Laura wrote me back in November about her friend Maria and her family. She wanted to nominate her friend’s family for my annual Giving is Awesome session. I’m so glad she did. This family has been through so much in such a short period of time. Here is an exerpt from Laura’s letter to me.
“…. a typical family really, only tragedy keeps landing on this families plate. Tragedy struck only a few months after Ryan and Hailey were born. Hailey began feeling sick with a fever in which doctors passed off as the flu, October 4th 2006. She was in critical condition & was not expected to make it through the night. She was diagnosed with a rare aggressive form of Leukemia ( Infant ALL with the MLL gene) Her twin brother Ryan was not a bone marrow match and in 2007 they had to go with a not positive match to save Hailey’s life. Hailey is now 3 years old but has been on basically isolation her whole life. She is at home with her family and we are grateful everyday for that.
Maria goes through so much everyday taking care of Hailey who can be a little bit crazy due to the medications she is on and also taking care of Ryan who is just as full of energy. The twins hardly get much sleep so Maria hardly gets any sleep and work has been rough.
This family has touched my heart since knowing them in 2006 when the twins were a mere 6 months old. They have become a second family to me and my heart aches everyday when they are going through a rough time. She is a great mom she is like a second mom to me, no matter how tired she is, how stressed out she can get, she is the most strong woman I know. I don’t know how she does it. But she does it. I have never in my life met or respected someone as much as I do her and her family and I hope that if you do choose this family you get to experience the awesomeness of the family that I get to everyday.”
We were able to do our photo session this past week at the beach. It was the twins very first time there, and they were incredibly excited. It was so fun for me to see them experience the water, sea life, and everything the beach offers for the very first time. I’m honored to share this sweet family with you.
What an amazing post to wake up to. Thank you Julie, and thank you doesn’t even seem like enough. You have no idea what you gave this family by doing this. In each picture you can just see how strong and amazing they are even by a picture. You captured every moment well. Thanks for sharing a sneak peak and even reading my own letter and just seeing the pictures, the smiles, the family together at the beach, there really isn’t a dry eye over here. I am SO glad that you got to meet them and spend the day with them. Giving really is amazing but Julie you are incredible
[...] participating in the worldwide Giving is Awesome movement. I was able to meet and photograph the Kent family during their first ever trip to the beach. This year I am excited to do it again. I would like to [...]