I want to thank everyone for the stories they wrote to me. I was SO pleased that SO many of you care SO much. All of the responses were extremely heartfelt. I wish I could give the $600 gift of photography to everyone because it was hard to choose but I had to pick one. I picked this one because it has so many different aspects to it that make it one story with the hope that this family will be happy.
Mary Jo wrote me. Here is her letter (the names have been left out).
"I would like to nominate by niece,"N", and her family for this wonderful opportunity to be professionally photographed. "N" is 25 years young and is beautiful inside and out. However she has had her difficulties.
Her childbirth was complicated and that resulted in her having tremors. These tremors cause her to shake when she attempts to use her arms and hands which makes everyday tasks much more tedious for her.
Growing up and learning to deal with these tremors and accept them as part of life must have been a challenge but Nicole never became bitter or thought of herself as handicapped. Her early years were blessed. She has an amazing family that supports and loves her dearly. As she became a young adult she began making some choices that were not so good. Her selection of friends was not so good, and as we all know, this can begin a series of unfortunate events. And it did in this young ladies life .
So, before you know it she's in the wrong places with the wrong people. The spiral down begins. Next she's in court due to car accident related to drinking then a few months later another car accident left her in the hospital with very serious injuries which took months to recover from. Enough already right ..well "N" meets "S" who is older and already has children and they began to date. Then "N" is pregnant and the family is in turmoil. How will this ever work? She works at Panera Bread and he's a Pizza delivery guy. But the amazing family sticks by "N" during the pregnancy and she works hard at Panera Bread and "S" works hard as a Pizza Delivery guy and baby "A" comes to life on September 8,2008. She is a lovely and together"N" and "S"are building a life and a family together.
They don't have a lot of money but are making it work and I'm so proud of her and "S". I hope they stay together and continue to make good decisions. Having a family photography will be a treasure for them and baby "A" when she gets older. And really that's what so great about photographs its not for today but for all the tomorrows we have a chance to look back and say WOW ! look at us ~ we have changed. "N" has made many changes. She's making better choices and her life and family are beautiful. They would make a wonderful family portrait.
Thank you, Mary Jo, for nominating this family. I will be contacting you regarding your $200 portrait credit.
I hope everyone has a very happy holiday season and a safe and healthy New Year.
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