December Film | Cle Elum Family Photographer

Growing up there were many things I considered "normal"...it wasn't until much later that I realized that I had lived an unusually blessed childhood.

I believed that families ate dinner together. That they all went camping during the summers. My family was not plagued by addiction. My dad had a steady job and mom could stay at home to raise us. I believed that extended family gatherings involved home-made pizza, some time of worship and prayer. I believed that parents who stayed together were the norm, not the exception. I believed that conflict was settled by talking it out, no matter how much the tears sting, the end result was usually resolution and a hug. One by one the beliefs that I thought were normal crumbled as I entered the field of social work and addiction. I soon realized just how blessed to have parents who set the standard high for my sister & I.

It was a little over one year ago that my family seemed to be hanging in the balance...not knowing how we were going & crawling out of fear and darkness. We had just lost our uncle and my mom was heading into a surgery where we were 100% uncertain of the outcome. After nearly 5 hours of surgery a 15 pound tumor was removed from my moms abdomen -- it was free of cancer! Its amazing how something like the events of the last year can completely change my perspective. I realize how lucky we are to have each other, and our health and the wealth of memories we share.

When Taylor and I went to visit in early December I asked my parents if I could take a couple photographs to remember where we are at today. And to reflect on where we have been in the last year. There is a sweet nostalgia about their house, nestled in the quiet mountains, that begs me to make memories there. I hope that when Taylor looks back he will remember the ruggedness and the comfort of Grandma & Grandpa's house in the snow.

**Nikon F100, expired Kodak Portra 800, developed and scanned at the FIND lab **