10 days old

change the truth

If you'd like to read about Melissa's experience as CTT's social worker at St. Mary Kevin Orphanage, you can do so by checking out her blog.

Some of my photographs from the "Dream Series" are featured in the current online issue of Ode Magazine. If you haven't already seen them, please check that out as well.

partners in crime

Eddie and our dog Sam are with me in New Orleans. We have settled into a nice routine and rhythm here; we feel very much at home.

The highlight of our day is getting to hold and cuddle baby Henry. We could stare at him and feel his little body in our arms for hours. He’s very precious, and he smells really good, too.

We’ve been doing a lot of other things while here, though. The main ways we’re helping are related to food, laundry and household chores.

Cooking for our organic/vegetarian children has drawn us to preparing dinners like:

Bulgur veggie burgers with lime mayonnaise
Penne pasta with cherry tomatoes, feta and pesto sauce
Acorn squash stuffed with wild long grain rice
Rice pilaf with ginger glazed tofu and sesame seeds
Pasta shells with halibut and oven-roasted ratatouille

With desserts like:

Cinnamon cookies
Date bars
Iced sugar cookies

We’ve repaired the freezer and the front gate. We've mowed the grass and shopped for cloth diapers. We’ve washed a lot of dishes and done mounds of laundry and gone food shopping. (Whole Foods has become part of our daily regimen.)

It feels really good to be pitching in.

Abbie took exquisite care of herself while she was pregnant. She had a totally natural childbirth. She and Sam are committed to raising Henry in an eco-friendly, thoughtful, healthy and loving way. There is lots of music and reading already in his young life. The whole experience of being with them as they embark upon this journey has been very inspiring to Eddie and me. Henry won't remember this time, but we always will.

around the house with henry

the good doctor

Henry had his first appointment with the pediatrician yesterday. He was pronounced a growing, healthy boy!

mama abbie

Henry has a wonderful mom. She's gentle and kind, nurturing and calm. OK, well, Abbie is my daughter, so I am slightly biased. But I've just been amazed at how easily she has taken on her new role as mother. And how good she is at it!

I just love watching her. She is so peaceful and content. She seems older and wiser already somehow. And there's a look in her eyes I've never seen before.

I feel really honored to be witnessing the beginnings of the special bond she's making with her brand new little boy.

name correction and georgia

En route to New Orleans, Abbie and Sam called to tell us that the baby had been born and then later that he was given a name. I thought I heard Abbie say it was Henry Avram Brandao.

We have now learned that his middle name is actually Abram.

So... please meet:

HENRY ABRAM BRANDAO

Henry's cousin Georgia got to spend some time with the wee lad today. She was thrilled to have the baby splayed across her lap and didn't seem to mind the assist from her Uncle Sam.




But she was happiest when she got to hold Henry all on her own.

jack

Henry's cousin Jack is four years old. He and his mom came over today to put up some signs and balloons for Henry's homecoming. Then we all waited around for awhile for Henry to get sprung from the hospital.

A little later Henry came home!

grandma's cookies

henry: one day old

Henry has had to spend his first two days in the NICU because he was breathing a little too fast and the doctors took great precaution and swept him away so that he could undergo some tests all of which so far have proved that he was fine to begin with he was just probably a little excited to be here and was simply breathing fast. We can only go in two at a time to hang out with him but we do get to hold him now and that is very cool. He has to stay in there until some cultures finish growing and the doc declares him perfectly healthy which means another day or two before I can get him alone for a real photo shoot! This one was done in his little plastic bassinet under the warming lights in the super sterile NICU, where he is being very well cared for I might add. His parents can't wait to get him out of there, though, and get him home where he belongs. Isn't he cute?

oh henry!

My first grandchild, Henry Avram Brandao, made his way into the world this morning at 7:45. He's 20 1/2 inches tall, weighs 8 pounds 1 ounce and is very sweet indeed! Pictures will follow, you can rest assured.

life cycle events

Life and death are events every culture honors in distinct and important ways. They are the two most sacred of all the life cycle events. And they bring families together.

Most of us are so afraid of death that we prefer not to speak of it, much less look at pictures associated with it. Birth, on the other hand, is quite a different story.

Happily, there will soon be pictures of a newborn baby on this blog, along with star struck little cousins, piles of diapers, soft chubby folds of skin and a couple of sleepy but happy parents.

Today, though, I wanted to share the pictures of my family when we were together for that other important life cycle event. These were made five years ago at the time my mother died.

Death and birth and death and birth. And family. That's what's on my mind this morning.



















Now, let's bring on this baby. My mother would have loved nothing more.

the reluctant father

As I wait and wait and wait some more (Abbie is now eight days past her due date, my grandchild taking his/her own sweet time) I am finding all sorts of things to do to pass the time. Like look at Phil Toledano's latest project about his forray in fatherhood with baby Loulou. You've got to check out this series ("The Reluctant Father") at The Anthropologist. His writing, per usual, is as wonderful as his photographs.

