A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from Shelby asking me if I could come to her family’s place (Sutton Legacy Farm) and take some pictures after they plant trees in honor of their grandfather who had recently passed. This is the way they were choosing to celebrate his birthday this year.

For those of you who don’t already know - my mother-in-law passed away in February of 2019 and my father-in-law joined her in heaven this July on my daughter’s birthday. To say that the past two years have been rough on our family would be an understatement.

The only information I had about the Sutton family beforehand is what I have listed above. When I pulled into Granny’s (that’s what they call her and what she introduced herself to me as) driveway I saw a family sitting on the porch of a country home with a big farm behind them with lots of tractors & farm equipment. My mind immediately went to my own family. These were my kind of people.

We began with small talk and learned a little about each other and then they began telling me about their Phillip. He had passed in February and you could tell that the wound was still fresh for each of them.

I learned that Phillip & Granny were married over 50 years. They farmed together over 50 years. Tobacco & cows. They were hardworking people. They had one boy, a daughter in law and two grandchildren (their spouses are included in these pictures).

Granny told me most of this but not without tearing up here and there and I was doing the same, because I could relate to this family’s loss. I know what it’s like to have that big hole that one sweet overall wearing, man on a tractor can leave. I think the worst thing for me is that these men are so rare now, and they don’t just leave us. They take a way of life with them. And our world is changed because of it. But our world is left better because of them.

Mr. Phillip had a 55’ Belair that he loved. He and Granny frequently attended car shows together. So the whole family was insistent that we get some pictures of it. The sweetest part of it all is that I found out that Granny didn’t drive the car before Mr. Phillip passed. But now she’s been known to take it out for a drive. And I get that. Sometimes, the only way I can feel close to our Mimi is to go in the kitchen and fix a big spread of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and cornbread or sit outside and listen to the windchimes.

We ended our session by the trees they had planted in his memory. And though this session was a reminder of things that end, it made my heart happy to see all of the beginnings that were happening on that farm with this family.

To the Sutton Family - I’m positive that Mr. Phillip had to be a wonderful man to have left behind such a family as you all. I know your story and I feel your pain. I hope that these images are something that provides celebration and comfort to your hearts. I know they have for me. You all have been a blessing to me in more ways than you know. Thank you for letting me be a part of such a beautiful tribute to a great man.