If you are reading this it's not by mistake

I'm having a moment. One of those that you can't stop feeling or thinking about.  The ones that nudge at us, like the 6yr old in the back of the classroom, arm stuck up in the air wiggling and squirming in their seats whispering to themselves..."Ooh! Pick me! Pick me!!" I believe those moments can present themselves to us in quiet ways. Hoping to be "picked".  Piling up until they have enough weight to be noticed.

We all lead crazy busy lives and unless something blinks, rings or causes us to be inconvenienced it often times goes unnoticed. Sometimes it's the huge loud things that catch our attention, hold us up and cause us to make change....whatever it takes to get us to the point where we stop and listen to our hearts, that's where change happens.


It may be when we no longer know what to do, we have come to our real work, and that when we no longer know which way to go, we have begun our real journey. ~Wendell Berry 

It was about a year and a half ago that I got to that place. Armed with about an ounce of courage, a $5.00 website and a handful of angels I shared my story on Crescendoh. I knew that I wanted to make a difference in this world, but I wasn't sure what that looked like. I'm just one person. What could I possibly do?

The thing that drew me to photography in the first place was that it allowed me to experience emotion from a  safe distance. I learned that with my camera I could not only be witness to powerful moments but to preserve them in time.  Now, almost two years later, my heart is overflowing with those memories and the gifts they supply.

It was about this same time last year that a friend asked me what I would do with my life if nobody (especially me!) told me I couldn't. I surprised myself by answering that I wanted to work with children and families that were touched by illness. I wanted to run my own little non-profit business and be with families in the hospital, or at home...and preserve those moments. It has taken me this long to come to terms with the overwhelming amount of soul searching that comes with such a decision.

During this time, my life has been touched by cancer more times than I ever thought it would be. It caused me to look back at the breast cancer that took my Aunt...and years later attacked her brother, my Dad (yes, men get breast cancer too!)..he won that battle and I love him very much. A close friend who was taken from her young children and yet another young friend who is battling to watch her young family grow up.  I had a nasty bout with skin cancer~scared me to my core. I survived but was forever changed.

I live in a small community where we have lost loved ones and come together to support one another...held hands with the brave families engaged in battle and celebrated victories.

Most recently I have been touched by Gabby's story.  and along with some friends we decided to help out in any way we could. Tomorrow we are holding a tiny fundraiser for Gabby's family. We didn't have much time to put it together as we rushed to help Gabby but...it's something.

Sadly, little Gabby passed away on September 11. We are going to carry on with the fundraiser...we changed the name from Get Well Gabby to Gabby's Gift. The family was supposed to go to Disney with the Make a Wish Foundation and now that trip was not going to happen...we all think it should.

Gabby's two big sisters and Mommy and Daddy need this time together. There will be mountains of bills for a long time to come...but this is something we can help with.  And that's what we're going to do. So...you can go to our Facebook page and sign up for your photo shoot...or stop back by here in a few days and see the smiles we capture in honor of Gabby...or round up your pennies and donate! We will be at our little card table with the pink balloons and a big bucket for change...or you can send your donations straight to the family.

Hopefully this is one of your "moments."  

It's just a tiny penny right?..it's the little things though...added up they can make huge change!!

pennies from Tom....

doesn't matter how they get to us...just bring them!!

As for me...I'm ready. During the month of October I will begin to pursue my dream of getting this next phase of my photography up and running. I'll still be around to capture the everyday bliss of the families I'm lucky enough to work with, but I'll be spreading my wings a little bit more to take me to the next part of my journey.


I'll leave you with the wise words of Max Lucado:


When you are in the final days of your life, what will you want? Will you hug that college degree in the walnut frame? Will you ask to be carried to the garage so you can sit in your car? Will you find comfort in rereading your financial statement? Of course not. What will matter then will be people. If relationships will matter most then, shouldn't they matter most now?
Two types of voices command your attention today. Negative ones fill your mind with doubt, bitterness, and fear. Positive ones purvey hope and strength. Which one will you choose to heed?

You weren't an accident. You weren't mass produced. You aren't an assembly-line product. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on the earth by the Master Craftsman.

If today were your last, would you do what you're doing? Or would you love more, give more, forgive more? Then do so! Forgive and give as if it were your last opportunity. Love like there's no tomorrow, and if tomorrow comes, love again.
You change your life by changing your heart.Conflict is inevitable, but combat is optional.
A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd.

 Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
To these I commit my day.