Story

My first time in my grandmother's home —
A visit that only came about from losing her,
the last living person with a grand title.

I knew her, but I didn’t.
I knew an older, softer version of my grandmother.

I wonder who she was when she built this home.
I wonder who she was when she married my grandfather —
a man with a grand title I never met, but whose grand stories I’ve only heard.

I thought about how beautiful it was
that she wanted to keep her own home
and build others even after she married.

She built a home with many rooms.
I believe that approach to opening doors and making room for people in her home is why her send off was as grand as her impact.

How communal those times must have been.
As I drove through her hometown
and saw the homes of her community —
everyone within walking distance of each other —
all I could do was imagine life back then
and photograph a place I’m connected to
by blood and by love.

Creative Field: Photography and Sculpting

Connect: @ttumie