Small Miracles Calendar…

Wow, I am so far behind on updating my blog!!!!

I have had a crazy hectic week, and things are about to pick up more tomorrow, and again throughout October with weddings  every weekend, finalizing the calendar images, getting them uponline with voting, and all the rest of the fun stuff!

And before I get too far into this, let me just first say that I apologize for not having any pretty images to dazzle you with in this blog.  I sit here at 11:30 pm, after having done 6 shoots yesterday, 4 today, and who knows HOW many tomorrow!  I start my day early with a breakfast date with my son (much much needed with this hectic schedule lately), and then off to the mall to set up in a hurry, and make some memorable images for as many kids & families as possible for this calendar.

BUT… I am posting this because ONE – I need to update something and TWO – I have a crazy story to share.

I began this calendar project after much inspiration from Lori Nordstrom.  I love love love her, and her style, and in fact… her as a person.  I am pretty sure I knew that it was going to be hectic, and a LOT of work going into it.

But, I didn’t know that the story I’m about to share would happen.

As I said, I did 6 sessions yesterday, and 4 today, most each of the moms that came shared with me a story of a friend, relative, or someone that was close to them that had cancer.  It’s amazing how it has affected so many peoples’ lives.

So tonight, as I’m wrapping up my last session, as my husband is arriving to help pack up the last of my mounds of stuff that I must lug with me tomorrow… I get a text message, from my mother, with instructions to check my “other” voicemail (insert a sarcastic “Thank you” here to AT&T for the fact my iPhone can’t be relied upon for voicemail).

I get home, after a long day, and a trip to walmart for last minute “stuff” to check my voicemail.  Agh, I realize I haven’t checked it since Thursday MORNING!

My message from my mother is to tell me that her sister in law (my step-father’s sister) has been admitted to the hospital.  They just found out (I guess today) that she has stage 4 Breast Cancer, which has spread to her lungs.  She has a tumor that must be removed, and she is on a ventilator.  She has fluid on her lungs & they are warning the family she may only live a few more days.

Now, I’m not especially close to them, mainly because my mother married my stepfather when I was a teenager, and they live 9 hours away.  I’ve met his family though, and he has been a huge part of my life for a long time.  I am so sad to see him go through this right now.  Yet, I am so thankful that I chose the American Cancer Society, that I am doing this, and it is a bittersweet reminder that each of us have the opportunity to make a huge difference in life.

So, that’s my story… just an ironic and sad story.  But it lets me know that despite being tired, exhausted, drained, physically, mentally & emotionally.  Despite the long days, long nights, and hard work, this is the right thing to do.  This has a purpose.  This has meaning.  This is what it’s all about.  It’s a much needed reminder after several nights of 4 -5 hours of sleep, that it can always hit close to home, we can all make a difference, and what we do with this short time on Earth is of utmost importance.

So – I hope each and every one of you find a way to support this project, or a project near & dear to you.  And most of all, I hope this calendar rocks, and breaks through every goal and expectation we could ever have of  it   Because as we all know… Small Miracles make a Big Difference.