A Thanksgiving story of sorts…

Many years ago, I got a call from a young wife who wanted a very special family portrait. You see, she had been diagnosed with cancer and she wanted to make sure her husband had a memory of happier times.

Of course I would do it. Although I normally did not take any new jobs after Halloween so that I could have a pleasant Christmas season myself I agreed to meet them at the Scottsdale Civic Center. When I saw them coming toward me their huge golden retriever bounded toward me with the biggest smile on his face. After a big hug for him and introducing myself to them, we got to work.

She didn’t have much energy and I could see she was already fatiguing after the first few minutes, so I worked as hard and fast as I could to give them images that they could use for Christmas cards and gifts. When I would do a family portrait I would always make sure to zero in on each person‘s face so that there would be added opportunities for other uses. When I zoomed in on their dog, this is what I got.

It’s always better to give than to receive and so for this Christmas season I handed them a disc and wished them well. After a heartfelt thank you from her I never heard from them again, but every time this photo comes up in my memories I think of them and I smile.