Happy New Year! I can’t believe how long it has been since I blogged. I had the best intentions to blog over the Christmas break. I even had photos to post, but here it is, the first day of the New Year, and I failed. Not how I want to start off the New Year. So, here’s to a brand New Year. A clean slate. A fresh start and the best intentions to blog more this year.
The last time I blogged it was about an awesome project. Giving is Awesome. Kristen at Essential Imagery started this wonderful idea. To give away a portrait session and the photos from the session to a someone who has been through some extremely tough and difficult times. I immediately hopped on board. What an AWESOME idea.
Over the past few weeks I received several emails from people nominating someone they knew for the giveaway. All of the stories were heart wrenching. It made it very difficult to choose. But, one story in particular really stuck out. Jo was nominated by a friend, Julie Broockerd. Here is her story.
I have known Jo my entire life and I don’t know of one other person who is as upbeat, non-judgmental and always has a positive attitude, even while going through ovarian cancer. Jo has more friends than anyone I know. Everyone loves her!!
Jo went through early menopause at the age of 18, so she knew she would never be able to have children. Her older sister, Shelly, had a husband and two kids. Shelly had always told Jo she would carry a child for her someday, if she wanted her to.
When Shelly’s kids were teenagers, Shelly found herself with a unexpected pregnancy. Well, she turned an unplanned pregnancy into the BEST Christmas gift Jo could ever imagine!! On Christmas, Shelly told Jo she was pregnant and that she wanted Jo to adopt her baby. Eight months later, a beautiful baby girl named Zoey was born!! Zoey knows that Shelly is her “very special aunt”. Jo and Zoey are not only mother and daughter, but the best of friends, too.
Jo was diagnosed in March of 2007 with ovarian cancer. She has been through numerous surgeries, chemo, many, many scans, trips to the ER, etc.
Even before Jo’s diagnosis, her family had already suffered through heartache and loss from cancer. Jo’s dad, Duke, died of brain cancer in 1994.
Then her mom, Donna, remarried a great guy named Pat in 2005 . Pat had lost his wife to ovarian cancer a few years before meeting Donna. Donna was SO HAPPY and in love, it was almost contagious! Then, only a year after they got married, her husband, Pat, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Donna was caring for Pat as he reached the final stages of his cancer, when Jo was diagnosed with her cancer. Pat passed away just before their two year wedding anniversary. Donna is a rock and I’m so glad Jo and Zoey have her nearby to help them through this horrible illness.
Jo and Zoey are the PERFECT candidates for your Giving Is Awesome campaign. Single mom, tons of Dr. bills, fighting cancer…..
Please consider choosing Jo and Zoey, and Jo’s mom, Donna, for your recipients.
Thank you and God Bless,
Julie
Thank you Julie for nominating Jo and thank you Jo for letting me share your story.
Jo and Zoey will receive a complimentary session and all the photos. I can’t wait to meet Jo, Zoey and their wonderful family.
Julie and her family will receive a complimentary photo session and $100 credit.
Thank you to everyone who sent in nominations.
Here are just a FEW of “my own” favorites from 2008. I think I need to do one of these for my client favorites as well. First thing on my “to do” list.
Happy New Year everyone.
this looks date night worthy.
