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May 10, 2005
The Light
Vicki was absolutely beautiful. Even while she was hounded by cancer and tormented by chemotherapy, her awesome beauty radiated from within. (The picture above was taken two weeks before she died. She was fourteen years old.)
Vicki once told me she wanted to be a model. I knew she was close to the end of her life and being a model was one dream that would probably not come true for her. Or could it? I called my friend Randal Alhadeff (a wonderful photographer) and asked him if he would help. He certainly did.
We brought the photographic equipment to the hospital and turned Vicki’s room into a real photographic studio. There were wires and lights and cameras and reflectors and people all over the room.
That afternoon, we took a series of stunning and memorable pictures, including the one above. It was amazing. Here was a child, hooked up to machines, totally nauseated from chemotherapy, and still running the show, making sure that nothing in the world was going to take the moment from her.
In the middle of the photo session, a nurse came in to give Vicki a round of medicine. The picture taking was interrupted while Vicki was medicated through a tube that went directly into her heart. The nurse wasn’t very happy that day and her attitude reflected it. As the nurse was about to walk over to the bed, Vicki looked up and said,” Err, excuse me. Mind leaving your bad mood outside?”
Vicki’s mom Liz and I laughed so hard we almost collapsed. Even the nurse cracked a smile.
Sometimes when I feel grumpy or down and find myself taking it out on other people, I think of Vicki. She had every right in the world to be miserable and downright depressed, but she always found time to smile and make the most of the moment.
I hope thousands of people will get to see your picture,” I said after the shoot.
“Then I’ll be one of those people who only becomes famous after they’re dead,” she said grinning.
“You’ll be famous.” I said.
“Promise,” she said imitating a pout like a spoiled model.
“ I Promise.”
Well Vicki, because of this here blog, I might be able to keep my promise to you. My web site is read by a number of really cool people. I hope those who visit my site today will share this story with others so that you can become a lot more famous than you ever thought possible.
The more people who know about you, the better the world will be. Your light continues to shine. I hope it illuminates the path for those who might be walking in darkness today.
Posted by trevor at May 10, 2005 02:32 PM
Comments
This. This. This is why I love you so much!
And this is why I want to get to Ohio.
Posted by: Julia at May 10, 2005 02:50 PM
To explain the comment above - Julia (an amazing photographer) has graciously volunteered to fundraise enough money to sponsor visit for herself to Ohio to take portraits of Tylor and his family. (For those of you who don't know, Tylor is pretty much losing his battle with childhood cancer.) Julia rocks!
Posted by: trevor at May 10, 2005 03:14 PM
This is some of the best stuff I have read in blogs. I think your art and pictures are wonderful. Keep it up. You are in my list of favorites now.
Posted by: Gene Redlin at May 10, 2005 04:10 PM
This is so lovely. I've posted it on my bainbooks.com blog.
Thank you.
Posted by: Terry Bain at May 10, 2005 06:10 PM
This is beautiful Trevor. I'm going to put a link up tomorrow on my blog....i hope lots of people see it and honour this lovely soul!
Love, Violette
Posted by: violette at May 10, 2005 06:35 PM
How beautiful, how moving - you and Randal did a wonderful thing for her and her inner beauty really shines!
Posted by: marja-leena at May 10, 2005 09:54 PM
I am speechless and in awe of this woman-child's beauty. I have no words.
thank you... for this...
Posted by: stephanie thiel at May 11, 2005 12:37 AM
I've linked in Vicki's story to my blog also. Thanks for sharing it.
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle@scrapability at May 11, 2005 05:57 AM
So wonderful to come here daily and be uplifted by the beauty you capture. Thank you.
Posted by: Allison at May 11, 2005 09:14 AM
Read this blog at the same time a story on CBS was airing about a man with ALS who may have a year to live. He started a volunteer group to help families of ALS patients. These two people handling their last days with such courage fills my heart with hope for humanity. We all know we're not immortal, so how can we learn to value every minute as much as these people?
