It’s amazing how certain people affect you and just give you a happy feeling. Like coffee in the morning. Lighting candles just because. Trying on a bathing suit that actually fits. (I could go on and on…) I just said today that I get so attached to each and every one of my clients for one reason or another. I always find something I love.
I met Alyson when she first called to schedule a holiday portrait session last November. Same month, I see an article and a photo of Alyson wearing an apron in the local paper asking for cookie donations to hand out to all the walkers at the Breast Cancer Walk in San Diego. I’m like “hey, that’s you in the paper!”. Cameron and I joyously delivered more cookies than I’ve ever baked to a busy home filled with more cookies than I’ve ever seen. And to one happy, giving, selfless family. A month later I get an email from the same person. Only this time she is a mother going through the worst possible thing any mother would ever dream of. Her child has cancer. Her only child.
Jared went straight into aggressive treatments and after 6 1/2 months of chemo, radiation and all the hell that goes along with it, he heard the word he’s been longing for: REMISSION!
Those that have followed along on his Caring Bridge site have known that they have promised to dance (illegally) in the “Spirit of Life” fountain in the front of City of Hope to celebrate this day. Just a little something to look forward to. Almost as if they knew the outcome. They believed in positive thinking and his “warrior” spirit prevailed!
I was lucky and honored and so stinking happy to get the call (from Jared himself no less)…”Hi Shannon, can you come to City of Hope right now?”. I knew what that meant…
See for yourself. Picture all the feelings of the worst day of your life and the best day of your life, and all the crap in between, crammed into 6 months. Picture the weight lifted off your shoulders. As a teenager. As a Mom. As a Dad. Picture the sun shining. Think of Jared’s new life the next time the sun shines down.
Or, if you’re the picture kind of person, here are a few of my favorites…
Getting in was a little cold.
But we are oh so happy to be cancer-free.
There was some tough security on hand. ”Congratulations, but get out” were his words.
Alan should get in one more time since time was limited now that they were caught.
Final shot of the day. Smiles, smiles, and more smiles.
by Shannon Lott
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