Sickness and Health
Meet my grandparents, George and Esther Cloud.
Esther lived with chronic pain and illness for decades and George was by her side every step of the way, taking on the role of caregiver in her final years.
I began documenting their life in 2017 in an effort to memorialize their love through photographs. This desire to preserve their legacy for my family’s current and future generations became a personal project spanning what would ultimately be their last months together.
The work was later published as a long form photo essay for The Bitter Southerner.
Esther developed pleurisy as a result of gallbladder removal surgery in December 2017. She was hospitalized in January 2018 for treatment. Antibiotics to treat the surgical side effects sent her into kidney failure and left her in a lethargic state.
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Till Death Do Us Part
Esther died in hospice care on January 20, 2018, survived by her husband of 53 years, George, 3 daughters, 4 siblings, 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson.
Since the death of his wife, George spends most of his time keeping busy at home and caring for his dog Molly, the Maltese he purchased as a gift for Esther.
New Beginnings
George remarried a fellow widow in late 2021, bringing a new partner and dog into the family, and filling his days with companionship.
