This project was made for the William Randolph Hearst Foundation
As the days grow long and the warm breeze presses on American faces during a seemingly abnormal moment in history, the rising and setting sun gives way to a chance for rebirth to occur. Resilience is born as death reaps the lives of those close by. Longing for the days of their youth and former selves, Americans cling to moments that give them hope, joy and peace in a chaotic world that is now the new normal.
As the sun sets through the trees, Kelly Castor wraps around her unborn baby while posing for a portrait at her home on Monday, June 7, 2021 in Kansas City, Mo. Baby Castor breathed its first breath of air in July.
People gather to dance, drink and listen to live music while the M80s perform on stage Saturday, June 5, 2021, at Knuckleheads Saloon in Kansas City, Mo. No one wore a mask as the mask mandate in Kansas City, Mo. was lifted mid-May. However business’s may make their own decisions as to if customer’s must wear masks.
Water runs through Ailani Reyes’ hair and down her forhead as she is baptized by Father Gary Sunday, June 6, 2021, at Redemptorist Catholic Church in Kansas City, Mo. Her Godparents, Christine Palacio and Jose Ramirez both place their hands on her back promising to help her grow in her faith as she becomes a young woman. Ailani and her twin, Leilani, were both baptized.
Angela Rouse prays the fifth glorious mystery in the rosary near her son’s grave Wednesday, June 9, 2021, at Mount Olive Catholic Cemetery in Kansas City, Mo. After losing her son Jack in November, with COVID-19 restrictions the family was unable to put him to rest until late May. Jack’s life is remembered in the nature near his burial site. She prays for her son and other souls everyday.
Lalani White holds her mother Janice while posing for a portrait at her home on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at their home in Kansas City Mo. Right before the pandemic Lalani lost her sister. As coronavirus spread throughout the nation she lost her father and two cousins to COVID-19. “When I hear the birds it brings joy to my heart and peace that I know they are together and I know they’re happy. They’re protecting one another and they’re looking out over one another ” says Lalani.
As the wind changes direction, the American flag waves on a summer evening Monday, June 7, 2021, at W 26th and Broadway Blvd. in Kansas City, Mo.
Zach McCready and Chelsea Doran share a moment at the World War I Memorial and Museum Monday, June 7, 2021, on the balcony that over looks Kansas City, Mo. The couple have been together a few weeks. They ate tacos on their date while looking at the twinkling lights of downtown.
Breck Baxter-Martel, 4, takes a bite of a corn dog at the Kansas City State Fair, Saturday, June 5, 2021 at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence, Mo. His sister Portland was born during the pandemic. Their mother Lindsey said she was excited to “finally be able to get out and do things.”