As I start writing, I hope to be inspired enough and, through my words and photos I hope to give you the same feeling I had while I was photographing this amazing family.
Few months ago, I meet Carla briefly, when I had a photoshoot for a charity cause and I can say that her smile can lighten up the entire room. Her laugh is contagious and her spirit… I just love it! This is actually how I remembered her, because of her smile :)
One day, a little while ago, I post on my facebook page that I need urgent help from someone who’s coming from USA… Carla answered me in private “ I’m in Houston and will be back on Wednesday. I’m here for medical reasons so not doing a lot of shopping but will be stopping at best buy tomorrow if you want me to check .. Let me know … my dad was diagnosed with ALS – terminal illness – so we came for a check up and his birthday is tomorrow too so we celebrating ”. I froze for few minutes and stare at my monitor… time while I was thinking if I would do the same if I’ll be in her situation. Did not took me much to realize that this is a person with a GOOD heart, who want to help others, no matter personal situation… People like this are rare and only few left and I was so happy when I found another one (I am blessed with few around me).
And then… then I knew. She is my next fan who will get a family photoshoot from me. I strongly believe that each family should have at least 1 good photosoot with a pro who can capture the spirit of your family, the love and the little moments that will be remembered forever.
This photoshoot was offered for exact this purpose… 1 real family, spending time together and being grateful for it! The mom & the dad, the 3 sisters, the kids and the husband of one… this is one united family who remind me that life is nothing without a family.In few words, even if I stayed a little while, I felt the spirit of this family: the happiness & the sadness, the struggle & the power of life… was hard, but I did my very best to capture the way I felt it.
Our Moments of Life are too short to waste and we have to make everyday count! We have to cherish every moment we have with loved ones and as best we can, never regret anything in life because, I strongly believe, everything happens for a reason and we can’t question it.
I also associate Life with a book, with chapters for each event in life and a limited number of pages on which to spend your time… Some of us are fortunate/unfortunate to know how many pages left and this, this might be the hardest challenge of all, and one the most important moments… as how we face it and how we help the ones around us to face it. Because at the end of the day, is not about the book being done… but how we take the end.
Sometimes it just hits us, life is too short and we HAVE to appreciate every little moments that in the future are big moments, moments that mark our life and make us who we are.
At the end of this blog I would like to thank you all: Karl, for your extraordinary efforts to do your very best for photos; Sandra, I just know you’re the rock of the family and I felt fortunate to be in your house, Ursula, I had such good vibes around around you, Sue, your sadness touched my soul and I’m praying for your strenght, Carla, the girl with the most beautiful smile in the world! Just with your smile, you might cure someone one day! …the kids, of course, little cutties that helped us with this shoot being a success only after they were promised the games and Kareem… the family pillar the one who’s taking care and is keeping together this family. I got emotional attach of every one of you and… as Terminator said “I’ll be back!”
Bible Psalm 23: ”The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Here is how I capture Ayres family:
P.S. ALS or motor neuron disease is a neuromuscular disease resulting in the body gradually losing control of the muscles. Nerve cells in parts of the brain and spinal cord degenerate, causing voluntary muscles to cease responding.
For this reason, ALS is also known as “the cruelest disease” that lays waste to the body while the brain remains as alert as ever.
As the disease progresses people with ALS lose the ability to move their arms and legs. Physical therapy and assistive devices allow patients to remain mobile even after the disease begins to affect their limbs.
There is no cure yet, but you never know when miracles are happening.
Believe it or not, Mr Karl is working from 25 years at Bowen&Bowen and even if his disease is advanced already (1 arm and 1 leg lost the muscles) he still did not quit his job and he keeps his hopes alive and e’s determined to fight this as best he can…
Carla is doing daily online research, and she’s not loosing her hope. Here is what she write.
I will keep you updated with his situation.
