18 sentiments shared

Gathering memories.

It’s often said I’m lucky I have so many photos of Ava. It’s a difficult thing – if I wasn’t “into” photography, would I have had more time to just sit and play with her? Or would I have just been into something else that took me out of the house all together? I’m lucky I haven’t worked at a 9-5 job for some years so got to be around her a lot but it’s never going to be enough. If I could swap the thousands of images to have played with her more, I would, in a heartbeat. So the photos are wonderful and let me remember so much more than I might have but they also make me want to jump back to those very moments, put the camera down, and just play and enjoy and truly cherish.

So anyway, a few months back, I was frantic to get every photo of Ava into some kind of album. Unfortunately, the Virgo in me would never let me throw anything together so I’ve slowed myself down and accepted that it will take me months, nay years, to get the thousands of photos I have into beautiful books.

I have made a start though, I’ve ordered one! I printed this blog into a book through Blurb (www.blurb.com) in both soft and hardcover so I can see how they come out. I should get them in a couple of weeks and will let you know. The postage was more than the books, dammit, but will be worth it if they’re nice.

Finally, some new, old photos of Ava. Taken just before Xmas….Ava ate one of the pom poms off that brand new dress and I was a cranky mama over it at the time. I guess I’m glad now because when I pull out that dress and see one missing, I’ll get to remember us in grandad’s garden that afternoon…

1. Lynda says:

   Can never be enough photos of Ava. Such a beautful child. She is always looking at Mummy/camera with so much love.

   
2. Shayne Hope says:

   Sheye,

   I have a 9-5 job and the responsibility of my own business, even though I work 3 days/week, work still finds me when I am at home. When lachlan was little work was really stressful and I was so worried about it that I can’t remember much of him as a baby. I only have photos and video. My memory is really foggy.

   Anyhow, The book sounds lovely and I am going to ask Danielle and Noel to do it. Your books are going to be unreal if they are the photos off this blog.

   Ava’s dress is so sweet.

   Love to you and your family,

   Shayne

   
3. amy J. says:

   Sheye,

   I’m very much like, living my life through my lens alot of the time. But you know what, it is who I am and how I spend time with my family. The expect it of me and I truly wouldn’t have it any other way. You were there sweetie…don’t fret over that. Just be thankful you are gifted with the camera and could capture all those moments at the same time. Every shot brings back a memory and that can only help to always keep her alive in your heart and mind.

   I’ve often said that is my house was about to burn I’d risk my life to go back in, after everyone was out safe, to get all my family photos. My most prized possessions by far. I tried to put my blog into a Blurb book too, but it’s just too big. I’d be curious to know what yours looks like and how pleased you were with it.

   
4. tara says:

   lovely shots of your lovely ava. she knew you were there for her, that’s all that matters. she had a charmed life, of that you can tell thru the photos!
   tara

   
5. Lea says:

   Oh I had a giggle at the pom pom..how Ava is that!

   Amy J is so right, you were there for all of those memories & have captured them beautifully, what a treasured ‘gift’.

   Much love Lea xo

   
6. Fari says:

   Oh Sheye! Dont be so hard on yourself. You are so lucky you have so many beautiful pictures of Ava that you can look at and remember her happy life, not only you, but even her siblings can look at them in the future and remember her. So many people dont even have that. I read your whole blog and the dedication and love you have for her and your other kids, its more then obvious and Ava knew that too.

   I hope I am making some sense.

   
7. Christine says:

   gorgeous photos of the gorgeous Ava! You can feel your love Sheye, in each and every image. I know Ava feels it too.

   
8. Lisa says:

   She truly was a beautiful, happy little girl Sheye xx
   Her aura just radiates off these pages & butter wouldn’t melt in that mouth :o)

   These images of Ava you will have forever & you will remember those treasured days so clearly because of them. What a wonderful legacy for Ava & your family.

   xxx

   
9. Vanessa and Kara says:

   Beautiful as always Sheye.

   Whenever you doubt yourself as a mother, look at the images you captured of your Princess. Every photo of Ava radiates happiness, love and pure beauty. You were doing everything right…she was(and is) soooo loved.

   
10. AnneMarie says:

    sweet memories you hold…
    I am so happy to be home with my kids- it is truly a blessing!! I take so many photos as well and sometimes I wonder if it’s too many… but you remind me it’s the moments that I capture and will share with others.. it is time well spent :)

    
11. Anne Marie says:

    You don’t know me, but I have been reading your blog and praying for your family. This weekend I couldn’t find my daughter – she is almost three. Oftentimes we can’t find kids that age – but this time I REALLY couldn’t find her. It was a hot day and our car was parked in the driveway. If I hadn’t read about Ava, I wouldn’t have thought to look in the car – which is where my daughter had climbed in and completely buckled herself in to her seat and was stuck. I don’t share that to bring back bad memories, but to thank you for sharing the story and tell you that it can and is helping others.I am sure you will cherish these photos as you do the memories of your beautiful Ava.
    PS – I ordered a hard cover and soft cover book from blurb last week too – herad good stuff about them…hope they turn out well.

    
12. OP SuZ Q says:

    GORGEOUS LITTLE GIRL!!! (this is FOR sure!) would LOVE to know what you think of BLURB – thanks for doing a “review” for us!! look forward to hearing about them – i know they’ll be beautiful with your little AVA gracing the pages!! your family is in my prayers each day………

    
13. Anonymous says:

    Sheye,

    I just wanted to let you know, you’re not alone. I’m sure every mum and dad out there has regrets too.. each one of us about different things. I have regrets everyday. I regret yelling too much, giving in too easily too often, not enforcing stricter bed times, not reading to my son as often as I should, and letting little 4 year old sneak into my bed each night.

    I’m sure the Mummy Ava knew was the one with the camera and this is the mum she loved.. your photos are evidence of that. They are trully beautiful and show a little girl and family that loved each other and had so many happy moments together.

    Never stop taking those special photos..

    
14. Jody says:

    Your photos are treasures. We all wish we could do more…even now, after such tremendous loss, I question whether I am ‘being enough’ for my existing children. There is a balance to life. It’s just a little harder when we just have memories to hold.
    Your pictures of Ava showcase her so beautifully…every facet of her personality seems to be covered in them. Still, I know that there are pieces of her that you never captured on camera…and some memories known only to your heart and mind.
    That white dress reminds me of one I have that Teagan wore- and smudged chocolate on the front of it- just before she died. You can bet that I have never washed that dress. It makes me smile to see that smudge…and is a reminder of how much my perspective in life has changed.
    Thank you for sharing yours.

    
15. Anonymous says:

    Oh Sheye!

    The pom pom story made me laugh and cry at the same time! I hope it makes it into your next book.

    Kate F

    
16. Melinda says:

    From the beautiful expressions on Ava’s face in so many of your photos, I would say that you made her feel like a true princess… the center of attention. Her confidence and happiness shine through in each one. She is well-loved. What more can we give our children than that?

    
17. Sussanah says:

    I remember the time when we were booking the Pixies tickets, I was on the phone to you and surfing the web and I was ignoring Imogen and when I turned around she had half eaten a chapstick and you told me that chapsticks were in the food pyramid, I ‘m pretty sure pom poms must be too.
    Made me laugh.
    love to you

    
18. Ebony Rose says:

    Just popping in to say hi, still thinking of you and the family always.

    All my love Ebz xoxo