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Content Warning: cancer, loss of spouse

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Forever is never far from any of us but for Neena and Jim, it is close enough to see. Jim has been bravely fighting cancer for a year and a half and when it became apparent that he only had a few months remaining, he and Neena decided to pledge their love outdoors in the southern Humboldt redwoods with only a few close friends.

Our cold February weather may have moved the ceremony indoors but... in the true spirit of our community, the resort gave up their guest registration area so that Neena and Jim could still pledge their love under the redwoods. Within a small and common space, this couple and their friends created moments that were enormous and extraordinary. 

They have graciously allowed me to share their story with you, including Neena's vow poem below. Through my photographs and her words, I hope you will see that there is joy in the grief, strength in the weakness, light in the dark, and dignity in the acceptance.

Death is not the end of love.

there needs to be another word for this,

this particular type of love meant for dreams

because it is so much more than the promises we whisper in the dead of night

or the weary embraces at dawn

what I did not know dear one

is that this love we lived in here on Earth

was really the small part

just a tiny piece that fell from the heavens

that up above

we are the universe and all of time

and from there

our love can bring back the bees

and the butterflies

orchestrate a dance

between the moon and the sun

and breathe love into every living thing.

~Neena