A Time to Grieve

The week of July 31-August 4, 2006, was camp week for the members of two troupes of the Teelin Irish Dance Company. One of those days, amateur photographer extraordinaire, ZandB, generously took a day off work to come to the studio and photograph each dancer so that troupe portraits could be hung in the studio lobby.

That morning, the dancers arrived with their red school dresses, wigs and tiaras. ZandB arrived with his "toys": camera, lenses, tripod, fabric backdrop, and two new studio lights. The first dancer to be photographed was 15-year-old Amy. With extreme patience, Amy sat, stood, sat again, turned this way, that way... while the master photographer found the lighting and angle that he sought. Meanwhile, Amy's Dad, Doug Martin, quietly moved around the studio with his own camera, snapping pictures of his daughter.

There are certain people who have a gentle grace evident to anyone they meet. Amy and her Dad shared that grace with us. Their quiet smiles and simple goodness flowed freely, and the love that they shared for each other was overwhelming to witness, especially that morning. Amy didn't fidget, roll her eyes, or even comment on how long her portrait session was taking since she was first. That wasn't her way. Doug didn't interfere, or even seek to offer any advice. He smiled appreciatively, and took pictures of his own without intruding. For Doug and Amy, this morning was simply a fun opportunity to capture a picture of a dancer. And the smiles that they shared when their eyes connected with each other were almost giddy. They were so very genuine. Never was a father's love for his daughter more evident than Doug's. Never was a daughter's love her father more evident than Amy's.

Never, ever, did I think that I would be writing this, or posting this portrait for this purpose...

Amy and her father both died on Thursday, September 14, 2006, after an ocean swimming accident. Please keep Jeanne Martin (mother and wife) and Amy's five sisters in your prayers, along with all Martin family and friends.

Amy Martin

April 13, 1991 - September 14, 2006

http://www.teelin.com/amy.htm

For everything, there is a time.

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
Ecclesiastes 3:4

Jeanne Martin home schools her daughters. Amy was the second oldest of six girls. For anyone who may be interested, donations for educational scholarships for the five surviving daughters may be made payable to "The Doug and Amy Martin Memorial Education Fund" and mailed to:

Education Fund

c/o Mr. Dale Murphy, Trustee

P.O. Box 222

Gambrills, MD 21054