Anybody who knows me a little bit knows this is my favorite picture. Its my oldest daughter Caitlin, about six months old, trying to walk. She couldn’t quite get the hang of it right then, but trust me, she already knew walking was where it was at. She saw that people who could walk could get places faster, and she was definitely interested in that, even as a tyke. Heck with this crawlin’ shit! I’m gonna walk!
Wasn’t too long after this she indeed was walking, and very soon thereafter, running. She has pretty much lived her life (she’s 23 now) with the pedal to the metal.
Much to her old man’s consternation. She has had, well, a tumultuous early life, let’s put it that way. She pushed the envelope, her’s and mine, and we have had some tough, angry times. But its not all on her. (Never is, right?) I’ve been a here and there dad, being a roving photog. We used to use the term “magic daddy” sometimes when she was small. She would go to bed and I’d be there, and wake up, and I’d be gone. Or vice versa. Sometimes when I would be home, I really wasn’t. Tired or distracted, we’d snuggle for a bedtime story, and once, I just said, “You know, sweetie, dad’s so tired tonight I don’t think I can get through even one story.”
She reached over a tiny hand (she was about two) and patted me on the shoulder and said, “Don’t worry daddy, just do the best you can.”
I put alot on her, of course. Between being gone, and also kind of making her my daughter and my son. Got her scuba certified when she was 12. Took her on her first night dive three dives after her cert. Trust me, when the ocean gets inky black, it can freak even some experienced divers. She was unfazed, and fascinated.
She rode a horse like a bat outta hell. Coming back from camp, she allowed that she had won the competition where you stand on the horse’s back, barefoot, holding the reins. I didn’t really want to know. She once broke her arm snowboarding, and sawed off the cast after about a week cause it was “bothering her.”
She kind of just knows. She can sit at the tiller of a boat and know how to drive it. I let her drive my pickup on the NY State Thruway and points everywhere when she was 15. (Yes, its true. I’ll never be the cover subject of Parenting magazine.) I put both her and her sister Claire on a dog sled years ago for a joyride and Claire got seriously cold. Caity opened her jacket, untucked her shirt, took Claire’s boots off and stuck her sister’s feet next to her skin, and then just folded herself on top of Claire. She just knows.
She’s a pretty good grip. She can handle a c-stand and ratio a pack. She’s been to the Eddie Adams Workshop at least seven times. But she has no interest in photography. She kind of grew up in a photo hothouse. Her mom is the DOP of the New York Times. Her dad is, well, her dad. She has chosen a different path. Can’t say as I blame her.
But she’s a tough kid. Cool under pressure. She’d be good to have in the foxhole with you when the chips are down.
Two days before Turkey Day, she was leaving her boyfriend Ryan’s house early in the morning, and she hit black ice. Her car slid right off the roadside where there should be a guardrail and plunged down a 40′ ravine, rolling over twice. It came to rest upside down. Caity was left hanging in her seatbelt, also upside down, and covered in blood. She was lucky to still be conscious. There is no sight line from the road to the ravine, and no one saw her go over. She could have easily bled to death at the bottom.
She unbuckled her belt. And was collected enough to grab the oh shit handle above the passenger door and with both feet, bust out the passenger window. She clambered back up to road, still spilling blood everywhere. She doesn’t remember walking back to Ryan’s house.
At the hospital, she got 3 stitches in her hand. All her cranial wounds were left to close on their own. Cat scans were negative. She was stiff and sore, but told me she was thinking of going to work that day. Wiser heads prevailed.
As I told her tonight, maybe the best genetic gift I gave her was a hard head. I’m very thankful for that.
More tk….
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Joe:
thanks for sharing this.
Thank God! your daughter is “0k”.
great cranium genetics!
Woah, real life is always more dramatic than fiction. Pleased to hear she’s doing OK.
Caitlin sounds like an extraordinary woman. I’m so glad she’s okay! What a brave girl!
Laura
please send my best to Katie. our prayers are with her for a fast recovery.
Joe, as the mother of two teen-agers, I got chills reading your post. I’m so glad Caitlin is going to be OK.
