Giving Thanks

Yesterday I spent the morning with Nikki, Joe and their two beautiful daughters, Ally and Josie. I met this extraordinary family because of Tiffany and Charles (you may remember them from their wedding post about a year and half ago).

Tiffany and I were talking one day and she was telling me their good friends lived about a mile away from me. She had mentioned that Ally has Cerebral Palsy. I had said how much I'd love to meet this family and do some family portraits for them. A few weeks ago Nikki called me and told me that Ally's health has declined because of her recently diagnosed congestive heart failure. Naturally we wanted to set up a session asap while Ally was still feeling okay.

As I talked to Nikki and Joe and got to know more about this family I couldn't help but feel how thankful I am. Thankful for getting to know this family; thankful that this incredible family trusted me to capture these photos for them, so that they could have them to cherish; and thankful for my own family. 

Without going into a lot of detail, Nikki told me some of the stories involved with Ally and how many times she has cheated death. There were birth complications which caused the Cerebral Palsy, but what is so miraculous is the fact that Ally actually died shortly after she was born. However, the doctors worked on her for FIFTEEN minutes and brought her back to her parents. 

Because of various complications, her parents have been told time and again that their little angel would not live through the night...the week...the month. What an incredible spirit Ally has! I said yesterday that if she was the average 4 1/2 year old little girl, can you imagine what a spitfire she would be!! God gives us miracles, and sends us messages, in so many different ways-and Ally is definitely sent from Him!

Nikki and Joe, I am at a loss for words as to how to thank you for allowing me into your home and your lives. You are an incredible family! You shared more with me yesterday than many people would feel comfortable doing, and for that I feel honored. I pray that I will be able to photograph the four of you again in the coming years!

When my blog readers watch this slideshow, please keep this family in your prayers, as Ally struggles with her health conditions, and pray that her little sister, Josie, will grow to know her big sister. You may also want to have a tissue or two handy. Whatever obstacles your family may be enduring, give them all a hug and give thanks for your life!