
Text by Gina Ianneci, Copyright 2025
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On Grief and Hope
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Model: Gina Ianneci
Photo: Tony Ward
Stylist: KVaughn
Hair & Makeup: Michael Connor
Lighting Grip: Anthony Colagreco
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Throughout my life, I’ve faced traumatic experiences that I can easily recall, along with the memories and associated emotions.
For better or worse, these experiences are a part of me. The biggest one for me will always be the loss of my
brother, who was just 21 years old when he fell asleep and crashed his car on the NJ Turnpike. At this moment
Tony captured me, I was thinking about my brother and this ten-year-old video I found last year on YouTube.
In the video clip the actor Billy Bob Thornton shares his experience of losing his brother. He explains how this
loss has profoundly affected his outlook on life, leaving him with a persistent feeling of melancholy. Thornton
mentions that he never fully trusts happiness and often feels 50% happy and 50% sad. He advises people who
have lost a loved one to accept their feelings and honor them through their work or art. He emphasizes that
one never truly gets over such a loss but can learn to live with the pain and use it as a source of inspiration. I
relate deeply to his perspective and how he articulates his feelings.

To access additional articles by Gina Iannece, link here: https://tonyward.com/feature-gina-iannece-meeting-the-moment/