Stories like this just re-awake the fearful mortality feeling I’ve had when it is someone close to me who encounters a life changing moment such as Caitlin’s. I’m glad she is OK and your story will help you “get it out”. Life goes on… but never the same. Keep on and God’s speed, Caitlin.
Joe,
Indeed it is something to be thankful for.
Maybe you should dig out one of her childhood story books and read her another story — no matter how tired you are 🙂
Precious moments indeed!
And all this happened just last Tuesday?! Man, this must have been a hectic time for you. I wish her a speedy recovery.
Joe,
I have been through this situation twice with my oldest son. It’s tougher on us Dad’s than it is on the kids. Glad to hear Kaitlin will be okay. Best wishes for a speedy recovery for both of you.
Joe, you scared the shit outta me. That could be MY little daughter trying to walk in that photo. I thought you were going to give us terrible news.
I am so thankful your daughter escaped serious harm. God bless you both.
Joe
I feel for you and your daughter. Been there. There is no sicker feeling than that call from the hospital about your kid, no matter what age they happen to be. I hope both of you recover quickly.
Joe,
Thank you for sharing, thank the creator she is ok and safe(ish), and thanks for the lesson in perspective.
w
Joe,
Very glad to know Caity is okay. God bless all of you. Thank’s for sharing this very personal and warm story about your family.
Rob
Joe, Amazing. As a new dad I have the gift to look forward and backwards in time over every unimaginable thing that could possibly go wrong. John Irving said it’s how he wrote the World According to Garp, and here you are, now telling your own story – though it’s real – there’s a happy ending here where we both know, for many other parents, there isn’t.
Your daughter now has a great story to tell her kids someday…
Whew.
Thank God Caity was OK, must’ve been a joyous Thanksgiving this year!
So glad to hear that your daughter is OK, Joe! Thank you for taking time to visit our Strobist group in Vancouver during this trying time for you!
Joe,
As a father of a daughter, and as somebody who sees accidents like your daughter’s everyday at work, please know my best wishes and thoughts are with your family. I’m glad Caitlin is ok.
It was a pleasure meeting you today.
Cheers,
Ian
Thank goodness she’s okay.
My daughter is just three and is at the age of wanting books read to her. I’ll be more patient now that I’ve read your post:)
Wow, rough holiday! For everyone! Glad to hear Caitlin is OK after all that. The Big Fella looking out maybe…..always loved this image and was happy to see it in TMIC. I’m still looking to shoot something similar of my little one…
She sounds like a strong girl:]
I’m happy she’s okay. I’ll be praying for y’all.
Wow. Brave of you to put this out there. Wonderful writing, it really speaks to me and some events of my past. Thank God it didn’t turn out any worse! My best to you and yours.
Wonderful photo, by the way. I wish I had photos like that of my kids.
I am very grateful that she is okay. Our family will keep her in our thoughts and prayers while she recovers. What a blessing that nothing more serious happened.
Kind of puts everything else in perspective. Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.
Sincerely,
Gary
Wow – Glad she’s ok – Scary stuff.
You are both blessed….with life and the many talents that is enjoyed by all of us.
It, life that is, reminds us what’s truly important sometimes doesn’t it. Sharpened perspective is a good thing. Thanks for sharing and remind us of our own. Carpe diem. Squeeze tight.
I visited your blog again and wondered why you posted Katie’s old photograph again.
I am so sorry to hear what happened but then again, very thankful nothing happened to her. I am very glad she’s ok.
Send my regards to her and your family.
cheers from Dubai!
Joe,
I am most happy and relieved to hear that Caitlin is OK. 6 years ago, the day before Canadian Thanksgiving, my 19 year old daughter fell from her horse, she did not survive. We have many wonderful memories of a strong person who was similar to how you described Caitlin.
Treasure every minute with your girls.
Jay
I visited your blog again and wondered why you posted Katie’s old photograph again.
I am so sorry to hear what happened, but then again very thankful she’s fine. I’m glad she’s ok.