(Dear son-in-law Sam: I know you are anything but reluctant about what is about to hit you, but I also feel quite sure you will love this series.)

newspace show

If you're in Portland, Oregon please check out the exhibition at Newspace Center for Photography. The Curve: Choice Award Winners opens tonight and runs through September 26th. Two of my images from the Sea Series are included. Read about the show here. Wish I was there to go to the opening!

change the truth update

Melissa is in Uganda!! Her first communication arrived in my inbox this morning. I still can hardly believe that CTT has reached this point. Melissa will officially begin her job as social worker and liaison in a few more days. For now she and her son, Antwain, are easing into their new lives in Kajjansi.

Along with her letter, I am including a few photos from over the years.

“Dear All,

Has it really been a week since leaving? I am literally having my first alone moment since we arrived. The girls are dancing, Antwain is outside with some of the workers for our home, and I am savoring the relative silence - knowing it will be interrupted at any moment.

This week has continued to be such a blessing. We have enjoyed the week of holiday with the kids at SMK. There have not been a lot of activities, but somehow the days are passing quickly with dancing, music, games, and general merriment. Within the walls of SMK, life can be very simple... it is only on the outside that the complications of Uganda exist.

Melissa and Joanne, 2007

So... the standard greetings are: ‘How is America? How is Mama Gloria? How is (team member)?’ I am really quite amazed at the ability of everyone to remember every CTT member. There is really never an individual left out, which is so awesome.

Despite all of his protests, Antwain is again flourishing in Uganda. He has really rolled with many changes this week. He has rejoined daily activities with his friends, began drumming with the other boys ‘officially’, and has complained only minimally. He has found many new Ugandan foods to enjoy, although he is still opposed to eating porridge. He smiles and laughs with such freedom here that it really touches my heart. His boys are a good group... he particularly enjoys Francis, Rodderick, and Moses. Moses is growing deaf, so Antwain is very inclusive and protective when the others may not want to include him. And Antwain officially knows more Lugandan than me (again despite his protests that he would not learn).

Antwain, 2009

After spending three days searching for a school that is affordable and realistic, I have enrolled Antwain in Taibah Junior School. It is only 3km from Kajjansi, so he will take a small taxi bus from the Marketplace daily. The school has a Ugandan curriculum, but they are beginning an International Program in January. Antwain will start on Tuesday, and we had a good visit at the school yesterday. He is as excited as he can get with any school.

Ivan, Antwain, Roderick and Francis, 2009

Our house should be completed within the next couple of days. Tentative move-in day is Sunday. When I find my camera cord, I will send photos. It is much more modern and larger than I had envisioned. The painter is almost completed with the painting (the girls assisted me in choosing my colors). We have electricity (as long as the village does) and plumbing. The plumbing was a surprise to me... we have a faucet (with only cold water) in the bathroom and kitchen, and then we have a shower (hot water not probable). In addition there are outlets for me to connect a stove and fridge. The house connects to my office. We will go to Kampala on Saturday to shop for furniture. At that time I will also have a meeting with the Kavulus to discuss more about specific elements of my job. Despite my prompting they have wanted me to enjoy this week.

Melissa and Tina, 2008

Although there are many highlights to share already, there are two favorite parts of every day so far. One is having dinner at night with my sons. Henry is back from school, so we find a place by the Big Boy dormitory to have our dinner together and chat about all subjects. It is typically dark or growing dark so the stars are shining high above us creating a cocoon where I feel only we exist. Henry shares stories with Antwain about Uganda, and Antwain asks questions of Henry with such reverence. I sit back and thank the Lord for the blessings of these boys in my life. Then the other highlight is bedtime with the girls. They have taken to sitting or laying at various angles to my bed (which is a twin, so we are very crowded). I have tucked some of the little girls into bed and wished them goodnight. Then the other girls tell stories, sing songs, ask questions, and just enjoy being together. The same occurs when they realize that I am awake in the morning. (They tend to grow louder when they grow impatient for me to awaken.) There is an open affection and gentle teasing amongst the girls, but they are all accepting of one another. I really do love my girls, and I will miss sleeping with them (as they will me).

Melissa and Henry, 2009

Thanks to the Kavulus I have an adaptor for Internet at my home. As long as we have electricity, I should be able to call or email from the comforts of my home or office. Once we are moved in, I will write more frequently. Right now I just want all of you to know that we are safe and very happy.

Much love to you all,
Melissa”

fraction

I am pleased to announce that my Uganda portfolio is featured this month in Fraction Magazine. Hot off the press, Issue 18 also includes the work of Heather McClintock, Jason Houston and David Rochkind.

Fraction Magazine is an online photography magazine and photographic review. It was started in 2008 by David Bram and Joshua Spees in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Today it is edited and curated by David, an excellent photographer in his own right, and often includes guest curators and writers.

I’m thrilled to be included! Please take some time to peruse Fraction Magazine Issue 18.