In 2012, when I was 33 weeks pregnant with my second child (a very difficult pregnancy) my grandmother suffered a severe stroke. My doctors wouldn’t let me get on a plane, and it was one of the most stressful times in my pregnancy. I didn’t know if she would live to see my daughter and I didn’t know if I’d ever see her again. But she did survive, and she continues to this day to fight, though every day is a struggle. This year marks five years post stroke. It also marked the year my niece, my sister’s first child was born. On our trip to New Jersey to meet the new baby, it was imperative for me that we did a 4 generations photo shoot. We had the entire branch of a family tree in one spot, I wanted it in one picture. My husband, the photographer was able to capture this beautiful image.

4 generations, one branch of a family tree, in one spot*

In this picture is amazing strength. It’s the strength of a woman, who moved from the island of Puerto Rico, as a single mom with a fourth grade education to New York City with the hopes of building a better life for her son. It’s the picture of a son, who joined the Navy to have an education, and not only raised two daughters, but now cares for his mother daily. It’s the picture of two girls who were raised to be women who believe that they could do and be anything. These are women who want and can have it all, and try every day to do the best for their families. And it’s a picture of the future generation, being raised with these people as their inspirations, to grow up strong, powerful, and be anything, anyone they want to be. This, by far, is my favorite picture of 2017.

This has been part of the weekly photo challenge: 2017 Favorites

*Photo taken by Atma Photography