Happy Mother's Day

 "This is your best picture of any fighter." - college hockey teammate and friend - Eldon Jamieson.

"This is your best picture of any fighter". These words from a friend, Eldon Jamieson, really made an impact on me. I have photographed the top UFC fighters in the world. I have photographed Georges St. Pierre a half dozen times, Cain Velasquez, Jake Shields, Quinton Jackson, Lyoto Machida... the list goes on. But, I had never photographed someone, precious to me, that was fighting for their life... until now. This image taken in the emergency room as dad prayed for God's healing hand tells a strong story, especially to those that know my family.

On May 9, I decided to step away from work and watch a little of the NHL play-offs. I'm a big hockey fan and have enjoyed a number of the series this year. My phone was a few feet away charging on silent mode.

At 8:01pm on Wednesday, May 9, I received a text from my brother saying, "Dave call me... Mom is in the hospital". Life stood still as my mind went into over-drive. I called my brother in law who was at the hospital with my family. He said, "it looks like mom's had a heart attack and is in serious condition." A person in their 20s would have a hard time sustaining a heart rate hitting 180 BPM so at 77 years old, and having battled cancer with chemotherapy treatment, everyone knew the seriousness of what my mom was going through. Fluid had been consuming her lungs as her frail organ did it's best to pump life giving oxygen throughout her collapsed body. Defibrillator paddles were brought in.

On Saturday, May 5th, I had visited my family to celebrate my brother in law's birthday. It was a fun day. As Cecilia and I were leaving, I asked her if she would take a photo of mom and I. Mom pulled me close and gave me a tight hug like she always does. The smile on her face said it all. She was proud of me, and I of her. She told me "this is the first picture of just you and I since you were 4 months old." I had no idea. We've had a lot of family pictures, but I hadn't posed with just my mother ever in my life. How insane is that?

 (My mom and I on May 5 just 4 days before her heart failure.)

I came home from the hospital on Wednesday night not knowing if my mom would be alive the next morning. She had stabilized but you never know. I came home and wrote this short Mother's Day Poem around midnight.

 Happy Mother's Day

the life i knew

tucked in

safely

reassured

by a kiss

by stories

at bed time

love

pure

tonight

i was able

to return

the favor

you didn’t know

but as i tucked

your feet in

in er

your heart hurting

beating irregular

fighting

for life

memories

of days gone by

were front

and center

your smile

stays with me

a photograph

by impulse

remembering

a great day

this weekend

mothers day

i’m thankful

for you

you will

be with me

no matter what

i want

to tell you

i love you

one more time

I want you

to know

you’re not alone

you’re loved

as you loved me

forever

mom

happy mother’s day

always

 

I have spent a good part of every day since May 9 beside my mom at the hospital. She's been diagnosed with heart disease and goes for tests early this coming week. I want to take a moment to thank everyone for their continued prayers and positive thoughts. It means the world to me and I know it's making an impact on bettering my mom's health. Thank you and keep them coming.