Yesterday was a sad day for us and a glorious day in Heaven.
I met Six Paige while photographing children for the Portrait Project. I only spent an hour with her, and did not get the opportunity to meet her again, yet she had an impact upon my attitude about life.
I photograph a number of high school girls. Most bring their insecurities (will their hair will look like they want it to, will they look thin enough, Please God dont let that pimple show in my pics) along with their outfits. My first job is always to make them relax and be themselves.
Six showed up with a huge smile on her face. She laughed and giggled at everything. Getting a “natural, unsmiling pose” was simply not going to happen because that would be unnatural to her. Six had a very edgy hair cut, with the top being bright red. I was told she was heading to the hospital the next day for a bone marrow transplant and knew she would lose all her hair. She had decided to celebrate it before it was gone. She had that exact same outlook on life. She knew might lose it, so she celebrated it before it was gone. When asked if she was frightened about the bone marrow transplant (she was intelligent and knew the risks) she said “No, it will be like an adventure that I can help others with later on.”
Yesterday Six left us, trading in her sick, earthly body for a glorious one in Heaven. She left a loving family, a prayer group in the hundreds of people who’s lives she had touched, and I’m sure thousands of their friends who heard of the joy she had for life and the positive outlook she maintained, even through the last 3 months of her life spent in a hospital while doctors desperately tried to heal her body.
While it was bittersweet to know she has left us and gone Home, I can only think of the lives she touched, including mine. I wonder if she chose red hair in Heaven and it makes me smile.
You took the words from my heart. The legacy Six left will continue to touch people for a long long time. Thank you for sharing the pics and your thoughts. My mother is Sixs’ great grandmother, making me her great aunt. I can tell you that the hour you spent with her is no different than all the hours of her life, she was a joy and delight to be around.
She’s Beautiful & your story is too, you’ve got me in tears……Dear God I hope her familys doing ok, I know the heart-ach, I pray they have a strong support system & even better extended family that will be their for them….i have know doubt she’s got her wings <3
David. This is the first time for me to see this. His timing is always perfect. Thank you so much for taking time to be with her and capture wondering pics. They are and will forever be cherished.
God bless.
Six Paiges earthly momma,
Melissa
Stunning pictures of a beautiful angel!
Your words could not be more true:) She was an amazing young lady who impacted so many lives… I know she has her wings now & continues to watch over her beautiful mom & sisters. I was blessed to have known her. Thank you for writing these wonderful words & taking the beautiful photos of her:)
Wow. ..I haven’t ever seen this either and as Six’s aunt Bo while in tears wanna thank you for the awesome pictures that we will forever cherish and the kind words….You seem to have captured her true soul in your pictures and apparently she touched your heart in the process. ..that was Six….an awesome..caring ..happy go lucky..I’ll save the world..lovable angel she was
Paige was in my first grade class years ago. She was always a bright light with an extraordinary attitude! I will forever remember her sweet face and zest for life! Hugs to her family xo
David,
I just saw this and it’s making me cry. KnowING that you only met my sister once for a very short time, yet you had a connection with her and felt the need to write something special about her 3 years ago makes me happy. Today marks 3 years that my baby sister lost her life on earth and finally got her wings.
Bri