We all find inspiration, ideas, motivation, and just the will to do what we do from various places and people. Obvious ones like money, fame, and power tend to be at the top of that list. For me personally, nothing trumps the ability to make a difference in someone’s life. Photography is much more than taking pretty photos. It’s about making connections, building relationships, and capturing moments that will last for a long time.
Amidst the busy wedding season, I had a chance take a breather this past Wednesday and spent a few minutes with the co-winners of my Blogstalkers Portrait Session Contest. Please meet the Gonzalez Family: Lily, Nick, and their four amazing children Justin, Haley, Nicole, and Ashley (from oldest to youngest).
Towards the end of January, I received an e-mail from Elizabeth Morales, who nominated her aunt Lily and her family. I want to share with you the letter she wrote me, which inspired me to pick this amazing family as the winners of the contest:
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A Testament of Hope and Love
On October 31, 2008 my aunt Lily (34 years old) was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia while she was 7 months pregnant with her fourth child. As she drove to the hospital that Halloween day her doctor discovered that her white blood count was over 100,000 whereas normal levels are only at 10,000. She was misdiagnosed with fatigue throughout her pregnancy until they discovered it was cancer. Amazingly enough she delivered a healthy baby girl named Ashley Diana Gonzalez. There was little hope that she would survive. But she did.
As a close knit family we never gave up hope despite the odds. With lots of prayer, support and Love from friends and family, we became comforted however, aware that our time with her was both limited and precious. Soon after giving birth she was transferred to City of Hope where she received intense chemo, radiation, and a risky bone marrow transplant. Last December 2008, our family celebrated the One year anniversary of her second birthday. Now, at 98 pounds she struggles with another disease known as chronic graft-versus-host disease1 (GVHD).
I nominate my aunt and her family as the deserving recipients of your prize because despite the testing experience my aunt and uncle are enduring, they epitomize everything that is important: Hope, Love, Strength, and Support. At the time of her diagnosis her children were only 5, 4 and 3 years old. Her only concern was that they would not remember her because of their age. Now, her oldest will be 7 years old and the baby she miraculously delivered is 2. Since her diagnosis they have not taken a family portrait with Ashley, nor is it easy to save for such a project when funds are paying for a buffet of medication and doctor’s visits. My grandparents are retired and try to provide for their necessities, and her siblings do what they can to help. However, it is hard.
Winning this contest for them would mean giving her the opportunity to have a permanent and memorable reminder that she has been strong enough to fight her disease to hug, to love, and be with her kids and family. She has inspired me to always have hope and never give up, while giving others comfort, hope and counseling as they overcome their own tribulations. I am so proud to call this REMARKABLE lady family! God Bless you!
Elizabeth Benitez Morales
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Thank you Elizabeth for sharing with me (and allowing me to pass it on) the amazing story of your aunt Lily and her fight not only against Leukemia but to delivery little Ashley. In the hour or so that I spent with the Gonzalez Family, I felt such a strong bond of hope, courage, and unconditional love.
I want to give a big shout out to not just Lily but her husband Nick. To raise a family of four children and help your wife get back on her feet shows characters beyond any words I can put together. I can’t thank you all enough for allowing me to come into your life, even if it was just for a short period of time, and giving me the opportunity to capture your moments. I hope these photos, like your love for one another, transcends many, many generations.
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