18 September 1990,
Once, I was one of the children arriving here too.
Last night it was hard to sleep knowing about the fires and protests in the refugee shelter in Loosdrecht. And suddenly I am looking at old photographs again. It makes me sick to my stumach watching the video’s but I shall not allow the hate to enter inside of me right now.
The language in the news article from 1990 echoes what is being said now. The day i arrived as a little child. The woman in the article is my mother, 17 years just left her whole family to arrive to this chaos.
Headlines about refugees taking homes, changing neighborhoods, becoming a problem before anyone even knows their names.
And yet, the little girl in those photographs became me.
A mother.
An artist.
A woman whose home became this place.
Last night while reading the news, I kept thinking about one thing.. And maybe that is what breaks my heart the most.
Because somewhere inside those buildings are parents, children who will remember this feeling forever. The feeling of whether the world welcomed them… or not.
I am not sharing this to speak about politics. ( done with that ) I am sharing this because once upon a time, I was the little girl in these photographs too.
And maybe that is what breaks my heart the most about what is happening now.
That there are families who escaped war, arrived here hoping they had finally reached safety… only to be welcomed with fear instead of compassion.
Every refugee child has a future self we cannot yet see.
A future mother.
A future teacher.
A future friend.
A future artist.
A future person who may one day contribute love, beauty, kindness, and humanity back into this world.
Just arrived back home ( and yes there is no place like home ) and here to say thank you for the kind words I’ve received through the store. I haven’t shared much about it lately, but I’m still so thankful to know it’s being used in a way that feels meaningful and helpful to you. Truly, thank you.
We owe it to ourselves…
to choose what feels right,
even when it’s not the easiest path.
To grow, even when it’s uncomfortable.
To rest, without guilt.
To become, without asking for permission.
We owe it to ourselves to not settle for a life that only looks good from the outside,
but to build one that feels right on the inside.
Life lately feels good.
Life has been always good.
It’s whats in our hearts that matters.
Not because everything is perfect,
but because there is steadiness.
Standing where I am, and embracing myself.
Moving with what comes at my own pace.
Life brings its waves,
but not every one of them
needs to change your course.
A little peek it the past days.
Photography and filmmaking
have existed for centuries.
Documenting love is not a new concept.
It is not a trend.
It is a craft.
Long before social media.
Long before instant uploads.
Weddings were documented with intention.
One team! Photographers & Filmmakers.
So I wonder, when did we decide that wasn’t enough?
Unplugged ceremonies were meant to protect the moment, no screens.
So guests could be present.
So we could do our job.
And now we’re adding phones back in.
For what benefit really?!
If you’re in the industry, I’d love to hear how you’re experiencing this ( shit ) uh pardon me, I mean shift.
