extraordinary everydays | charlotte family photographer
Melinda has been my dear friend since we were very young. Cousins and then, as years passed, we became dear friends.
In middle school one day, tired of waiting for the bus, we decided to walk what we thought was a short distance home (it seemed so short on the bus!). Many wrong turns, dead ends, and too many hours later we finally arrived home. I think that adventure sealed our friendship though. We’d been through a scary and challenging time together and it bonded us, it changed our friendship, to something deeper that has stayed strong even after all of these years.
heavy duty challenges
Melinda and Troy and their family have been through much more difficult challenges than that one day over 30 years ago when she and I set out on a trek to find our own way home. They’ve seen difficult times physically and emotionally. Most recently, they’ve battled cancer in their youngest daughter and Troy’s terrible, debilitating neck pain, together.
The thing that always makes me stand in awe of Melinda is the way she takes it all in stride, laughs, says, “for the love” when things aren’t going well and just keeps moving forward not encumbered by what’s behind them or in front of them. I know she has her moments, as we all do, but her default seems to be to not take it all too seriously while reminding herself that this moment, the one she’s currently in, is all that she can do anything about.
Her faith has astounded me. She’s seen miracles happen and it’s added to her trust that everything is working together for their good even if it’s not something she can see right now.
no such thing as ordinary
There’s something about having a child that is battling a life threatening illness that changes your days. For Melinda, she wants everyday to be as normal and as mundane as possible. Regular not full of drama. Because there’s a sacredness to the everyday that is missed when you know your child is fighting something so big. The little things…going to school like it’s no big deal…those things are not so everyday. Those moments that we think are ordinary are extraordinary to them.
Thank you Melinda. For letting me see your life and for the deep way you live it without even realizing it.
From Melinda’s perspective:
We are LOVING the slide show. We can’t watch it enough. It is so awesome. Love the way you can feel the special moments and how it can capture what life is like and what it’s all about. Some just make me cry i.e. Troy kissing Brin and Jordyn loving the bunny so tenderly. The sweetness of my kids with their niece. Me walking away from Jaxon and him being sad. The look on Brinley face when I leave her in line. Excited yet nervous. It captures the sweet joys of being a mom and the hard/emotional moments, too.I am in love. I wish we could have something like this for everyday. I picture this is what heaven will be like when we get to watch the movie of our life. All the lives we touched and didn’t even know. Like you. You have touched my heart so deeply and I’m an so overly grateful. Thank you, thank you. This is one of the greatest treasures in life… Moments documented in our lives that only come once. I love you and I am honored that you did this for me. You are amazing. -Melinda
Davina Fear , Charlotte family photographer and Familyness Adventurer. She believes in bed time chats, bike rides down mountains, and in families who see that real life doesn’t have to be polished to be beautiful.
She blogs at davinafear.com, and creates photo documentaries for families who have days where everyday is anything but ordinary, going to school is a big deal, and growing up feels like it’s happening too fast. If you’re like the Raven Family, and don’t want to miss this moment, get in touch by writing to davina@davinafear.com
Leave a reply