Send my regards to her and your family.
cheers from Dubai!
All the best wishes and a speedy recovery.
I wish Katie All the best !
glad to hear she’s okay… I love these little inklings we get about your life from your blog and lets just say you live an interesting life.
anyways good to hear an angel is on ur side… we’ve had some turkeyday accidents of our own down here in texas… some didn’t have a happy ending… Glad to see that there is alot to be thankful for during thanksgiving…
Jenn and I wish Caity a quick recovery. -Man- she’s good..
RC
As a grandparent with little ones in the about to crawl stage, I can definitely relate to this picture!
So glad to hear Caitlin is doing alright.
Love and hugs to you all.
Mike.
Your daughter sounds like a very tough reslient young lady. Thank goodness she remained calm and given the situation things worked out well.
Joe,
Thanks for the good news that Caitlin’s OK – every good wishes for a speedy recovery. This ‘parenting’ stuff’s really hard sometimes, isn’t it ?
God bless you.
Ian
All the best to you and your family during the Holidays, Joe! I’m so glad that things ended up alright. That is a scary story, and it definitely puts things in focus. Hope she feels better soon. ..mike
Thank God your daughter is okay.
Thank you for writing this piece. It’s very touching!
wow, I’m glad she survived, my stomach did a backflip when you got to the part where she goes over the cliff.
Hugs to you and yours, and I hope she gets well quickly.
Sounds like the sort of daughter every parent wishes for. All things considered, I’d say you’ve been dealt a good hand in this life, Joe. I’d be thankful too.
I wish Caity a speedy recovery.
Thank god and glad that Caitlin is okay. Don’t worry so much big guy!
Hope that she have a speedy recovery.
Ill hug my kids a bit tighter today joe
guess her dads luck radiates out
regards
Reg
Joe,
So so sorry to hear this. And very glad she is ok. As a parent, I can’t imagine what you’ve gone through these last few days. I hope I speak for all of us who read your blog regularly, when I say we are all thankful that Caitlin is ok.
All the best wishes for her and for you.
Brian C
Good luck and Godspeed to both of you. Something to be thankful for indeed.
My dad was a newspaper photog and while he didn’t travel much he did work very odd hours, which changed every 2 months. There were long periods that I barely saw him. It tough, this thing about having a career and family. I remember being on a business trip and getting a call that my daughter was in the hospital, 2500 miles away. Nothing worse, even now that mine are grown…..
I’ll be praying for Caitlin and for you Joe. Hang in there. Thanks for the great post! She sounds like a great kid!
We ran across the term “spirited” as we tried to figure out how to be a good parent — basically spirited can summed up with the word “more.” 2 broken arms, fractured skull, totaled car and injured shoulder. I thought girls would be easier in those respects but glad to know I am in good company. Best for a fast recovery. Precious, precious picture.
Wow, what a story, Joe! I read this with mixed emotions – happiness, because Caitlin survived her ordeal with manageable injuries; and worry, because my daughter (who’s middle name is Caitlin) is currently traveling back to college on the snowy, slick Michigan roads.
Woah. Things can change in the blink of an eye.
I’m happy for her AND you…
Tough doesn’t begin to describe it, obviously. Glad to hear she’s fine, but it’s stories like this that make me glad to be in a country without snow and ice.
Joe – Thanks for the little snippet into your life. I am glad your “lil” girl is doing fine and I pray for her speedy recovery. There are surely a lot of Blessings that we ALL take for granted and certainly, family is one of them. Hope you had a blessed thanksgiving bro !!
Joe, that is a story that could have had a tragic ending, but came out a different way. I am happy for the both of you..
Wow. Anyone who has kids had their heart skip a beat or two on reading that story. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your daughter.
I think she got her hard head from her father 🙂
I hope she has a speedy recovery.
Mike
Thanks for sharing, Joe. It’s like reading about my own last week and grateful thoughts. My daughter just had an accident last week, too, this one on a slushy road that ended up with half her car sheared off by a telepone pole… thankfully the passenger side with no one in it. She’s also bruised, shaken and sore, but alive.
