In May 2008, my father elected to have heart surgery to correct a dilated
aortal root.  It was the first major hospitalization of my parents, and raised
issues of mortality and role reversal—seeing a parental figure weak and needing
care.  Photographing the process, from the night before through the recovery,
putting the camera in the middle, provided a softening barrier as well as creating
a means of communication between my father and I.