NHPCO NewsLine Winter 2021 - 29

Observing the fussing with my hair, Natalie said, " you
should shave your head, and your hair won't be in your
eyes anymore. " We were struck by the simplicity and the
classic logic of her statement.
" That is true, and hey Natalie, where is your dog? " we
asked. We knew a golden retriever would not be able to
resist a car ride and a chance to lead the energetic run
with his boy and girl.
" Well, " she began, again very matter of factly, " do you
remember when I told you that we shaved Charlie too? He
looks way too ugly to be in our pictures. He looks like a
huge rat, and I don't want him to ruin our pretty pictures. "
" Oh, we can understand, " I replied through a giggle. It was
endearing that Natalie focused on what is truly beautiful,
a family that together was doing all that they could to
establish normalcy for her, a little girl going through a
tough battle with grace and dignity.
Capturing Precious Moments
As photographers, we reflect on how blessed we are after
each shoot that today we do not have to comfort a child
fighting illness. Today, we do not have to meet with a
team of specialists who, no matter how much training
they have, still cannot tell us for certain that our child will
be " fine. " Today, we do not have to spend the day with our
child in the confines of hospital walls, not able to play with
them in the park breathing in the cool, crisp air of early
fall. Today, we are grateful that we can afford time for the
luxuries of a workout and coffee with a friend without
feeling that we should instead be at our child's bedside in
the confines of our home. Today, just for this moment, we
are grateful to be on the outside, as photographers,
capturing these precious moments of a family that will
translate into irreplaceable memories of a child who will
make an indelible mark on this world, no matter how long
he or she is in it.
Karen Henrick is the founder of the non-profit
organization Moment by Moment. Mason Henrick is a
photographer for Moment by Moment.
This article originally appeared
in the NHPCO Pediatric
E-Journal released November
2021. Find this issue and past
issues of the e-journal available
free-of-charge at nhpco.org/
pediatrics.
Newsline / Winter 2021 29
http://www.nhpco.org/pediatrics http://www.nhpco.org/pediatrics
NHPCO NewsLine Winter 2021

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