Posted by: Andy at May 11, 2005 10:35 AM
This is beautiful! I am adding you to my list of blogs, as well...not just for Vicki, but because my 2 year old son was recently diagnosed with leukemia, and while his chances are high, I feel a connection with all the other parents and patients out there.
And thank you for helping Vicki's dream come true!
Posted by: Bree at May 11, 2005 10:54 AM
Thanks again for another beautiful real story, she is spectacular.
You are a wonderful person Trevor!
Posted by: Annde at May 11, 2005 12:24 PM
I forwared the link to this posting to my colleagues. We are responsibile for the education of teenage girls. We were touched by Vicki's story. Her fame has spread to Australia.
Posted by: Robyn at May 11, 2005 05:58 PM
Trevor....
Did Vickie originally live in Traverse City, Michigan, and own a frisbee loving dog named "Harley?" She have grandparents living in Dearborn, Michigan? I ask becasue I meet a young girl who looked like her, who was under going cancer treatment in a local hospital. He demeanor sounds the same too. We met when she was walking her dog and I was mine. We passed each frequently for a little while. I never saw her not smiling. Then she was gone. I never knew her name. I do know that she passed away, from a neighbor who knew who knew her family.
Posted by: aridog at May 11, 2005 07:32 PM
The photograph of Vicky seems to capture something far more.It is as if her dreams are somewhere on the photo too.May Vicky become famous.You helped her catch one dream.Thank you
Posted by: cheri at May 12, 2005 01:44 AM
Beautiful! You are she is/was. I should have such an attitude when I feel bad.
Posted by: Bonnie at May 12, 2005 07:24 AM
Found this entry via Eric Siegmund's Fireant Gazette!
That's an incredible photo! Cheri described it perfectly! It's clear this was a very special project for everyone involved and the results speak for themselves.
Are you going to post any more photos? Is an artbook planned?
Posted by: Mr. Freen at May 12, 2005 10:13 PM
Linked to this beautiful story on my blog too.
What an incredible story.
Thank you.
Posted by: Leonie at May 14, 2005 06:44 AM
In looking at Vicky's photograph I was at first struck by her resemblance to the great Russian poet Anna Akhmatova; in reading your post I thought that the resemblance was not merely physical, but spiritual as well; greatness of soul knows neither age, place, nor condition.
Posted by: akaky at May 14, 2005 03:28 PM
this was an amazing entry. thank you so much for posting it. i'm glad i was able to help vicki live out her dream.
Posted by: kristen at May 14, 2005 09:38 PM
I'm in tears.
I'm so happy for her that you were able to give her that one afternoon of feeling direction towards something bigger than herself.
You can see it on the photo.
It's the look of a dancer being one with the music, feeling nothing but movement outside the body.
I'm going to link to here now.
Thank you.
Posted by: Laane at May 15, 2005 07:25 PM
How gorgeous. The post, the photo, the girl ...
Posted by: Jodi at May 19, 2005 08:09 AM
You have made her an eternal model. She, and you, are beautiful to have shared this life and light with us.
Posted by: Running2Ks at June 11, 2005 05:58 PM
I found this by mistake, what a wonder mistake to make.
Thank you for sharing such a gorgeous soul.
may she R.I.P.
God bless you for giving a gift that will keep giving.
Posted by: Nicky at November 12, 2005 06:19 AM
I would like to have your book in the leveled reading library in my classroom. Do you have a specific reading level for the book? It would need to be very specific - early first grade, mid second etc. I saw the interest level was 4-8 but I need the specific reading level so our children can read this independently. Could you email me back with your response? Thanks. Linda
Posted by: linda anderson at May 12, 2006 01:21 PM
It's me again. The book I was referring to was " Err... Excuse me." Thanks, Linda
Posted by: Linda Anderson at May 12, 2006 01:22 PM