Triple Bloom, Tracey

Triple Bloom.
Tracey.
Photograph.

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about the photo.
Tracey describes her piece, "In the past year, seeking out beauty has been healing for me. Nurturing, carefully protecting, pruning and watching the roses bloom, each one different, each one beautiful. I've taken hundreds of photos of roses this year...and am always amazed by their unique beauty. A simple flower which keeps us connected to the beauty of our Rose.

"This unique triple bloom emerged a few weeks back on Rose's memorial rose plant. I was struck by the irony that the middle bloom should die first."

about the photographer.
Tracey's middle daughter, Rose, was stillborn at full term on January 18, 2009. Tracey shares her life with a supportive and loving husband, Cyril, and daughters Claire and Nadine.

Rose, Tracey

Rose, 2009.
Tracey
Photograph.


about the photo.
Tracey talks about the photograph:

When we learned of Rose's passing, we opted to return home before we began the induction process. This left us with much time to think, and plan. From the big concerns, to the more trivial, we had so much to consider in those short hours. How could this have happened? What would this experience bring? How would we tell our families? Our oldest daughter, how do we explain this loss to a 2 year old?  So many questions that ran together in those first 12 hours of living our worst nightmare. We hadn't yet settled on her name. What would we name this little babe who we'd never get to bring home with us. Our little sleeping beauty my husband said....Rose, we'll name her Rose.

And in that moment, Rose, a name, a flower....the simple beauty came to symbolize our beautiful girl. A rose is a symbol of love, a symbol of beauty and of strength. Roses with their gorgeous blooms and fragrant aromas, petals opening to the world.

A rose, our Rose.

In the past year, seeking out beauty has been healing for me. Nurturing, carefully protecting, pruning and watching the roses bloom, each one different, each one beautiful. I've taken hundreds of photos of roses this year...and am always amazed by their unique beauty.  A simple flower which keeps us connected to the beauty of our Rose.

This photo was taken in late April. We had just passed the three month mark and I was at a very low point in my grief. This photo was a turning point. A simple bloom, opening to the world, beautiful in its simplicity.  It gave me hope.

So much beauty in spite of so much sadness. 

Rose.

about the photographer.
Tracey's second daughter, Rose, was stillborn at full term on January 18, 2009. Tracey shares her life with a supportive and loving husband, Cyril, and an active preschooler, Claire.  They are awaiting the arrival of their third daughter in the Spring when roses bloom.

Remembering Rose today on her first birthday.