There are certain people who just impress me.  For example, watching the “Final Five” gymnasts competing at the 2016 Olympics, and their ability to win gold, because of dedication and perseverance that started long ago, and far, far away from Rio.  And I was in awe watching the synchronized divers compete, TOGETHER!  I’ve said, “Wow!” so many times.  As a former college gymnast, I’m all the more impressed with their athletic feats and triumphs that they accomplished through unfathomable hard work and so much sacrifice.

But the Olympics isn’t the only place that people are impressing me and triumphantly persevering.  The other week I had the pleasure of photographing Teri and her family. I’ve known Teri for probably 12 or 14 years, where I first met her as a client in my Pilates’ classes.  She was hands down one of my hardest workers, and not only worked hard and was in excellent physical condition, she was in her late 50s and blowing away the 30-year olds.  Her daughter-in-law also did the Stroller Strides classes I taught and was a photography client when I was starting out.  Time and distance and new phases of life and, like other friends, I only saw snippets of Teri and her family on Facebook.
Recently, Teri contacted me about doing a family photo shoot while the whole family, sons and their families too, came to Maui on vacation.  I knew this would be fun, somewhat full-circle, and I was looking forward to it.  As we talked before the shoot, I realized just how much we miss “keeping in touch” on social media– so much of real life isn’t found on the pages of Facebook or on the pictures on Instagram.  The non-curated life is often so much more real.  I found out that two years ago Teri had suffered from cardiac arrest and was without oxygen to her brain for 15 minutes while on a scuba dive in Kauai.  Her life, quite obviously, is a miracle.  For the last two years she put her incredible work ethic towards a truly miraculous recovery, and although she is still getting stronger, she is doing so well!  Her top physical condition that she was in would prove so beneficial, as I’m sure countless prayers and her amazing attitude has too.

This trip was not only her return to the islands, but her Rio in essence, where the miracles are even better than any medal.  The golden sunshine at the West Maui and Kaanapali beaches and the worth-more-than-gold family memories while staying at the Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club would prove her triumph and strength.  And this sunset that we shared was such a wonderful opportunity to be their photographer.