Hello 2010
In case there are actually people out there that follow this blog, a few things:
1. There is a new blog in the works, so stay tuned.
2. I'm down, but I'm not out.
3. Two years ago in June, I stopped writing in this blog. That day changed everything. My oldest daughter, then 3 1/2 years old, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The road has been a long one, and I am now a different person to say the least.
Her name is Emma and she's the light of my life. Since then, she has been through two brain surgeries, countless therapies, and six weeks of radiation. She is a cancer survivor...at age five. She is my inspiration.
What I have learned from her, I share with others. Emma has taught me strength and thoughtfulness, and has shown me God's grace. I have learned that life cannot be taken for granted. Not a single day.
I put my photography business away for a while, fulfilling only a very few previously booked commitments for the remainder of 2008. I contemplated closing up shop and only taking photos for my personal use for the next year. But in January 2009, I was contacted by a family with a 2 year old boy who was going into battle with leukemia. They asked me to photograph their little boy before he underwent treatment, as their cancer journey would be a long one too.
I think that was a sign of what I was supposed to do; to continue documenting families in their everyday lives. To not stop, but to go on. Bigger and better, wearing your courage, and showing your strength. I now go into shoots with more heart than I had before. Taking nothing for granted. Not a single day in their lives, because you just never know.
Late last year, as Emma was recovering from her second tumor resection, I delivered my third child, a son named Joshua. Our family is doing very well. Here is Emma's story if you are so inclined.
All About Amy
When I saw a blog post about photographer Amy Wenzel's workshop giveaway at I Heart Faces, it made me sad. I realized that I had been slacking for too long. Not giving people an explanation of what had happened in my previous post.
You see, the irony is I have been a HUGE Amy Wenzel fan for years, reading her blog, being inspired by her work. So when her husband David was diagnosed with brain cancer last year, I was surprised to learn that she didn't hide. Not like me. She took the Lord's hand and He gave her the strength to continue. Now that's inspiring.
This made me realize that though I had made my cancer journey public, it wasn't exactly "public" in my work life. But now it is. Amy Wenzel has made me come clean. Thanks for that. Will I be a chosen for her workshop? I doubt it. One thing is for sure though, I have gotten it off my chest. Like it or not, I won't hide anymore.
That said, look who's back. :)