It’s a crazy world. Thank God for hard heads.
Joe, what is there to say? At first I did nothing but identify and then shock and then relief. Thank goodness she is ok. If there is a more powerful being then us, and I believe there is, then this proves that both you and Caitlin did something very right. No doubt that Annie played a big role as well as Caitlins Mother. I’m glad she is ok.
Tom
Hi Joe,
best wishes for your daughter!!
From the stories you told i guess she’s a tough young lady and i hope
the best for her!
I feel with you, i experienced something similar, just that it was my dad
being at the border to the next world…
Wish you well and i hope you will have a nice Xmas time with your family,
Marc
amazing joe! i’m really glad that your daughter is ok. as a dad who also has a little girl…there’s something pretty damn special about the bond between a father and a daughter.
i’m thankful. be well.
Oh, Joe
I’ve got one just like her.
She hit this planet with her motor running and hasn’t stopped since. It has been all that I can do to keep up with her.
I know you must have felt like the Hand of God was squeezing your chest when you got the call, and “thankful” doesn’t begin to describe the cascade of feelings that must have followed. The one thing an adventurous daughter will teach a parent is gratitude and humility.
God may bless them and watch over them, but he has to take better care with their parents. Sometimes we need it!
It is good to know that she is going to be just fine, I am grateful along with you.
Alice
Hey, I didn’t think you were just telling us that you were thankful for your daughter for not reason, but hey, that ending hits like a train wreck. I join the chorus in wishing her a fast recovery, and a return to life at warp speed. 🙂
Joe,
glad Caitlin is OK. The title of the post says it all…
“Things to be Thankful For….”
Jay
Wow, this is something that begin a new parent (5 month old boy) scares the living mierda (spanish for poop) out of me. I am glad she is ok and she will get better and that you didn’t get a heart attack.
Perhaps you and your wife SHOULD be on the cover of a Parenting magazine. It sounds like you both did a great job with a wonderful daughter.
I’m so relieved at how this turned out, Joe. You’re a good father to cherish every moment.
Definitely could have been worse, though. She could have woke up in a remote cabin, bandaged up in a bed, being tended to by her “Number 1 fan”.
Shudder.
Joe, you claim you’d never make the cover of Parenting, but I’ll tell you, as a woman who was raised much the way you raised your daughter that you did better by her than anyone who was too close and too careful. You raised a self-sufficient human. Someone who can take care of things. And that’s rare.
Glad she’s okay.
Joe: I am sorry to hear about Caitlyn’s accident — I hope she makes a full recovery soon!
Joe, Those of us who lived a traveling career during our kids’ early years always wonder. I know that I do. In a perfect world, we wish we could provide for our families doing things that inspire us and the people around us and never miss a bedtime story or a soccer match. Good for our kids that we must make practical choices which force them to learn how to stand up on their own. God’s plan is far more sophisticated than our own. That is truly something to be thankful for.
Jack
Thanks for sharing this Joe. Thanks God she’s OK!
Joe, your daughter is a remarkable young woman. I’d say she was lucky, but from the stories you’ve told us and written about her, I don’t think luck played a big part in this. I’m very glad to hear she’s ok and wish you and your family a safe Holiday season.
Wow, Caitlin sounds like one tough girl! So happy it turned out well for you. You will all be in my prayers!
Geez you scared me to death, Mr. McNally! I keep my fingers crossed for Caitlin to recover quickly. Looks like she’s a really tough young woman – she will be ok sooner than anyone expects.
I feel your pain, my brother. My baby girl’s 28 and very hard headed! I don’t know where she gets it.
Glad she’s okay.
Good lord! What a thing to be thankful for. 🙂
Good to hear she is OK. Scarry things.
Thanks for the reminder. It’s a weird life we live, and it’s good to be reminded from time to time how much of it should be appreciated.
Best to your daughter in her recovery. And to your nerves as well.
– MG
Wow Joe, touching story and then the end! Glad she’s OK, here’s to a quick recovery.
