Andy Meinert

Being a photographer is really the best job in the world. At least for me it is. Photographers have the wonderful opportunity to capture life’s most precious moments. Tiny sleepy babies with their sweet tiny toes to expressive toddlers and their accompanying many moods. Preschoolers and tweenies and then on to HS Seniors on their way to independence and adulthood. And then it starts all over again with the next generation. Brothers and sisters. Mothers and fathers. Daughters and sons. Families. Love and the beauty it brings.

Being invited to share in some of these intimate moments is in many ways, very sacred to me. Each portrait session is very important for our grandchildren, our great grandchildren, and so forth. I always thought I new how important a photographer’s work is. I think now, maybe I have only scratched the surface in beginning to truly understand that importance and how much portraits can help comfort, soothe, and heal.

In September of 08, I had the opportunity to sit down with a young man named Andrew Meinert and his mom Anne to discuss his upcoming senior portrait session. He told me that he loved to play tennis and played for the High School. A team mate later told me he was the best on the team. He also said he loved the outdoors, to hunt, fish, and go hiking. His mom, Anne told me that he loves his dog, Trooper, and his cat, Joey. “Andrew is going to college”, she answered when I asked what his after high school plans were. University of Oregon was his choice and to study radiation therapy was his goal. The military also fit in there somewhere. Andy heard the Air Force and the need to defend our great country calling. I always ask kids to discribe to me a picture of themselves that they like. Andy discribed to me an image we had done the year before. He liked his hair. It was long back then.

In Mid October, we went forth with the planned portrait session. We smiled, laughed, and joked and had a good time. Trooper came along and even he managed to “smile” for the camera. I found it rather compelling that Andy never complained at all even though I found out weeks later than the session was quite painful and exhausting for him. Because you see, Andy had a rare form of cancer called glioblastoma multiforme. To me, it was a miracle that we were able to create those portraits when we did. Just a few weeks after the session, Andy could no longer walk.

In the following weeks, I, along with all of Newberg, got to witness a coming together in support of the Meinert family. From “Andy night” at Jem 100 to the ubiquitous yellow bracelets bareing his name. Talent shows, trust funds, and even T-shirts were dedicated to Andy. Though I do not know all that was done in Andy’s name, it is the “senior project” that touched me the most. Three of Andy’s buddies: Alex Lilley, Riley Sump, and Kyle Kosters kind of adopted the Meinerts. I am sure I will never know all the tiny acts of kindness those three boys did, but I do know that they were a comfort to a family in need.

On December 30th around 7:45 PM, Andrew lost his battle with cancer. He passed away at home with his family at his side. Andrew was an incredible young man and a talented athlete. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A celebration of Andrew’s life will be held on February 14th at 2:00 PM in the Baumann Auditorium at George Fox University.