I doubt that any of the women in this photograph, taken on my Iphone in Brooklyn two weeks ago, have any idea how important the picture is to me. All of the most important women in my life are gathered in one place, sitting with one another, talking to one another, comfortable with one another.

To me, and perhaps only to me, this photograph is worth a thousand words, and holds many meanings. It was not conceivable to me just a few years ago. I had gotten divorced, Maria and Emma did not know one another very well, the divorce had shattered my other family, and Emma was not married, let along expecting a child.

Life goes on and takes its own path. Emma and I, disconnected somewhat, are close and easy and open with one another, I credit Robin and Maria with some of that. Em and I never gave up on one another, we kept at it Maria has always grasped the importance of this relationship to me, and encouraged me to keep working at it.

I had to change, Em had to change. We both did. Robin has turned out to be a glue that ties my daughter and I together. Emma loves this child so much, it has opened her up. Me too. And I could have sat there in Brooklyn, watching the three of them  so easy with one another, for days.

Robin was happy to be in Maria’s lap, Maria was happy to have her, Maria and Em chatted so comfortably and warmly. Maria is such a warm person, she looked so at ease with that baby in her lap.

The photograph and scene are epic for me, it brings up so much feeling and wonder. I will never give up on life.

Life has its own power, its own magic. This is as meaningful a photo as I have ever taken, some of you, those who have been following this blog for awhile, will grasp it’s importance. It was a long road from there to here, sometimes so difficult I did not think I would survive it.

I have learned to never give up on love as well as life, it is more powerful than almost any other thing. Some images capture more than the photographer knows.