As I reflect on 2021, I can’t help but think about all the families I created with, and my heart is full. I care so deeply for them and about this work. Documenting their family stories and crafting meaningful experiences and art for them is a true honor.
Some of my favorite memories:
- Meeting new faces, including the recruitment of a family dressed as produce to boost morale in my town of Alameda.
- Reconnecting with returning families and delivering real, in-person hugs…and even sleepovers! Quite different from 2020 when we stood a million feet apart.
- Getting vaccinated! And then boosted!
- Thanks to this beautiful community, we raised $1000+ for COVID relief in India and Palestine. The sessions sold out in 1 day. Thank you!
It was a doozy of a year, but we all showed up to life AND even prioritized time for photos. The thought that they trusted me with their most precious memories AND got dressed for such an event is what warms this sappy soul. In all this uncertainty, one this is for sure: I’m a better human for having spent time in their company. Really, I can’t imagine being part of a better community of open-hearted families. They deserve a gold medal for all the mental gymnastics surrounding schedule reshuffling and the Q-tips they probed up their noses to keep everyone safe.
[wipe tears away].
Happy New Year!
