REMEMBERING ANITA.

Last week Amber asked me to do a very usual shoot for her.  She asked me to take pictures of a Christmas cactus that once belonged to her mom.  On October 31st of 2000 Amber's mom, Anita, very unexpectedly passed away.  Since then her CHRISTMAS cactus blooms very early.  In fact, it buds and blooms in OCTOBER.  A coincidence?  I think not!  I was so honored Amber asked me to take such special pictures to honor a woman that meant so very much to me as well!  Anita was such a beautiful spirit and I simply adore her delightful early-blooming cactus!

  

i think the blossoms look like butterflies in flight and i find that

so entirely appropriate as a representation for anita.

  

~anita ryker~

BELOW IS LETTER I WROTE TO AMBER LAST YEAR.  I HOPE SHE DOESN'T MIND ME POSTING IT--I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED WITH THESE PHOTOS!

October 31, 2007

My Lovely Amber,

I just want you to know how much of your Mom I see in you.  You are an absolutely amazing wife, mom and woman and I know she is so, so proud of you.  Such a huge part of her lives on in YOU!  In your smile, in your laugh--in your knowing, caring hands.  I know she is still with us and I am certain she pays particular attention to her beautiful, beautiful grandchildren.  Although I wish for all the world she could be here to rock them to sleep with that very special sway of hers, I am certain she sits with you in the early morning hours, stroking the face of your new baby.  Whispering words of wisdom.

I pray that God will nurture her characteristics in the developing personalities of your children, just as He has so magnificently done in you.  Although she rests in the arms of Jesus now, God left the very best parts of her here, as an unbelievable blessing and reminder to all of us that knew her--and miss her smiling face, her kind words, her absolute compassion.  All of these stunningly remarkable parts of her, and so many more, live on in the woman I can wholeheartedly call my best and dearest friend.

Every year during this season, I am so overwhelmed with emotion.  I miss her--for you and for me, for Isaac and for Anna.  For everyone that knew her and for those that were never fortunate enough to have met and inevitably loved her.  But she will always hold this very special piece of my heart.  Not because of who she was--even though she was so undeniably special--but because of who she gave me, Amber Marie.

Your mom has saved me twice now.  Once through the lessons I learned from her mistakes.  And again by orchestrating our friendship.

I love you Amber and I want you to know my prayers are with you this day.  And my heart is filled to the brim with gratitude for all that you are to me!

Anita--you are loved more now than ever and will never, never be forgotten.