It is with great sadness that I post today. As many of you may know, my father-in-law, Jim Martin, has been fighting cancer for almost two years. I've posted a number of times about our visits to MD Anderson to visit him during treatments and check-ups. We were so excited when he was released from care in December of 2005 in remission.
That Christmas we were overjoyed to have everyone back home and well. Throughout the year we took every opportunity gather as a family and take a few pictures. Over Thanksgiving Mr. Jim wasn't feeling well and went for his check-up only to find that the cancer was back.
The doctors gave him a week off to be with his family, at home, for Thanksgiving. It was during this time the below images were captured of Mr. Jim with his wife of 38 years, Melanie and his grandson William.
During his recent visit to MD Anderson, Mr. Jim caught Pneumonia and his body couldn't fight the infection. Mr. Jim passed away early Saturday morning, January 6, 2007.
Mr. Jim was and amazing man. He touched more lives then anyone could have ever imagined. At his memorial service, he was remembered as a man who loved his family, loved his friends, loved his church and loved his God.
I can attest that he truly did love his family. When Natalie and I were married 7 years ago, he took me in as his own son. Provided love and guidance in my early years of marriage and was always there to lend a hand or a kind word.
He was blessed to have lots of friends. Not the type of friends where you just say hello in passing, but the type that would get together and talk for hours, friendships that are build on real substance and last a lifetime.
Mr. Jim loved his church and had real pleasure teaching Sunday School, Cooking for church events, and serving as a Deacon. I first meet Mr. Jim and Mrs. Melanie on youth mission trips where they took care of our meals. Mr. Jim made the best pancakes, a treat my son always looks forward to enjoying.
Anyone who meet Mr. Jim would know where he stood on the subject of Christ. Mr. Jim was a believer and would take any opportunity to share the gospel how Jesus changed his life. It was his Faith that helped him through the first time at MD Anderson and guided him till his passing.
We prayed everyday for Mr. Jim's healing. God answered our prayer, just not the way we had planned. God took away the pain, and healed the cancer. Although it is very sad that we can no longer put our arms around him, we have the great memories and assurance that he is with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Mr. Jim was the spiritual leader of his family and a true leader amongst men. His passing was really hard for me because I loved him so much and because I was so sad my son would grow up not knowing his Daddy Jim.
As I would look around his house I would see so many pictures I had taken when we were all together. Just looking at them made me cry... I didn't know how I would be able to look at these images every again.
During the service, listening to everyone share their memories, I realized why the images were so hard for me to look at. It was because each image held a very special memory for me. I know it may sound odd, but I remember every picture I've ever taken. I don't just remember the actual picture, but I remember what happened just before and just after, I remember what the weather was like, I remember the personality and attitude of the people, I remember everything.
It was the great memories that brought tears to my eyes. As I type this note, the memories come back along with the tears. How special my time was with this wonderful man who entrusted his one and only daughter to me. I realized the images I created mean so much more now that Mr. Jim isn't with us then I had ever imagined.
My job, as a photographer, is extra special already because people allow me into their life. It's only now that my favorite client is gone that I truly appreciate the importance of what I do. Our home is decorated with wonderful images of our family, each image holds a very special memory of a time in our life that we treasure.
Our small town in Louisiana was truly touched by one man, Jimmie Dale Martin. I only wish that I can look back on my life and say that I lived a full life of love and joy with a family and friends. Mr. Jim was many things to many people. To me he was a Father, a Son, a Husband, a Friend, a Grandfather, a Counselor, a Christian, and a leader.
I would ask that you keep our family in your prayers as we adjust a life without Mr. Jim watching out us. He will truly be missed. Below are my last images of Mr. Jim taken November 19th, 2006.
We love you Mr. Jim and thank your for touching our lives...
--jesse