Thanks for sharing Joe and glad she came through okay. Reminds us of what is really important in life. Blessings to you & yours.
That was such an intense story. I am very thankful to hear that your Daughter is ok. Its a good reminder to appreciate all the time we have with the people we love never knowing what could happen tomorrow. There is so much to be thankful for!
I’ve got a 19 year old daughter who drives over Snoqualmie Pass in Washington all the time, and I can’t stop thinking about her since I read your post.
Joe, I think you’re every bit as good conveying emotions verbally as you are photographically, and that’s saying something.
I’m happy she wasn’t seriously hurt, and that you shared her story with us. Thanks.
I’m glad your kid is okay. That’s a scary story. Wow.
Wow Joe, Goosebumps. I’m so glad she’s okay.
Hi Joe,
I dont know if you remember me, but i’ve been a friend of caity’s since we were about 9 at camp sloane- i modeled for you a few years ago but havent seen or spoken to you since then.
i think i just cried my way through that entire story, partially because i, too was there for most of it. but also because i miss her terribly and i’m glad to know she’s okay now, but it sucks that this is the first thing i’ve heard of her aside from every once in a while “she’s doin’ alright” from claire.
i just wanted to send my love to you guys and hope that maybe you could ask caity to call me. and i’d really like to come see her if i could.
have a wonderful holiday season,
Cassie
Joe, sounds like you raised an amazing young woman. I’am so glad she is OK. Looks like you were very blessed this Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing.
Joe,
Being the father of 3 boys (18, 18, and 16) and having travelled or worked late most of their young life, I can appreciate your situation. Thank God my kids have been blessed and not experienced something like this, only minor contact with trees, ice, and fence posts. Thank God she is alright. Things like this really make you appreciate what you have. Thanks for sharing.
I join the multitudes in wishing Caitlin, you and the rest of your family a speedy recovery. Thank you for sharing such a touching personal story. I think what happens frequently for parents who are away from their families is that because they are gone and miss out on a lot of the “growing up”, they make it a point to make it up to them and do a lot with them when they are able to. It sounds like your case, Joe. Those of us who are not away from our loved ones and are able to be home with them every night often take that time for granted and sometimes also miss some of the growing up. I know I have found myself guilty at times. You have caused us all to stop and think about things to be thankful for. Truly beautiful photo!
Thanks for sharing, and reminding us of why we are thankful. Best wishes and fast healing!
Sorry. We take care of them and then one day they are taking care of us.
Simply an incredible story, Joe. I’m glad to hear she’s doing well. All the best for her in a speedy recovery!
Joe,
So glad Caitlan is OK. I was really worried when you started talking about the wreck!
I sort of know what you were going through–I have 2 daughters that both gave me fits as they were growing up. They are 26 and 24 now and have both turned out OK but I really had my doubts at times. I have no hair now but other than that I have survived!
Again, so glad Caitlan was not seriously injured. Best to you and your family.
Tom
Joe, you’re such a nutty guy…normally, then, every once in a while, you write something so elequent it stops people in their tracks. (your story about the 911 photos comes to mind. )
Had a similar experience with my older son, but instead of going down a ravine, he tried driving up a cliff and flipped his car end over end.
Glad to hear that Katie’s okay. Tell her people all around the world, who are fans of her dad, are thinking of her.
Really relieved to hear that everything was ok in the end. It must have been a gut-wrenching experience though. It just shows you how important seat belts are….. and letting the people you love know that you love them too.
Richard
Wow, thanks goodness it was only the bruises!! I hope she will have a speedy recovery and she said it to you at age two, do your best and spend the most time you can with her.
Joe,
My dad and I have always been extremely close, and I consider him more then my best friend. Like you and your daughter, we’ve fought, yelled, cried, and loved over the years. Reading this made me realize how thankful and lucky I really am to have someone like that in my life. You yourself are very lucky to have a family like you have.
Through your photos, techniques, and stories, you’ve allowed my dad and I to become closer then we’ve ever been. We both have a passion for art and photography, and admire your work very much. The other day, we were freezing in the back yard taking pictures cracking up about how Joe would’ve tossed a couple SB900’s on the roof and a few on the fence to really make this photo shine.
