I frequent photography forums to keep up with online mentors, friends and the latest trends.  There was one person’s commentary that I would read frequently; her name was Julie Steiskal.  I never met her and didn’t know her but from reading what she had to say you couldn’t help from making a connection with her on a personal and professional level.  Last week Julie lost her life trying to save another…neither survived.

Julie’s bio on her website says a lot about her:

when i was six, i walked into the empty kitchen, looked behind me, stretched my arm as far as i could and borrowed my mother’s camera for the first time. and when i was done with it, i quietly slipped it back on the counter and went back to my book with a smile on my face. today, as then, i find beauty in the eyes of those i love, in the details of God’s creation, in laughter, in light, in wonder.

i like my garden. i like my front porch and my little old house. i like knowing my neighbors and i like crossing my street to get the mail. i like a good book, a movie that makes me laugh, a song that makes me sing. i like food. i like thai restaurants, good pasta and the tacos that come out of my kitchen. i like the smell of the grill on a warm summer night and i like my mother’s cheesecake. i like the water. i like the smell of rain, the sound of a creek, the infinite possibility of a lake and the dampness of dew. i like falling asleep and waking up to thunderstorms. i like the sound of my nephew’s giggle and the feel of his brother’s hand in mine. i like that my family includes some of my best friends.

my life is both simple and complicated. it is a peaceful spring morning, it is a commute surrounded by people i don’t know. it is finding the quiet in the chaos, it is knowing how to be alone in a crowd.

i think you, your child, your dreams are beautiful. i know that time is quickly passing. i want to help you capture the moments of your life that you never want to forget.

this is what i bring. this is who i am.

A wonderful song was written for her and played at her funeral and I suggest you listed to it as it really defines her life.  Your life can change in a moment so I ask all of you…where are you with your relationship with Christ?