When There Are No Words

I received a text that my best friend was in the hospital, a text that was not unexpected.  Within 24 hours, her core group of girlfriends, myself included, fill her hospital room.  At times serious, we discuss chemo and medical procedures and pain management.  At times funny, we talk about some of our best times together, our laughter so hysterical and loud that a nurse comes to the room and closes the door.  My girlfriends know and expect that my camera is with me.  It's my security blanket, my safety net.  When I can't find the words to speak, I let me camera do the talking for me.  When a hand reaches out and takes a hand resting on the hospital bed, I lift my camera and quickly take a shot.  With a lump in my throat, I know this photo speaks all that I or my friends cannot speak and without a doubt, we will cherish it forever.

Today, show us those special photos that do the talking for you.  We'd love to *hear* what they have to say.

Comments

[rakusribut]

without words

http://www.flickr.com/photos/61760618@N08/sets/72157626876857698/detail/

[darlene]

I am actually documenting my own journey through Breast Cancer right now - I am behind in posting on my blog because my body doesn't handle anything stronger than a Motrin so Chemo is kicking my butt!! I don't like the fog it is putting me in!!
I need to update my blog so bare with me http://photosbydarlene.blogspot.com

[Doris]

What a compelling photo. As I read this my thoughts go immediately to my mom. She suffers from Alzheimer's and though she's still cognitive enough to live at home, we've noticed she's slipping. I have lots of photos of her and I've shared several of them here before. These are two that bring a smile to my face when I look at them:

http://dorisrudddesigns.wordpress.com/2010/06/21/june-20-2010/

http://dorisrudddesigns.wordpress.com/2010/03/27/a-mothers-hand/

[Birgitte]

http://www.simplepicsfromaround.com/2011/07/matilde.html

[Kathryn Dyche Dechairo]

This post brought a tear to my eye. Before even reading the post it reminded me of when my father was ill with cancer. Sometimes images speak volumes.

[erika]

http://www.erikarayphotography.com/blog/2011/8/4/the-post-in-which-i-attempt-to-describe-a-birth-part-ii.html

This photo will always leave me speechless.

[Puna]

My son was in the hospital for the last five days. This post is so appropro. Now that the danger has passed I can post some photos. I too let my camera speak for me

http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/lifesignatures/6018889383/
http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/lifesignatures/6025475104/

[PHope]

Totally choked up viewing some of these beautiful photos.

This weekend I captured a shot of my nephews together-- they have only known each other for 4 months, but love to be together. Big brother gets the biggest kick out of making little brother smile and laugh.

[Anika @ Pasando]

There is something so honest about this shot...I have one similar to it with my father and do treasure it with all my heart. Wishing you all well.

[Deirdre]

I have a daughter with a mental illness I don't feel I can talk about publicly online for her own safety. It's hard because I am the kind of person who puts it all out there. I use my photos and flickr to share my life, and this is such a huge part of my life that I can't share. But I have said things quietly: http://www.flickr.com/photos/superdewa/5928980476/

[Sarah P.]

I love this photo. I have a similar photo of me with my grandfather during his last days. Best memory ever.

[Liz West]

When I faced a second and deadly cancer, my response was to record what was happening. This is my set on flickr. I did not take pictures of myself during treatment, because such pictures upset one of my daughters, but I did photograph some of the lovely folks who helped me along the way.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/calliope/sets/72157627268912721/

[lifeineden]

this is beautiful. your friends are lucky to have you Chris.

my mom had me when she was older, and I had my children when I was older. now I face that my kids may not really know my parents when they become adults; they don't have a typical relationship with their grandparents since my parents are older. so I work now to try and document those special moments. I don' t have words for what they mean to me, or what they might mean to my children someday.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32837589@N07/4805083583/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32837589@N07/5653795630/in/photostream

[Jen]

I love that I was able to capture this exchange between my parents. Growing up, I have many memories of them laughing at each other's jokes and I'm glad that I now have it captured in an image:

http://www.jenniferkrafchik.com/2011/06/still-laughing.html

[SuddenlySusan]

simply beautiful ...

[aia]

beautiful post. i wish your friend the best.

[Jess]

This one makes me heart stop briefly every time I see it. I takes me back, and makes me stand there again for a moment, feeling that cold day.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/theoldnicholsfarm/5331670967/

[Corinna]

I lost my sweet grandpa two years ago today, so I've been thinking - and picturing - what it means to be a grandchild and to have a special relationship with your grandparent:
http://www.birdwannawhistle.com/blog/2011/8/7/grandparents.html

[Sandee]

Beautiful story.

[Jill]

Sweet and simple image of relationships that are important.

A friend who's been hospitalized for the past month is being flown out tomorrow to SF - He refuses to have his picture taken in general, but has welcomed images of his favorite dog and images of his ranch to adorn his room. He has asked that I compiled images of his nephews who rode in their first rodeo earlier this month so he too can 'see their ride'...and that I will happily do because he never asks anything of anyone.

[georgia]

what a tender moment captured. best wishes to your friend. how blessed she is to have friends like that.

here is one of my photography moments like that... my husband with my 96-year-old grandmother.
http://itsjusthowiseethings.blogspot.com/2010/02/positively-perfect.html

[Trude]

Such a gorgeous capture. Hands can say so much, can't they? Like how my parents still hold hands on their daily walks. http://www.flickr.com/photos/trudem/5821549103/in/photostream

[charlotte wilson]

this beautiful photo says it all. Remember that a picture is worth a 1000 words.

[Barbara]

Yours reminded me of mine.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/longhollowtexas/5926983635/in/set-72157626992302690

[Elena]

Beautiful post, beautiful picture.

[Diane M. Schuller]

That is so warmly beautiful ... and heartwrenching. My sincere positive wishes for your friend.

[Emma]

Such a beautiful photo in so many ways.

I hope everything goes well, best wishes to you.

[laura lok]

beautiful post and photo hugs

[Kathy Perez]

Wow. For the first time I really think I have no words. Just complete appreciation for the amazing story a camera can tell with no words at all. I always thought of myself as a person that will always give a hand to someone in need. But this photo with my hand holding my best friend's hand was my way of saying..."I will hold your hand and give you strength when you need it" I also realize how much my hand looks just like my Moms. She was another woman I pulled my strength from. And the ring on my finger is the one thing she left me after she went to be with the Lord back in April of this year. I will never forget the strong women in my life and this photo reminds me on how strong the women in my life have been in their Fight Against Cancer. Chris, thank you for capturing one of the most precious times, that when you don't knowh what to say or have any words to express your love and prayers for someone...You can just reach out and hold their hand!

[Molly Wilson]

I took this one of my oldest son with my 92 year old grandpa this summer.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rialynn/5951034229/in/photostream