To be honest, I'm not exactly sure how to start this post. As I'm sitting here, trying so desperately to focus on the task at hand, I keep thinking of the crazy day our family has had...on Christmas Eve, nonetheless. A trip to the hospital for an unexpected outpatient procedure followed with a sick little one who is so anxious for a visit from Santa. I guess you could say that this was not exactly how I planned to spend Christmas Eve. I envisioned time with family...laughing, talking, presents, sharing life...all of us...together. But, sometimes life throws you a curve ball and you have to adapt. Sometimes the craziness of life reminds you that life is about so much more than the plans you make and, at this time of year, holidays as we have come to know them. It's about relationships. As I am sitting here, I'm overwhelmed with lots of emotions...my frustrating day, the precious people I am going to be sharing with you (keep reading :), and the humbling reminder that the real reason we are getting ready to celebrate the next 24 hours is about a child who came to experience life with us. A person who came to know us individually in the good times and bad...to be with us when life couldn't be better and still be by our sides when we felt as though we have more on our shoulders than we can stand to carry. I am thankful for that relationship and realize, once again, that the things we think matter...really don't. It's the relationships in this life that carries us through...good and bad times. Please keep reading...I promise this gets better. ;) As you know, a while back we made mention of a giveaway to a family that has had a curve ball thrown at them. We asked you, our readers, to share life with us about a family who could use a special gift this holiday season. Every story I read brought me to reality once again...life is hard. This year I have heard story after story of people who have gone through some crazy times and could use a bit of a break. So, below are some stories to share... Justin and Jenny (+3 little ones) This sweet family experienced the loss of their home to a house fire the Sunday after Thanksgiving.
(This picture was taken from their family blog.) As I read the entry and the story through their family blog, I cried for them. I can't imagine losing everything that I have gained through this life in a materialistic sense in just a few minutes. I learned from their blog that all they were able to salvage was a few things that fit in their car...that's it. However, I was amazed at their attitude towards it all. I got this from their blog: "I've also really come to terms with the idea that the most important things in life aren't things at all. I've always known that was true. But, I've never really taken the time to actually think about it. But, when we drove away from our house that Sunday night...knowing that everything we had left was in our car...I really began to understand exactly what that idea means. The most important things in life really aren't things at all." I admire her heart (because I'm not sure that I could feel that way after losing everything). Yet, as I was reading their blog I realized that they still need memories of the relationships they share together as a family. They need to once again regain something they lost...or so they thought. My guess is that they have realized even more that all they need are the relationships they share with each other, their friends, their family. Now is an appropriate time to capture them, so that 10 years from now they can see how far they have come...together...as a family. They will be receiving our giveaway and we are so happy to be able to share that with them. But, I'm not done. We had two other families that were so very close to our top choices that we will be giving them a 30 minute session with a set of proofs. 2. A family whose little boy is suffering from microcephaly-a condition where the brain and head stop growing. They have accrued many medical expenses and will continue to do so. The sweet 2 year old boy has a long road ahead with a medical condition that is causing them to reach out and seek more help as to how to help him. 3. A family who has been blessed with two little ones, yet hoped for a third, lost their 3rd and 4th child (over a two year period) due to complications during the pregnancy. Because of this, their plans of having 3 children have pretty much come to an end and they are now on a long road to recovery. These two families are so deserving as well. As you can see (and know), life is hard. Sometimes the plans we make, fail. The dreams we have, disappear. And, the "every day" we know is taken from us with nothing left to show for it. There are so many deserving families out there and I so wish we could give everyone the gift of life captured from behind a lens. Life may be hard, but family moments forever preserved remind us how good God truly is. Merry Christmas and many blessings to you... Much love-Melody & Jeremy
To our 3 winners, I will be in touch soon after the holidays. :) |