Thanks for the story buddy, and I’m happy your daughters alright. Happy Holidays
Well at least she is well, a bit bruised and battered, hope she gets better,
my dad is getting old now scarily old he is now slowing down and I dont get to see him as much as I could. She knows you love her, you are not born with mental courage, you are not born to succeed, those come with family love and what ever your mistakes of the past look at the person you nurtured and created.
I dont have a family of my own, something I regret but if I was to have daughter I would want like yours.
Rich
Joe,
God bless Caitlin. Thank God for hard heads — I too survived an accident with only a lump on the temple and a slightly sloshed brain. It’s a great excuse for me today!
This morning, because state of Ilinois passed a law where motorists have to stop for pedestrians IN A CROSSWALK, a young lady walked in front of my van, followed by two of her tots, headed for the Catholic school across the street. No crosswalk, didn’t matter. Chicago got a blast of icy snow last nite and roads were slick. I was going 5mph, engaged the brakes, slid, even with anti-locks and laid on the horn to warn her. The van fishtailed. She flipped me the bird. I rolled down the window and splained her a fact of life. “Please don’t do this anymore, you’re putting your kids’ lives at risk.” She was speechless. No name calling, just the truth. Hope the message sunk in.
Let’s all put the cell phones down, put both hands on the wheel and be careful, all right?!
Hi Joe,
What a story! I just recently sighed up for you blog and this is the first time I’ve read it. It’s going to be tough for you to top this!
I’m about your age and have four kids that have given me 30 years of a crazy, tumultuous, sometimes frightening, but always interesting ride. But in the final analysis they are a tremendous blessing, and my life would be woefully lacking without them. I’m so glad to hear that Caitlin is safe and will continue to keep your life enriched and slightly panicked!
haze
I’m so sorry to hear that. I’ve been a big fan over the years and you guys almost are almost family to me. You know how it is when we feel like we know you just because we read(watch) you 🙂
Now it’s time for daddy to take some time off. Take care of the little girl (they always are to the eyes of a loving father) and get back on track whenever you feel like. Will miss you but it’s ok 😉
Our toughts are withyou guys, hang in there and see you soon.
From a foreign men from a foreign country (as you would say about Dave Cross) takecare, we got your back 😉
So glad to hear that your daughter is all right. Tough cookie, I’d say, and very blessed! Thanks for sharing the story.
Joe,
the telephone call is one you don’t ever want to get. Yesterday my daughter Emily was driving back to RIT where she is a sophonore Photojournalism student. The 5 hour drive to Rochester was in heavy holiday traffic, made more difficult by rain, freezing rain and snow. About 3 1/2 hours since she left, I got that call you dread. She had been in an accident on the NYS Thruway. As she cried and tried to speak, I got the words that she was not hurt, nor the other driver, but her car was off in the median. I shot out of the house, and made it through the rain and snow to Chittanango and the rest stop she was able to limp the car to with the help of a State Trooper. I gave her the biggest hug, and reassured her that everything was alright, and I would be there whenever and wherever I could if she needed me. We spent the night in Canastota, and got some cables, lashed down the bent up hood, tested the car, and followed her all the way to Rochester, stopping at each rest stop to make sure that she and her car was okay. We got to her to her apartment, and got her car to a local body shop, where it is going to take a fair amount of work to get it back together and safe. She was mortified, but we talked it out, and we both learned from this. I made the 5 hour trip back, having traveled over 700 miles in a little over 24 hours, but am able to say we are all safe and sound, and she made it to class.
I opened my computer this morning to read your post. I could not think clearly, knowing I had to get her to Rochester and myself back home in the rain and snow. Upstate weather is so difficult – I went to school at Colgate, just south of Utica and Syracuse.
Like any other parent, it is the toughest thing to let them go, and let them find their way when they stumble and get hurt. You cannot protect them always, but boy it hurts.
My heart goes out to you, your daughter, her mother and Annie. I hope all is well.
