Photographer's Narrative

Every time I went to Craig Joint Theater Hospital, Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, I would visit the one-year-old patient, Ajamal Hazrat. The hospital staff and volunteers fell in-love with him and “spoiled” him. During his stay, Senior Airman Mabel Aguirre had grown attached to the baby and wanted to be the one to send him off when he was discharged. Every time I was near him, Ajamal was intrigued with my camera and would stare at me. While waiting for his transportation at the hospital, I wanted to capture the moment between Ajamal and Aguirre. She put on a brave face and refused to break down in front of the camera. I believe this image still shows the emotional attachment between the patient and his caregiver.