I Offer No Apologies for this Picture Heavy Post

Whether you are a blogger or simply a blog reader, you probably understand the uniqueness of this community.  When we sit down and open up someone’s blog we become somehow involved in the lives of others.  Sometimes our involvement is vocal and other times it is quiet and anonymous.  One is not better than another (though I love blog comments like I love Diet Mountain Dew and coffee), the experience is the same–we become invested and interested and challenged and changed by the stories of others.  This is one of many reasons I have grown to love this community. 

Before I was a blogger, I was a blog lurker.  There were a handful of blogs that I quietly visited on a regular basis.  Some were fun, some were inspiring, some were informative, and others were, well, heart wrenching. 

One of the blogs I frequented was a blog called Maggie’s Journey to Healing.  This blog, written by  acquaintances from college, documented the Leukemia diagnosis and subsequent journey toward healing of their beautiful little girl.  Andy and Whitney’s little girl was the same age as Chanelle and their journey moved me tremendously.  Our family watched their family from afar as we did the only thing we knew to do:  we prayed. 

I vividly remember standing around the computer reading updates with Charlie and Chanelle and saying prayers for “Baby Maggie”, as we called her in our home.  I remember the almost daily questions from their tiny voices, How is Baby Maggie?  We need to pray for Baby Maggie.  We watched and prayed as this family fought hard and endured a journey that no family wants to endure.  That was four years ago.  Never in a million years would I have imaged that someday I would meet this little girl whose name became a fixture in our home. 

But I did. 

Last weekend I was beyond honored to take pictures of this incredible family who had so greatly impacted our family.  What was a beautiful family of three is now a beautiful family of five.

With the love and endurance of two parents who withstood more than most of us will ever understand, Maggie beat it and is one of the most vibrant and sweet little ladies I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet.

So did Grant.

I’m changed because I was deeply struck by the way they let me see who they are.  I was changed because when I allowed myself to put aside my fears and anxieties (about my lack of experience behind the camera) I had a clear view of who they are.  And this family?  They are the real deal. . .

Not the we’re-perfect-and-have-everything-together kind of real deal, but the we-are-who-we-are-and-that’s-okay kind of real deal.

As I stood back and watched this family who has rallied through and clung to each other through so much, I was overcome with emotion.  Joy, sadness, love, sorrow and especially hope.

The strength of this family reminded me of the strength that resides in all of us. . . it’s just that many of us don’t know it’s there.

Andy and Whitney, thank you for the great honor it was to spend time with you and your beautiful family.  Your beautiful moments were effortless and the footprints from that evening have made a lasting impression on my heart.

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And so my ongoing photography adventure continues.  Still learning.  Still growing.  Still making mistakes.  But one thing remains. . . oh. my. goodness. I absolutely LOVE the process more than my words could ever express. 

It’s a work in progress, but we are moving along. 

SummerK Photography now has a website:

www.summerkphotography.com

Visit if you’d like!

There is also a Facebook page.  If you have a moment please stop by and give us a “Like”

(When I say “us”. . .I’m referring to Chad and I.  He’s the brains, I just take the pictures.)

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I’ll be back Saturday. . .

Someone is turning ONE!!