Sweet Parker (Preview!) | Shands Hopsital Portraits | Gainesville, Florida
For those who have been following along on my personal Facebook, you already know what’s been going on in the past few days with little baby Parker.
If you aren’t aware yet; this week, one of my portrait clients contacted me, and told me all about Parker & his family. He is a 16-month-old baby boy suffering from painful, and terminal cancer.
We made the decision to contact the family, and volunteer my time to go Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida, and document some of his very precious time on this earth, and to create some special portraits of him. They agreed, and even decided to have his twin brother, Drew, come down to Shands for the first time, so the brothers got to see each other for the first time in 4 months!
His doctors have decided to end treatments. Next week, his family will take him to a hospice house near their home.
I keep trying to write the correct words to convey how very precious he is, and how wonderful it is to spend time with him and his family…
But I don’t have a big enough vocabulary, so I’m going to just share some
of my favorite moments over the next few days. Hopefully, you’ll get a sense of what it’s like to be filled with every emotion imaginable, when preparing for the end of a child’s life.
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For more information on Parker’s journey, you can visit here:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/parkerlamendola/
(More photographs and more stories about him coming soon!)
January 30th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Such a precious baby!! My prayers are with this family. I am praying that God will send His Comorter down to them. May his last days on this earth be peaceful and restful with no pain.
January 30th, 2010 at 10:57 am
The pictures are beautiful..The family will cherish these forever..
We as parents should cherish every second,min,hour,days,months and years that we have
with our children!
My prayers are with this family!
January 30th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
These are the most precious pictures and what a gift you have given this family. My prayers are with this little one and his family.
February 1st, 2010 at 8:26 am
I don’t know this precious family, but my heart is burdened for you.
Parker is a true gift from Heaven. I am still praying for a miracle!
Heavenly Father please heal Parker.
February 1st, 2010 at 8:27 am
Amazingly beautiful picures of little Parker. His journey here is much too short.
February 1st, 2010 at 8:28 am
Carrie you are so awesome. You have a special way about you and it shows through your photographs. Although I have only met you a couple of times, this is the type of thing that has drawn me to be such a huge fan of your work. Thank you for the inspiration that you give. My thoughts and prayers are with this family and this precious little one. Much Love to all you guys in south Georgia from this guy in north Georgia.
February 1st, 2010 at 9:02 am
Carrie~ I have not been on facebook in awhile so I didn’t know about this family. As I watched this video of pictures I wept. You are such a gifted photographer. I know this family will cherish this forever. I pray healing over little Parker! And strength for his family!!!
February 1st, 2010 at 12:40 pm
What a sweet gift you gave this family.Children are true gifts from God and this little boy was an extra special gift. We will pray for peace of mind and comfort. I tried not to cry, but this is sad and sweet all in one. Great Job Carrie.
February 1st, 2010 at 3:06 pm
There are no words….I can’t imagine what this family is going through!! You did a great job and I know his parents will cherish the memories. My prayers are with them!!
February 1st, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Words can not describe how beautiful this video is as are the people in it. My prayers are with all of you. Parker is an Angel. Thank God for him.
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:48 pm
What a wonderful gift you are giving to this family and I KNOW you well enough to understand that this has to be a mixed blessing - good feelings and heartache. I am so proud of you.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:29 pm
The picture of the mom and her baby (third on blog post) is making me cry - it is one of the most beautiful pictures I have ever seen.
Much love and prayers for this family.
February 4th, 2010 at 10:08 am
What an Awsome gift you gave this family! Something they can treasure forever! I don’t know you, but you sound like a great person and you took some wonderful pictures! Thank you! Praying for the family!
February 4th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Laurel Beth and Greg,
These pictures are beautiful and will be cherished forever. Parker will be an angel in God’s heaven. We can be assured of that. I love you all.
Love,
Ann Wilson