Bill Bogle, Jr.
I have two girls, 9 and 14. In their own individual ways they are like Catlin. I was reading your post and got scared. Man I love a happy ending. ‘Cause this is a happy ending. Take care of her (if she lets you) and of yourself,
Pierre
Joe,
I’m glad she is OK. I used to be a cop and I have seen more than my share of bad accidents. Prayers and thoughts are with the both of you.
A chilling story with, I hope, a happy ending. I also have two teenage daughters, not quite old enough to drive yet. Driving is only one of the activities out in the world that I wish I could always be there to protect them. But I know that I can’t, of course. And probably shouldn’t even if I could. To be a parent is to worry, it’s how life is. Your story reminded me how much I have to be thankful for, most especially two healthy daughters. May yours go forward from here in health and happiness.
moving story, and very moving photograph… thank goodness she is okay.. may her recovery be swift…
Glad she is ok. I pray that she will have a speedy recovery.
It cannot be said enough how fortunate she was and how relieving it is to have THAT ending out of all the other negative possibilities: as such, my best wishes for Caitlin to get back into the thick of things as quickly as she and her splendid family can manage. It touches deep how you have shared; I know personally that I will take every opportunity to wish love to those close to me, because there are not too many moments to do so in one’s life. From a family wrought with a few too many (one is too many, let alone three) of these sorts of occurrences, this is truly powerful and gripping – and written with love that is readily apparent. Take care.
thanks for sharing this. we all have our ups and downs and this post got me stoked on life again. merci.
Joe, thanks for sharing this about you and your daughter. She is one tough cookie and you should be proud to have her as a daughter and I am sure that you are….
Joe,
I’m glad to hear that Caitlin is doing well. Here’s to a quick recovery and I wish you and your family all the best.
Stephen
Joe,
Don’t beat yourself up too much for being an imperfect father. I am sure you did the best you could at that point in time in your life. We forget that young people aren’t perfectly finished products the minute we become parents. We too are works in progress. We all have regrets and we all make mistakes…some are big ones. What matters now is not that the mistakes happened but that we acknowledge them and then how we deal with them. We shouldn’t look back with a heart full of regrets. We must look forward with a heart full of hope and take comfort in the knowledge that you can write your own future as it relates to your relationship with your daughter. Take advantage of the time you have with her…now.
So there you go….unsolicited advice from an equally imperfect father.
By the way…I am looking forward to seeing you in Yellowstone this January.
Regards,
Al
Joe,
So happy to hear Caitlin is well and doing fine. I can recall when my son was with me in Hawaii at the age of 7. Never thought he’d make it to the age of 8 due to the constant accidents. It’s nice to know that our dear Lord looks out for our children.
She sounds fearless. I’m really glad she’s okay. And I must say, you sure know how to tell a story, especially one that makes a fellow parent’s heart strings pull.
Hope she’s ok, my thoughts are with you.
Kind Regards
Dave
Amazing story Joe…I am glad to hear that Caitlin is okay and hope that her recovery is perfect.
Best Wishes,
Michael
Sure is a happy ending.I spent 6 years painting murals at John Hunter Childrens Hospital,Newcastle Australia ( 6 months in the paediatric emergency dept) I love happy endings….so many are not…I love to hear gratitude….
Thanks for the thoughtful and meaningful blog. I have learned so much just by seeing and reading. Your photos and thoughts show me how the humanity of the race is still the best thing going. It is so strong in the photographers I know. Several photographers that I talk to have gone through so much in the last 3 months. Car wrecks, back surgeries and just plain sick. Through it all I have seen the cream of our human nature shine. Sharing and caring in this wonderful community we call photography. I hope your daughter heals quickly and thanks for sharing.
Mike Bruckner
Joe,
Wow…your blog about your daughter Caitlin rings soo close to home. I’m very thankful that she’s going to be ok. As a dad with a daughter roughly the same age, I can only imagine what you and your wife must’ve gone through. (fortunately, my own daughter’s car mishaps have been minor). Thank God she’s ok, and I send my thoughts and prayers your way…
That is one hell of a way to tell the story, dude. Shit, Joe . . . .
