i found a small lemon tree

by Emilie Sandy

"The public display of grief allows each individual to access their own losses." - Darian Leader

I lost my dad to a brain tumor. Four months later, I found my mum lifeless on her living room floor.

This book is a collection of images and diary entries I recorded during my father's illness and subsequent loss. Initially, I didn't intend to create a book. However, ten years later, I felt compelled to reflect on this period and share the raw reality of our experience. The book captures precious moments spent with my strong-willed father and my struggling mother.

This was an emotionally challenging time. My role as a daughter evolved, requiring me to balance caring for my father with supporting my mother's fragility. Creating this book allowed me to explore loss and grief creatively.

At the time, I didn't have a specific purpose for these images. Captured primarily on my iPhone, they offered a quick and discreet way to document our story.

Photography became my therapy, allowing me to detach from the harsh reality. As a daughter and caregiver, I also became a recorder of our journey.

Today, these sensitive and poignant images serve as a reminder of the importance of cherishing human connections.

Warning: This book contains content related to death that may be upsetting to some readers.