The year 2012 will forever be etched in my memory as a period fraught with challenges and heartache. It was a year that tested the limits of my family's strength and resilience, starting with the profound losses we faced — the passing of my beloved mother and my father-in-law. These events alone were enough to make 2012 a year we wished to move past swiftly. However, life had more in store for us.After relocating my photography studio from its home of a decade on Forest Avenue to a new location, I found myself, barely a year later, forced to move once again. The task of rebuilding everything from scratch — from the camera room where I capture moments of joy and sorrow, to the presentation room where these moments are shared and celebrated — was daunting. 2012 seemed to linger longer than welcomed, each day a reminder of the trials we had endured.
Yet, with the dawn of 2013, a new sense of hope began to emerge. The hardships of the previous year were behind us and we were on our way to healing the memories, and a fresh spirit of optimism filled the air for better times ahead. That was until January 22nd, when an unexpected wake-up call in the early hours from my son brought the past year's challenges rushing back. He informed me that the fire department was on the line, concerning an incident at my studio. My heart sank; at 2 a.m., such news could hardly be promising. My mind raced to the safety of my photographic files, thankfully secured off-premises.
As I share this story, it's a reminder to myself and to others that while we cannot control the events that life throws our way, we can choose how we respond to them. We can let the challenges define us or we can define ourselves through our response to the challenges. Here's to moving forward, embracing the unknown, and finding light in even the darkest of times.
Reflecting on these events, it's clear that the journey from 2012 to 2013 was more than just the passage of time. It was a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, the capacity to face adversity head-on, and the ability to find hope in the aftermath of turmoil. The start of 2013, marked by yet another challenge, was a reminder that the path forward is not always smooth. However, it also reinforced the idea that with each obstacle comes an opportunity for growth, learning, and, ultimately, healing.
The reality of the situation, though shocking, was a relief in some respects — a car had merely crashed into my storefront. There was no fire, no injuries, just a shattered facade to contend with on one of the coldest nights of the year. Waiting for emergency services to secure the premises, I was struck by a mix of frustration and gratitude — grateful for no injuries and that I, somehow, managed to evade pneumonia despite the freezing conditions.
Yet, with the dawn of 2013, a new sense of hope began to emerge. The hardships of the previous year were behind us and we were on our way to healing the memories, and a fresh spirit of optimism filled the air for better times ahead. That was until January 22nd, when an unexpected wake-up call in the early hours from my son brought the past year's challenges rushing back. He informed me that the fire department was on the line, concerning an incident at my studio. My heart sank; at 2 a.m., such news could hardly be promising. My mind raced to the safety of my photographic files, thankfully secured off-premises.
Gold Coast Gazette, Issue 22, January 31 2013