My stepmother was the most unique old-school Southern belle you could ever meet—gracious, witty, and wonderfully herself. Whenever something reminded her of the past, she would often smile and say, “Well, that’s just a day gone by.”

I began photographing her to capture her personality—her charm, humor, and delightful quirks. What started as playful portraits gradually became a quiet record of time as she entered the early stages of Alzheimer’s and continued through the final chapter of her life.

She passed away peacefully a few years ago after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. This series is shared in her honor, preserving the spirit and joy that made her unforgettable.