This is a hard post to write. It’s a post that among all the happiness and good news that usually abound in my little corner of the internet, cuts straight through to the core of it all and brings me to my knees.
The other week, on the train back from Paris, an email from one of my grooms popped up and I smiled as I thought it was such a happy coincidence Marc getting in touch with me just then, what with me being on my way back from France, his home country. My smile died quickly as I started reading the words that followed.
‘Hi Marianne,
I am saddened beyond words to say that my wonderful wife Carolyn, love of my life, generous and tender hearted mother of our little baby Camille, passed away this Wednesday. No one can start to understand how her time could have come so early and tragically, her being so young, fit and so full of love to give to everyone around her, full of life, exciting projects and fondness for Camille, our little family being at the peak of happiness.
She had a cardiac arrest during her sleep last Sunday morning, with no sign of warning. She was reanimated and kept in coma in the Hospital in Poitiers, France, leaving the earthly life 5 days later to remain in us all, the hearts that she touched, in our baby daughter’s beautiful eyes, and not forgetting the people saved by the organs she donated.
Live every day intensely, fill every day will love.
Marc’
Even now these words cause my chest to tighten and a huge wave of sadness to wash over me, and it is impossible – and too painful – to even try to comprehend what Marc is going through right now.
Carolyn & Marc’s wedding was a true celebration of the deep love between them, and I don’t think anyone who got to spend time with Carolyn will ever forget what a sweet, vivacious spirit she had, and how brightly she shined. I feel honoured that she touched my life, and she will forever profoundly remind me of what it is that is important. To live now. To love now. To hold each other now. We don’t know what is around the corner.
Sadly I can’t be present today as Carolyn is being laid to rest, but I couldn’t not say goodbye. So here it is, my farewell to Carolyn, in the only way I know how – by remembering her beauty through images.
If you feel moved to, please feel free to donate in Carolyn’s memory to Cardiac Risk in the Young.
Sad.
Oh wow, don’t even know how to write any words on this post but feel compelled to say something. Can see from your images Carolyn’s spirit is truly beautiful and clearly she touched so many lives. Very moving yet so sad. Thoughts and well wishes to the family! Much Love xxxx
Just overwhelmingly sad. My heart breaks for her little family.
So so sad.. I cannot imagine the indescribable pain for her family right now.. my thoughts are with them..
I’m so saddened by this. :( May she rest in peace and all my thoughts to go to Marc. <3
So very sad. Beautiful photographs. My thoughts are with Carolyn’s family at this difficult time.
:-( my thoughts are with her family and friends.
Oh my… So so sad. This is the 3rd time in the last week I’ve heard someone leaving this world too young. Can’t imagine the pain her family is going through. Will be thinking of them x
A tear has just dropped on my keyboard as I began to type. Such sad news.
So sad. My thoughts are with Carolyn’s family xx
I’m so sorry to hear of this loss … my thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
Words cannot express how saddened I am with the news of Carolyn’s sudden passing. I had the honour to be part of her and Marc’s beautiful wedding day assisting and second shooting for Marianne. Their wedding after all these years remains a very vivid memory for me for the tangible love we witnessed throughout the day.
My heart really goes out to Marc and little Camille; I am so so sorry for your loss.
:-( such sadness…. wishing her family lots of strength and remembrance of beautiful memories. Such beautiful words by Marc “Live every day intensely, fill every day will love.”
This is really sad. Fantastic Tribute.
Finding it hard to type through my tears. How cruel life can be I feel so desparately sorry for Marc. Your tribute to Carolyn is beautiful; a lesson to us all to enjoy life to the full and make every day count. What an awful email for you to receive and I feel sure Marc must be so pleased he has such stunning images of his wife to treasure.
This is such a moving post and such a terribly sad story. One small speck of light on this desolate landscape is that Marc has your beautiful pictures to treasure.
I can’t believe I’ve only just found out. I’m so sad. Just so sad. But to see how Marc has publicy handled this through his Facebook page and even his email to you above is to heart wrenching, touching yet inspirational.
Beautiful post Marianne that highlights the fragility of life and urges me more than ever to want to live in the moment and treasure every moment I have with my Husband, daughters and loved ones, no matter how non-descript and inconsequential those moments may seem at the time. There is beauty in every moment you are alive. Something magical in every breath we take. Each day I live longer, this messages reinforces itself more and more to me, but then you hear about a tragic loss like this and it makes me want to hug and hold the faces of my loved ones and tell them from my heart I will love them forever, in ways human language cannot even describe.
“Live every day intensely, fill every day will love.”
I’m going to print this out and frame it.
xXx