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Last night I was up at 4 am, stressing for the millionth time over my blog. I was having a panic attack thinking about how many images I have to resize and reupload to get this little blog back up and running, on top of all the sessions I have to edit, the wedding albums I have to lay out, the Bride meetings I need to attend. I feel asleep after much tossing and turning at the huge to do list running through my bed. When I woke up, I checked my email, and saw a Caring Bridge update on one of my Sweet Friends, Laura. Laura has been, basically, in the hospital for almost a year, battling a disease called hypoplastic myelodysplastic sydrome (MDS). It came on suddenly last fall, and Laura has been kicking its you know what for the past 10 months. A few months ago I popped in to visit with Laura and her family, and decided to bring my camera along. I knew Laura was about to go through her biggest battle to date, a bone marrow transplant. A transplant that could be her cure, but also start a whole new fight as her body would decide whether or not to fight that marrow or accept it. I wanted to document the amazing love that flows between her, and her husband Matt. They have this amazing spark between them. Their love is full of sass, lots of wit, lots of banter, and a passion that you can see from across the room. They’ve been fighting this battle together. Even when Matt was forced to wear a mask so as to keep his germs to himself. I hear he’s had to start placing a towel between his lips and Laura’s forhead so that he can still give her the love and affection he wants, and again, still keep his germs to himself. Laura has been unbelievably strong over these past few months. Her facebook wall is full of sassy little comments about blood draws, IV’s, and the endless barrage of medicines and pills. I wanted to make sure that during Laura’s hospital stays and having to be away from Matt, that she could remember through these images what good, healthy, happy times look like. So she could get back to them as soon as possible.

Why am I writing this post now you ask? Well, this morning, as I woke up to attack my giant to do list of items to clean up what I thought was the worst possible thing that could happen, my blog crashing. The first email in my inbox was Lauras update. It seems, Laura is at a giant crossroads with her battle of MDS. She’s fighting a big bad infection and frankly, I wanted to blog because I need your help. I completley believe in the power of sweet thoughts and words of encouragement. So, sweet blog readers, Im asking for prayers, words of encouragement, sweet words to get Laura through this hard time and to let her know there are so many people out there thinking of her. Feel free to leave blog comments for this sweet, incredible, smart, wise, strong woman and her amazing family and friends.

Lola, I loved you before I knew you simply because I consider the G. Family my own. So, like it or not, when you became a part of it, I instantly claimed you as well. Fight hard sweet girl. The world is a better place with you in it and I know that there are hundreds of people out there cheering you along, with little pennants that say “GO LAURA”. I’m one of your biggest fans.

Theres a giant comment section below that I would love to see full of sweet words and encouragement for my Amazing friend. Whether you know her personally or not.  I know you won’t let me down