And Then...Something Amazing Happened...

When I woke up this morning, it felt like any other day. Aside from the fact that everyone was posting on Facebook about 12/12/12 and it being a lucky day and all. Not much of a believer in that kind of thing, though, buying a lottery ticket did cross my mind...but I didn't. It's just an ordinary day so why bother?

I must admit that I did start to think something was interesting about 12/12/12 when my 2 year old son was a perfect angel today and snuggled on my lap while I edited 4 client albums! Now I only have one more to catch up on and I'm home free until my busy weekend ahead. Yeah, that was pretty cool. But all in all, it was turning out to be a pretty uneventful day. I secretly wanted this day to be something to remember. I mean, after all, isn't it like a hundred years before this sequence happens again? So, before you know it I was noticing the little things in my day and made them into something special. 

For example: I got way more hugs and kisses today from kiddo than most days. The sun seemed to shine brighter. Kiddo ate all of his peanut butter and fluff sandwich today (even the crust)! There were a TON of mini marshmallows in the cocoa mix that I put in my morning coffee. I booked a newborn session for this Saturday and I will get to incorporate the props I bought yesterday. Kiddo kept his undies on most of the day. I didn't burn dinner and my sweetheart told me he's going to help me buy the lens I want for Christmas. 

And then...something amazing happened...

I got a phone call. It was from Faye at REM. She gave me the official news today that my non-profit organization, the Hope Captured Foundation, has been approved!!! I couldn't believe it! I just screamed and laughed until I cried! I will be attending a meeting Monday afternoon to sign the paperwork and start my first official day! I will get to launch the website I designed and start ordering the cards and pamphlets that I will be distributing all over the state of Maine. I will be creating a list of everything I will need to start accomplishing by next week. I will be posting them from the new blog for the Hope Captured Foundation. I will be looking for donations and volunteers in helping me make my dream become a strong organization that will soar through Maine and start to help families heal...one picture at a time <3

I believe I can now officially say that 12/12/12 is a lucky kind of day! The news couldn't have come at a better time. When I got this phone call I was in the process of editing images from a dear friend of mine. Maribeth and I have been friends since elementary school. For 15 years she has owned the most amazing dog ever...Veda. Veda has been sick for a while with cancer of the bladder. Maribeth had thought long and hard about putting her down for months and recently decided that it would be best for Veda to go peacefully and no longer suffer. I brought them to a park the night before she was laid to rest and captured their last moments together. I cried then and I cried when I edited them and I'm crying now. It was very emotional and I was so honored to be a part of it.

It closely resembled the work I will be doing with my new non-profit organization and it just touched home that the call came while working on these images. I would like to take a moment to share a few of these images...

In a way, I consider Veda to be my first Hope Captured session. It completely solidified everything that I have been hoping, dreaming, praying and working toward my whole life. To be part of something bigger than me. To give something to someone that no words can express. I help people heal through my art and be touched in a way that they can't explain. Today marks the beginning of big, meaningful things to come in my life and in the lives of those I touch. I am ready to leave my mark on this world...

Who wants to help me?