Second Home

The Second Home project is a visual diary of the day-to-day life in the hospital which was the extension of our home for three years during my husband's fight against cancer.

It was a particularly difficult period of my life, full of sorrow, distress, and uncertainty. Nevertheless, it taught me that I set the limits of endurance to myself. I also learnt that the more I fall, the easier it is for me to stand up the next time, and that the sooner I stop denying life's challenges, the easier it becomes to accept the situation and stand on my own two feet.

I am grateful for all I have and all I don't have.

After a while, you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,
And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning
And the company doesn’t mean security.

And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts
And presents aren’t promised,
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes open

With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child,
And you learn to build all your roads on today
Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans
And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After a while, you learn…
That even sunshine burns if you get too much.
So you plant your garden and decorate your own soul,
Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure…
That you really are strong And you really do have worth…
And you learn and

With every good-bye you learn.

Jorge Luis Borges