the red one

The Garlick family’s friendship with ours is a gift directly from heaven. In one short year they transformed our lives– turning us into beekeepers, expanding my quilting skills tenfold, sharing jokes and recipes and Lisa bestowing her magic upon Mary as her fairy godmother. No one comprehends grief like a parent who has lost a child; and no one has a better understanding of what is most important in life. Lisa’s blog is a haven of beauty, joy and wisdom.

I typed and retyped my introduction to their family photos and finally plagiarized Lisa’s words:

Family photos…we all love them and yet at the same time dread having them taken. But no family agonizes over this quintessential life event more than a family who has lost a beloved member. The thought of recording this moment in time without them is absolutely unimaginable; as if accepting their absence and smiling about it.

The heartbreaking reality of The Garlick Press family photos continuing without The Red One was inconceivable…until last week. It has taken us over three years to muster the courage.

How I wish with all my heart and soul that our beautiful red-head Jocie was in this shot…that life had not snatched her out of our family photo. But do you see that bouquet of roses I’m holding?…those are for Jocie. Fifteen roses…one for each year of her life with us. Red of course, for her signature gorgeous red hair.

This is the family of The Garlick Press. I adore each and every single one of them. Our faces twinkle with joy and smiles and laughs…overshadowing the dark pain and sorrow from the past few years. My family is my life, my joy, and my hope for tomorrow! May yours be also…