I went back and forth over photos for this month’s theme.
I have some heart-stopping gorgeous brides,
chubby cheek babies,
perfectly FUN children,
romantic couples,
WILD and beautiful Seniors.
And then I have this.
To anyone else, it’s just a little girl holding a baby boy.
Probably nothing extraordinary at all to anyone else.
But to those that know this particular little girl, and those that know the story of life and death of this baby boy….
the photo will break your heart
and make you question your perfectly wonderful suburban lives.
It changed mine.
We are foster parents and this was our first call: a sibling group of three…
…but the baby is still in the hospital.
His was a lifetime of unimaginable abuse, and the last time should have been the last.
Everyone thought he was dead.
The drs gave him little hope to last through the night.
He had just turned 2 months old.
3 weeks spent in the ICU with threats of losing his eye, his eyesight, and a leg.
If he lived at all.
And yet, he made it through, against all odds.
He came to live with us, and everyone was afraid to hold him.
“He’s too fragile.” “What if we break him?”
But not my daughter.
From Day 1 she has been so in love with this baby….and she doesn’t even know his story.
His story made me rethink everything I thought of the world.
It’s not all rainbows and glitter…and not all parents love their children.
He taught me that.
And she taught me the meaning of unconditional love.
But he is a fighter and against all the odds, has made it through.
And he’s perfect.
And soon….
will be a Suggs.
Please, if you’ve ever considered fostering or adopting, do it. It will change your WORLD! And it’s the hardest thing you will ever LOVE doing!
Contact your local Department of Human Services.
In Tulsa, here is the link: http://www.okdhs.org/
Or call: 1-866-612-2565
Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing this, Dana.
Oh Dana! I’ve admired your photography for some time, but with this image, and with your words, tears are rolling down my face and you have touched me like never before. God bless you. God bless you gorgeous little daughter. And God bless that little boy who was lucky enough to end up with your family! <3
My husband and I just got our first foster son a month ago. A tiny, premature baby who’s parents weren’t concerned about his well being. So glad to be following you! I’m glad there are others like us willing to love these kids. God is doing amazing things through you, and you will be blessed for following His will!! The other day I saw a quote that said “You might be a foster parent if… You know when someone is about to say, ‘I just couldn’t do it, I’d get to attached.’ And you smile knowing the little soul at your house NEEDS someone to be too attached!”
What a beautiful story and a beautiful girl (her eyes are gorgeous). May God bless you as you reach out to His little ones. I’m sure he already is.
Love your submission. I am just starting out and you have really inspired me! Love this post.
Incredible picture! I can see the love in her eyes!
Beautiful! I adore your work!
I love this picture so so much. Seriously, perfect.
and now I am crying! Such a beautiful (and tragic) story, So glad you were chosen to foster (and adopt?) this little fighter. You’ve captured her protective and loving expression expertly.
Beautiful image Dana!!!
Love this love this love this! Definitely one of your best photos, from home or session shoots! And the message behind it is huge and important, and this photo tells that story perfectly!
Beautiful story, beautiful cildren.
This is one of my favorite photos of yours from last year. So beautiful–can’t wait to hear the news that the adoption is final. Hugs!
I had chills run up my arm when I read your post.
I reached out and scooped up my little boy in a similar way when he was 16 weeks old.
I never loved so much from the heart until that moment.
And nothing will ever break the bond we share.
My little boy is nearly 14…and he is my whole world.
Don’t EVER let go of him…he will forget what life was like before you and you will be amazed at your ability to look on him with such pride and awe of the courage it took for him to survive the life he came through before he found your loving arms.
Your daughter is beautiful…and she has been given the gift early on of knowing both sides of unconditional love; feeling it from you and giving it herself to him…how wonderful!!
I wish you and your family EVERY wonderful thing!
Dita
Dana, this image is beautiful on its’ own, but the story you shared. I gasped at the end. I just don’t know what to say. May God continue to Richly Bless your sweet family!
The picture is beautiful because of all that it represents. I know your adoption will happen when God’s timing is right. Praying it is sooner rather than later.
Wow… beautiful, incredibly heartbreaking, and inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful, beautiful photo!
Incredible image and inspiring family!
Wow! This photo is so powerful. What an incrediable family, such open hearts, this lil boy is so blessed to have been given an opportunity to be embraced by love and such caring people. Thank you for sharing this story! xx
This is beautiful story.. and the your children and photo is beautiful…Thank you so much for sharing..
This picture is so beautiful! We were on the other side of that story. Our son had a bone marrow transplant and unfortunately we lost him at the age of 17 months. He was in PICU for the last eight weeks of his life. Everyday my husband and I stayed by his side, going over doctors notes, researching on the nurses computers, fighting for him because he was too little to fight for himself. During that time they had an admission next to our son’s room. He was a 17-month-old little boy. He had tanning lotion on him to hide his bruises. While he was there not one person came to visit him. He slept with his head under the covers and curled up in a ball at the side of the bed. No one was fighting for him. Thank you so much for sharing this story. My thoughts still go to that little boy even after three and a half years have passed. It brings me hope that he was blessed to be placed in a home that is full of love.
I love this photo, it’s the perfect picture….
I’m reading this on a Sunday morning…words cannot even come to me. Thank you for being HIs hands and feet in this world. The story and photo are beautiful.
Oh Dana, your heart is so beautiful. This image is stunning and will always be a treasure. You have broken my heart is such a good way. God bless you and yours, can’t wait for the wild celebration we will all share with you when he is “official” xoxo
And he IS perfect. I cannot wait for him to be a Suggs.
I want to be a Suggs.