Glad to hear that Caity is o.k.
Joe, I’d like to thank you again for your lecture/workshop today in Vancouver. I do not know how you managed to maintain such a humor with this weighing on your mind.
I wish her a quick recovery (and she seems to be doing that quite well)!
All the best,
Ami
Got interrupted while leaving a message the other day, glad to hear she’s doing well. Keep up the great work.
May God bless her. I hope she gets well soon. Best wishes for you and your family.
I have a 23 year old too, I just hope she would be as together as your’s was after her accident. My prayers are with her for a speedy recovery.
Hey Caity,
When i was 25 I rolled my car a brand new 2004 Pontiac Vibe. I only had if for about a month. It was the weirdest feeling one second going down a road at 50mph and next you are spinning like a helicopter propeller. I just closed my eyes and just wanted everything to stop.
Well it did and I was so glad. I felt no pain.. I opend my eyes turned off the engine and went to unbucle my seat belt. Next thing you know I fell to the ceiling of my new car. I then realized the car was upside down and I couldn’t open the drivers door. I ended up climbing in the back seat and one of the doors opened. It was the the scariest thing yet exciting thing I have ever felt. I really felt the meaning of being alive.
I could of died if the car turned one more or one less of a spin. I would of been crushed by a big boulder that destroyed the whole back of my Vibe. I am lucky to be here today, and I am lucky for every day,
I walked away with a couple of bruises and scratches.. An experience like this is an eye opener and a testament to the saying that “one day we are here and next day we are gone.
Enjoy your gift and treasure it for ever.
😉
Rene
It might a bit too late to post this comment, but after reading your post, I just had to comment. So here goes….
That’s one heck of a post of a father describing his daughter’s life and his around the same. As a father of 2 daughters I fully understand and appreciate the nostalgic incidents that you have narrated in this post.
To have your daugther go through an accident is like someone putting a knife through your heart and I m so relieved that she’s fine and hence her dad’s fine too.
This post touched my heart and I really liked the way you have narrated her entire life till now around you…
With two daughters myself in the same age range (and it sounds like similar dispositions) I can empathize with you – of course really happy to hear she is ok. Definately something to be thankful for on Thanksgiving. Best to you and your family.
Jack
Joe, Yes, babies bounce. You speak matter-of-factly about something all parents dread… I’m happy that Caitlin is doing well!
Joe,
This is touching. I am glad that everything is OK. Tough one you have there.
Thanks for the story and background. I can relate as I have two daughters of my own and I hope to be able to give them the traits you have given yours. You are an inspiration to me and I love to see things through your eyes.
Rob.
Joe, gled to know she’s allright, hope she recovers soon!
Wishing you and your family all the best and a safe and happy future!
Loved your first book, taught me stuff that far exceeded the purchase price, can’t wait for the next.
Bless you all!
May God bless both of you.
OMG Joe! I am so glad to hear that she is okay!
The life that we have is all that we have and a parents life belongs to our children. So close to a different ending, like her photo, think your girl is destined for a long and distinguished life and a big crash is not getting in her way. Bet it made you feel a few years older, did me reading it and it was not even my daughter. Hope you all have a great holiday!
Joe, I am so happy that she wasn’t more hurt. She and your family are in my prayers this holiday season. The story you wrote of your relationship with her was beautiful.
How lucky you are still having your garnny. Mine became 104 years old, born in 1891. She was a strong lady. Hopefully your garnny will feel better when the spring is on for real. Seems your garnny is a strong lady too living alone at her age. I wish her all the best.I got to know a story about my garnny after her death, and the story was not known in the family at all. One of my customers came to me and offered me a photo. She did wonder whether I knew the couple on the image. I saw at once it was my garnny (very young at age) but the man beside her I didn’t know. Well, it turned out to be her first fianc? and nobody ( in the family) ever knew she had been engaged before marrying my grandad. My customer was kind enough to give me the photograph, and now it’s amongst my treasures.Lovely Sunday to you.Laila