If anyone can support this cause, it would mean the world to me. To find out why, please read what I have typed in below and my reasonings after:
“At the heart of it all, what matters most is:
Who has touched our lives and
Whose lives we’ve touched.
“Touching Souls Photography, supporting parents whose babies or children die, relies entirely on donations and gifts from individuals and organizations. Donated dollars are used to support direct expenses for the photographs made for families. Photographs taken during this precious time with parents and family become valuable mementos, serving as a gentle link to memories and feelings about their beloved child. The collection of photographs, presented reverently in an album at no charge to the family, is theirs to keep. The expense for this supportive service is approximately $750 per family.
“Touching Souls Photography is available to any family at no cost to them. Any donation amount is welcome and will help to provide this gift of photographs for a family at a time of great need.
“Make a donation now to support families throughout Chicago and suburbs:
“Online: www.toddhochberg.com and click on make a donation.
“By mail: Send a check payable to
Todd Hochberg Photography,
PO Box 5511, Evanston, IL 60204
“Or for more information, email funding@toddhochberg.com”
Keith and I just met with Todd today. It has been almost eighteen months since Mari passed. January 16th will be exactly 18 months (which is this coming Saturday). This man gave of his services almost 18 months ago and took those last photographs with our beloved angel on her last day here on this earth with us. Yes, I know this was not really hear. However, it was the last time that any of us got to spend anytime with her before she went to heaven.
When I set and finalized the appointment last Tuesday, and then hung up the phone, it took me only a couple of seconds to realized what I had really just done. I had scheduled this special time to go see Mari’s last day photos with us. It took all of about 3 or 4 seconds and I just broke down crying. I could not believe that in less than a week I would be seeing them. There was a couple of times over the last week I wanted to cancel the appointment. But something inside me said, “No, I need to see them.” So I kept the appointment. Today at 2pm (central time) Keith and I met at a friends house (Mandy K., as she was nice enough to open her home to us so we could meet the photographer today). She left us to be alone with this photographer.
Yes I cried, but the overall dread of seeing the photos was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. To know now that I have these photos of her is even more special to me than I could have ever imagined. To put it in this perspective. Imagine taking the one person you love the very most in all the world. Now know you only have one day left with them on this earth and you will never see them again until you die some day. That could be the next day or it could be 50 years from now or even more. Now you have someone out of the kindness of their heart who has given of their time to be able to take those last moments you have with that loved one. You will have them until the day you die. You won’t look at them all the time but you can look at them when you need to. I guess this is the best way to describe these photos and what they mean to me.
He will be sending me a CD of the pictures soon. When he does I will put the photos in a PowerPoint presentation to share with all of you. In the mean time I will post a couple at the end of this post.
The reason I am sharing all of this with you is if you feel lead in your heart to donate, please contribute to this cause. Even if it is only $5, that $5 will mean the world to another family out their as they too will now have their own last-minute photos of their own precious loved one, their beloved son or daughter.
I thank anyone in advance. If you do make a donation, please do it in Mariana Tunstall‘s name as a remembrance for her. Thank you.
I love you very much baby girl and mommy’s miss you so much.
Love Mommy
This is beautiful, Kristena. What a great cause.
Thank you Jill, that means a lot
Thank you Jill, that means a lot
Beautiful, Kristena! Thank you for sharing these photos and this cause. I will be looking for a time when I can share with them – it won't be what they deserve, but every little bit helps! What a wonderful gift to families!
I am glad I could do it. I just hope that it can help those to understand better what that last day was like for us. I am so thankful I have these pictures. They mean so much to me.My grief counselor things this was the neatest thing and is going to see what she can do to help with some fundraising as well. I think it is just the neatest thing to do for families like ours.
I am glad I could do it. I just hope that it can help those to understand better what that last day was like for us. I am so thankful I have these pictures. They mean so much to me.My grief counselor things this was the neatest thing and is going to see what she can do to help with some fundraising as well. I think it is just the neatest thing to do for families like ours.
I know the pictures we have of our Paul are some of the most precious I have – they all trigger memories – and they really helped me as I slugged my way through the grief process. I am glad you have a grief counselor to walk with you.
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful pictures of your angel's last moments on Earth. Showing those pictures are a wonderful way to celebrate her last moments of life. It was truly touching to read your comments as well. The death of a child can be the most painful thing in the world, but it was good to see that you had the comfort of your family there with you.
I came across your web page this morning and I was searching for Autism Awareness Marketing material.
Your story touched my heart is so many ways. In fact, I started crying before I completed reading your blog. I will never say “I know how you feel” I think you are a very strong MOMMY.
However, in reading your blog brought back so many memories regarding my 10 son with Autism..
I will keep you in my prays.
Sam
Sam,
Thank you for your kind words. I never how my writing may truly touch someone else.
I love reading your blog. You seem like a natural in sharing your experiences. I am starting my blog as well, do you think only natural writers can have something to share?
Thank you for you nice comment. Congrats on starting your new blog. No I don’t think natural writers are the only ones that have something to share. I believe everyone can do it. It just depends if they want to or not. I hope this helps.
I have to state, you chose your words well. The ideas you wrote on your encounters are well placed. This is an incredible blog!
these pictures brought me to tears. I see the sorrow in your eyes. Our Alissa died with no warning in an accident (she fainted and drowned in our bathtub). We didn’t have any last pictures together. We did have a friend take pictures of her and us with her at the funeral home though. Our Alissa was so beautiful, even in her casket, she looked like a sleeping beauty. I love pictures. The pictures you have both here and the other ones while your daughter was yet healthy, they are so very special.
I agree with you. For everyone, pictures are different. For me they are part of my memories. Not so much that you want to remember everything but these are my last memories with her alive and they are ever so meaningful.