It’s very easy to get caught up in our daily life stresses; financial trouble, falling outs with family or friends, falling short of a goal…but these photos continue to remind me that life is simply about this: living to the fullest and keeping those we love close to us for now, and forever. A company based in Washington called “Soulumination” is a non-profit organization that helps families in their darkest moments – when a loved on is nearing the end of their life. Soulumination has grown to a network of over 40 professional photographers who volunteer their time and talent to capture the final moments of these amazing people’s lives. While these photos bring forth tragedy, grief and loss, they also exude unconditional love that will outlast physical boundaries.
According to their website:
“Soulumination celebrates the lives of children and parents facing life-threatening conditions by providing professional photographs of these special individuals and their families, free of charge.
The life-affirming photographs of Soulumination are an enduring, positive record of the child’s life, and provide a loving legacy for the children of parents lost to terminal illness.”
Charlotte passed away on September 14, 2010 after battling progressive neural-muscular disease.
Barry and his mother Cindy share a moment of laughter. He soon passed away from a rare genetic disease called Fanconi anemia in 2007.
David embraced by his two sons.
Corine hugged with laughter and a kiss from her husband.
Alive for 17 days, Evan was photographed before dying of necrotizing entercolitis and sepsis.
Emmanuel and his wife Veronica spend time sitting together uninterrupted. He died of gastric cancer.
Kyle kissed by his wife before passing away from a rare form of cancer.
Greg holding on to his 5-year-old son, Blake who was terminally ill.
Georgia held and admired by her mother Alison and father Brian. She suffers from Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia.
Little Jada survived only four days. Her parents, Marla and Mark, hold hands while watching over her.
To see more of these images, learn more about Soulumination or donate in honor of the people you see above, visit Soulumination.org.