was more beautiful in person. Artistically amazing, just as he was. The two circles on the bottom corners are medals that his family was given after donating to save others. ❤ The back, among other items, holds two beautiful pieces left longer than any life or memory. The top left corner holds my exact turtle tattoo. His mom says when he left he took a part of me. The bottom right corner says 'Love, Jordan', my most favorite thing ever. It's traced so it's his handwriting. Signed almost to insinuate this is the end.
His parents and brother did an amazing job putting something together that no family should have to do for a child or younger sibling.
I love you guys to the moon & back and I'm more than certain he wouldn't change a thing on it if given the opportunity.
40,000 Americans die yearly by suicide, making it the 10th leading cause of death. Every 13.3 seconds someone takes their own life, leaving those who love them to live in a whirlwind of confusion, depression and a life without closure.

Brandy Day285: 4 x 50# & >

These kids!! Onyx, Oliver, Haylee & Lillian creekside for Sunday Funday. Onyx & Haylee are my bestfriend,  Alicia,  dogs. We took them down to the creek to burn off some energy as hers had been couped up coming off her 6 day in a row work week and mine because of the rain. They chased tennis balls up creek for well over an hour. They all got along great and are now completely worn out. Glad we were able to get them out and enjoy such a beautiful fall day!
Alicia has been a great friend and always super supportive. (She was the one in the night photo making a heart with me and our arms) People like her are hard to find. Loyal, forgiving, understanding, supportive, honest, generous….Thank you. I cannot wait for our shenanigans in a week!!!!

Brandy Day284: Indiana Short Film Festival

Eeek!!! The day finally came!! I’ve spoke of this before, last April we shot our short film, Chronicles of a Dead Man. George Kirtley wrote & funded the film, KC filmed it & me, well I kept the boys in line and was in KCs ear and third arm as well as still shots.
I had such an amazing time working with them. Tonight our film was shown in Danville, IN and it was awesome. George & KC attended the Trail Dance Film Fest in Oklahoma earlier this year, but this was my first.
Thank you for an amazing opportunity to be a part of something so awesome & fun, George & KC.

(This is not my photo, but taken by a gentleman taking photos of the whole event, Steve Smith)

Brandy Day283: B&R!!!

What!!! Big & Rich are coming’ to the city!!! Scored some free tickets for the show and I cannot wait!!
I LOVE live music!!! I cannot get enough!! Attending shows on any level is like breathing!!

Brandy Day282: Missing Piece

The tree itself and its reflection seem to make a heart with a little piece missing.
I shot this down at the creek while playing ball with Oliver. I cannot explain the joy I get from seeing them happy!  Watching he and Lilly having such an awesome time down at the creek, swimming, playing ball & chasing each other. Really, no greater joy. They are such a huge part of my heart and without them I’d be lost. The bond you can form with a dog is irreplaceable.

Brandy Day281: He Should Have Been Named Lunar :-)

Not sure where to start with this. I was told his name was Freeney. Found out his name is Riggs. He’s 4 years old and lucky to be alive.
I was up early to shoot the lunar eclipse and sunrise. I went to what was familiar, where I knew I’d be able to shoot moonset and sunrise in an opposite field. I noticed him when I first turned down the road. I didn’t know I’d be saving his life just a few minutes later. A car that was going way too fast hit this poor guy. Stopped briefly and just kept going. I did what I had to. At 7am not very many people are around. A homeowner came out and kindly helped get him on a blanket and into the back of my truck. I immediately took him to VCA Animal Hospital. They were able to find him microchipped and tracked down the owners. He was in shock and severe pain as he had a broken pelvis & two broken hips and countless lacerations.
I never got photos of the lunar eclipse nor the sunrise, though I was able to be a part of saving his life.
Thank you to the staff at VCA for being so amazing and all your help. Here’s to a quick recovery with your family and your little boy who’s stoked to have his puppy back home. 

Brandy Day280: Human Sinkhole

Today wasn’t easy. Maybe its the weather, I feel like I’m lost in Seattle. However the sun has set so I cannot complain. Rain through the day makes for long ones & hyper dogs.
Driving for sunset accepting I may not see much of one, this reflection caught me. Flooding the hole in the middle of the road, deceiving those that pass through, painting that which surrounds it, catching true colors.
Oddly enough I stopped, got out of my truck and stood there,  ‘reflecting’ on recent days, prior to taking this photo. The beauty captured reflected so much.