Mama J

I have a soft spot for teachers. The idea of schools and teachers gives me the warm fuzzies. My mom was a teacher for 28 years and I admired her greatly. We always rode to school together and I would play in her classroom before school started. And when I "grew up," I would chaperone school trips with her class and visit her classroom for special events. When I became a flight attendant (that's another story), my mom convinced me to come to her classroom and give a presentation. I felt so dumb standing there in my flight attendant uniform showing a group of 5th graders how to buckle your seatbelt.

And then it was time for questions and they were fighting to ask me questions. (There must be some unwritten rule that whomever holds their arm in the air the highest and squirms like they have to go to the bathroom will get the next chance to ask their important question. I love the kids that don't really have a question prepared but rather like the contest of being picked and then do the "Um.... uh... do they have... videos games on airplanes?") I admit that this attention sure made a girl feel good. Yup, another reason to love teachers and school.

Those teachers leave lasting impressions on us. They shape us. And one such high school home ec teacher inspired Mama J Creations. Mama J was like a feisty grandma teaching you how to sew. The kind you love, but just can't help but put pins in your mouths to get her riled up!

And she would be proud to see the products bearing her nickname. They are so cute and stylish, and yes Mama J, so well made! 

I had the privilege of photographing some of the purses in the product line. The bags are works of art and I hope you enjoy the photographs... 

We all deserve the occasional pity party...

It was August 12, 2004, and it was to be the first day of our annual family Boundary Waters Canoe trip. Instead of heading north however, I was speaking in front of 700 people at my mom's funeral. Instead of paddling on the clean water dreaming about smores over the campfire, I was kissing my mom goodbye in the pine coffin we made for her. Life changed.

How could it not.

So last weekend I decided to go back to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area for the first time since her sudden death four years ago. It was only the second time in my life that I ventured there without her. Without her enthusiasm in meal and trip planning. Without her excitement about the adventures we will have. Without waking up to her reading her bible on some rock overlooking the water. Without her singing songs in the canoe as she paddled. Without her. Without my mom, my dear friend, forever.

My husband and I went. And I had a big pity party. I cried. And cried. And I tried bargaining with God...again. And my wonderful husband let me work through it. And then I felt lighter. And then I felt better. And then I had a great trip.

And next time will be easier. Or maybe it won't. But that's ok too. Anyone who is living through grief understands.

Fortunately I inherited my mom's insane optimism. I am told that the sparkle in my eyes has returned and I am able to feel real joy over God's many blessings. I still look forward to tomorrow and clap when I am happy and want to believe the best will always come. And it will.

I hesitated writing about this here. It is tempting to use the "happy photographer thoughts" filter and not mention anything else. But then that does not feel real. It does not feel like the open book that I tend to be.

And to be honest, these real life times make me a better photographer. They make me know how precious today is and want to capture it all the more. My photographs of my mom are the most precious physical things I have from her life. They are what I treasure the most.

A Kid's Life Photography Website