"The photos of our families are beautiful and I could never describe how important and precious they are..."

I want you to read this, not for the pat on the back that I appear to be giving myself, but rather to understand that each of us has the ability and opportunity to touch another's life in a positive way.  More after you read this letter:

"Ms Farias,
On behalf of our foster parents, children, Kristi & myself THANK YOU!  The photos of our families are beautiful & I could never describe how important & precious they are to the parents & kids.  Thank you for your kindness and generosity!

Sincerely,

x xx
Helping Hands for Children"

Let me describe to you how important these photos are:

Soldiers have taken their images into the field with them - keeping them safe inside their helmet and waking up in the hospital to see these treasured touchstones from home.

I've photographed a healthy, dynamic woman - head of a preschool - the day before she unexpectedly died.   My lab was kind enough to rush out the images to her bereaved family and school.

I've had a frantic call from a client who lost her brother in an auto accident and needed photos for the memorial.

A fellow photographer died unexpectedly at a very young age - we photographers who had images of him gathered them together and printed them for his family.  As handsome as he was, he hated having his picture taken and they were the only photos they had of him.  We drove them down to south Texas for his memorial.

Parents have lost children - the list goes on...

Human beings are visual creatures.  We bond with these images and yes, they do capture a bit of our soul if we're lucky and have a good photographer at hand.

Each of us, no matter what our gifts, has unique talents and abilities that we can use to lend a hand to someone who needs it.

Next time someone ask, "Could you..." just pause for a moment before you say "no."  I have always found myself so much the richer for the giving.  Not in material goods and wealth, but from being given the gift of helping someone to help themselves.


We all get in such a rush these days, sometimes I think we forget how to simply smile and enjoy the moment before us.

Food for thought.