Until the Last Moment: A tribute to my Aunt Ruby

It's the times like this I feel so privileged as a photographer to be able to capture the moments that mean the most in life.

I am currently in Varnville, South Carolina, a city of no more than 200 citizens, sitting in my Aunt Ruby's beautiful old historic southern mansion, full of cracks in the walls from the lives that have lived here since 1945, and creaks that serenade each step in the wood floors. I'm sitting in the formal parlor editing pictures I took throughout the day of some of the last moments with our beloved Ruby who is prognosed to only live a few more days. Other family members are gathered in the kitchen sharing their favorites stories of the woman who leaves an incredible legacy behind.

"Boy, if those kitchen walls could talk," Aunt Ruby said to me about an hour ago, letting out a small chuckle in between the pains that haunt her body right now. "The stories that have been exchanged and shared with me by everyone in town. I don't know why my kitchen is so popular."

One reason might be her famous macaroni and cheese. It was the way she used a dash of this and a pink of that made it famous amongst everyone in our family and around the town Varnville. Her daughter in law told me today that they will be passing out the secret recipe at her funeral for everyone to have. It was that famous.

Another reason Ruby's kitchen was so popular was simply because of her love. A mother of seven, including two grown disable sons she has raised their entire lives, she also became a mother to everyone's life she touched. As my mom told me earlier today, "I was always drawn to Aunt Ruby. I've told her things I've never even told my own mother."

No matter what, Ruby was always there with a compassionate heart to serve a good meal and simply listen, without judging, to all who entered her kitchen.

Aunt Ruby was the kind of lady who didn't just go to church on Sundays, she lived and walked her Christian faith every day of her life. She truly was the greatest example of Jesus in my life the way she so selflessly lived to serve others needs before her own. As I told my mom tonight, "I know the reason I was always so drawn to Aunt Ruby was because of how her actions spoke louder than her words."

But tonight, it was her words that had me in tears. My cousin, Carmen, was providing Ruby some pain medication, and I peeked my head inside her room.

"Come here my beauty queen," Ruby said as she extended her feeble arms wide.

I rushed over to give her a big hug knowing it might be one of the last.

In the midst of all her physical pains, she boldly tells me, "I don't know what is going to happen, but I trust in the Lord. What will be will be. I am now satisfied."

I am now satisfied. What powerful words. What peaceful words. There, in a moment when she feels her worst, when she knows her death is approaching, she still finds peace and contentment and doesn't hesitate to trust the Lord. Yet, to so many of us who are blessed beyond measure, we wear blinders that prevent us from finding that true satisfaction in the Lord with our small everyday worries. "I am satisfied." I truly became humbled in her presence.

So today, I did what I know best. I picked up my camera and documented "one moment more" with this lady of greatness as family and friends tended to her fragile last days with us.

It's too hard for me to pick favorite photos to post, because each shot and emotion tells a story in itself, so I would love for you to watch the slideshow to see every single one of my favorites. The family has also asked me the honor of showcasing this at her upcoming funeral. To those reading this blog, I pray that this inspires you to reach out to your loved ones and embrace each moment you are given with them. As my mom always says, “Whatever the question, love is the answer.”

>>>CLICK HERE FOR THE SLIDESHOW

And here are a few significant shots.


Beautiful Ruby resting her eyes for a moment.



Ruby's handicapped son, Chris, on his knees praying for his momma. Chris was considered a miracle baby considering he only weighed one and a half pounds when he was born and wasn't supposed to live past a few weeks. Now in his 50s, I have always admired him in how despite his circumstances growing up, he is genuinely one of the happiest, most loving people I know. Without him realizing it, that has taught me a lot.



A few years ago, Aunt Ruby told my mom, "I want to know what people are going to say about me at my funeral before I die." In this photo, everyone is gathered around as my mom reads a tribute written by her brother Jeff, who couldn't be there, wrote about her on his blog. The even greater thing I love about this photo is how I caught my cousin Mike in the corner turning away to wipe his tears streaming down about his mom.



After reading Jeff's letter, my mom sings Ruby's favorite hymn to her, "Peace in the Valley."



A shot my mom caught of me feeding Aunt Ruby the town's famous watermelon they celebrate each year with parades, carnivals, arts and crafts and dancing at the Watermelon Festival.

May God bless my precious Aunt Ruby.