Father's Day-Generations

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. Although there is truth to this saying, I often find that you need to know the story that goes along with the images to fully understand their relevance and meaning. So is the case with these images I captured in time for Father's Day this year.

I knew I wanted to make my husband a photo gift for Father's Day, with images of our two sons. The opportunity fully presented itself when we went to High Prairie the weekend of June 9th, for my brother's Wedding. 

We stayed the weekend with Josh's parents, Allen and Jean, as we always do when we go up North for a visit. Josh had been working very hard on a wooden rocking horse, a gift our baby nephew, since my brother and his wife did not want Wedding Gifts.

Josh, and Allen, went out to the workshop to work on this horse. 

Both men are very talented carpenters, as many men in the Imrie family are, including Neil Imrie, Allen's dad, Josh's Grandfather. 

Neil passed away at 90 years of age, in 2006. He had moved up to High Prairie, to live with Jean and Allen during the last several years of his life. It was nice to have spent so much time with him, during these years. 

Neil always held onto the hope, and desire to live in his own cottage, on Allen and Jean's property. Josh and Neil worked very hard to build this cottage, but unfortunately Neil's age, and health took it's toll, and he never did get to live in the cottage. 

The cottage has now become Allen's workshop. It's filled with all kinds of tools. Many of Neil's belongings and mementos still adorn the shelves and walls.

So when our son's, Brodie and David, went out to the workshop to see what their Daddy and Grandpa were doing, I knew it was a true family moment. Great-Grandfather's workshop, Grandpa, Daddy, and Grandchildren, all under one roof, carrying on the Imrie tradition of carpentry and woodworking. 

I love the pictures of the kids exploring the workshop, and discovering things as little boys do. I really love the photos of Father and Son working together, as they have done so many times. (Years ago, when we still lived in High Prairie, they even had a Contracting Business together)

The images I captured of their day in the workshop made a beautiful album, a special Father's Day gift for both my husband, and my father-in-law. 

I love them so much, I have to share. 

Celebrating The Last Day of School

A lot of people really focus on a child's First Day of School. For our family, we were rather stressed, and feeling so rushed, that unfortunately that moment passed us by. The "first day of school picture", I failed to capture of my own son.

I felt rather disappointed in myself for this, but I have plenty of great pictures of my kids, so I didn't let it bother me too much. 

Then, as the last day of school approached, it occured to me, that was the real celebration. For Brodie overcame a lot of challenges during his first year of school, and we are so very proud of him.

In September, at 3-1/2 years old, Brodie still did not say a word. He had said a few words over the years, so we knew he could talk, but he just didn't seem to know how to talk to us. 

He was also painfully shy.

He had been diagnosed with a Severe Expressive Language Delay, and qualified for some help with a Educational Assistant to work with him in his Pre-School class, and once a month help from a Speech Therapist. 

We were so lucky to have Christine Bates as Brodie's Educational Assistant. With her help in the classroom, as well as their one-on-one sessions together, Brodie was able to achieve so much this year. 

He went from not speaking at all, to now using full sentences. He is not quite as shy around adults, and actually likes to play with other kids his age, calling them by name. 

I could go on and on, the transformation of Brodie this year has been amazing. It has been so exciting for us to see all of his achievements, and most of all, to finally have him talk to us, and hear what is on his mind. 

Thank you so much to the Foothills School Division, to Ms. Phillips, and Mrs. Currie, Brodie's Pre-School teachers, and especially to Christine, for all of the hard work, and attention you gave Brodie, to help him get to the point he is at today. 

For us, Brodie's Last Day of School is truly a celebration. 

Switching Gears

My Blog started out as a update for my family and friends when we were on a trip a couple years ago. 

We've long since been home, but now I'd like to start blogging again. 

I have personal thoughts and topics I'd like to Blog about, but I also want to use my Blog to promote my photography business, Illuminessence Designs. 

So my Blog will follow a variety of topics that are on my mind, and close to my heart, but there will be one common thread to hold it all together. That will be my Photography. Stories, thoughts, and ideas, all supported by my photographic images. 

So I hope you enjoy the stories and photos I share. Thanks for reading.

Rachel Imrie