Portraits of Gratitude

Portraits of Gratitude is an ongoing multimedia project that highlights the enduring legacy of my late mother, Becca Rosenberg, whose life was defined by her compassion for those around her and her dedication to her role as a doctor, mother, aunt, daughter, neighbor, and friend. When she passed away in late September of 2023, I struggled with the idea that while my mom had known me my whole life, I had only known her for a fraction of hers. Like so many mother-daughter relationships, ours was lovingly turbulent, which made it difficult to understand who she truly was as a person. 

The community support my family received after her death was baffling. It was then that I began to understand the profound influence my mother had on the lives of others. Just as she remembered everyone’s birthday, and gifted baby supplies to new parents in our building, and spearheaded the movement for preventative hygiene at NYU Langone, people from all over the country reciprocated by flying into NYC for her funeral and offering a helping hand.

In order to better understand what she left behind, I spoke to several of my mom’s closest friends about their first impressions of her and how these perceptions developed over time. I listened intently as each person enthusiastically recounted the ways in which my mother’s kindness, empathy, and unwavering support had shaped their lives. I had initially planned for the interviews to be around ten minutes, but the enthusiasm with which I was met drove them on for at least forty-five. Next, each participant wrote a note addressed to my mother based on what we had just discussed. I then conducted a short photoshoot of the subject in a place of significance, whether it was our rooftop, a college campus, or a cozy apartment. Finally, I overlayed their handwriting over the images I took to create Portraits of Gratitude. 

Portraits is a testament to a legacy. This project invites viewers to bear witness to the enduring impact of my mother’s life – the ripples of kindness and compassion that continue to reverberate long after her passing. Each image serves as a window into a life she touched, a visual representation of the profound legacy she has left behind. This project taught me that the most important aspect of the human experience is the love we share with one another. My mom embodied this truth, and it is my hope that this project will inspire others to reflect on the ways in which they, too, can leave an indelible mark on the lives of others.