Heavy and beautiful photos documenting the love of a young dying mother

When Carolynn Saint-Pierre was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer, she knew how she wanted to die —surrounded by family. Carolynn had three children: Melissa, Brian and IDJ. In order for the five-year-old at that time to remember his mother, the young woman decided to undergo painful treatment for as long as possible.

Her life after the diagnosis was captured by documentary photographer Preston Gannaway — he received a Pulitzer Prize for this project. Preston began filming the family in the spring of 2006, and in February 2007, Saint-Pierre died at the age of 44. The photographer continued to shoot the family for some time to complete the story - a tragic love story.

Source: featureshoot.com

1. Carolynn is getting ready to read Ijea.

2. Holidays on the beach.

3. With her husband in the hospital.

4. Carolynn and IJ are at home while Rich is on a business trip.

5. At the funeral home. Rich started preparing for the funeral when the doctors said that Carolynn had a few weeks to live.

6. Carolynn records a farewell video for her children.

7. The last day of Carolynn's life. In another room, the eldest daughter Melissa is preparing for gymnastics competitions. The worse the mother got, the more time the girl spent outside the house. She and her two brothers handled the situation differently. Melissa later said she didn't believe her mother would die that day.

8. Rich kisses Carolynn at the moment when she dies.

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11. The quarrel with Brian occurred during a trip to Carolynn's grave.

12. Rich and IDJ plant trees in memory of Carolynn.

13. Ijei's first school day.

14. Rich visits Brian at a summer therapy camp.

15. Rich says goodbye to Brian and says that it will be easier for him to cope with grief after a trip to the camp.