I struggle with the words for this post, mostly because I am so in awe and inspired by all the parents and families with kids who need to spend time at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, or with special needs.
My baby is 14 years old and I was lucky, Dale has always been happy, healthy and so easy to raise. And still, even with this, I found parenting the most difficult and rewarding challenges of my life. It truly is a raw and exposed vulnerability when you love another human as much or more than your own life, when you feel their pain, their joy, their sorrow. Learning to be a grown up human is a long a difficult journey for kids, and for some that journey comes with more struggle than others. These families inspire me because by witnessing their strength and love, they make me realize my own strength, my own capacity to love:)
We ALL have this within us!
Lincoln is a beautiful little monkey with the same easy disposition as my son, he has a wild child for a sister, and a family so filled with love that it could easily fill your heart just to witness it. And beyond all that, his mother is the picture of strength and beauty. We have been taking photos for Laine & Adam for several years, maternity, family, birthdays, newborn… you name it. This session They had us to photograph Lincoln’s birthday, which also happened to double as a fundraiser for the Alberta Children’s Hospital. They managed to raise over $18,000 dollars, and they wanted to say thank you to all the people, nurses, doctors, family, friends, who have gone through this unexpected journey with them.
Lincoln was born with some health challenges that required him to have a tracheotomy; this required several months in hospital after he was born. With a toddler at home, this is no easy feat. Laine and Adam’s whole support system united together, and they also met a new group of other beautiful, strong, amazing people.
Here is the thing about Laine, she is like a grown up version of her wild child daughter; she is bold, and powerful, strong, and loving. And to organize this fundraiser while doing everything else she does with two small children at home is incredible. But Laine will always challenge herself, and that is why I love her! I should also not leave out her amazing husband who has been juggling all of this right along beside her!!!
We are so grateful to have been there, to see all the familiar faces. Here is a sample of the photos we took that day:)
P.S Nathan did not edit my writing this time, so hopefully no glaring errors, hehe
And a few back from the hospital last summer, Lincoln + Mommy:)!!!