Have you ever faced cancer, whether it was you or a loved one?  I have to say, most people know or have known someone who has had that dreadful C word told to them.  I happen to be one of those people.  My mom died when I was 16 of ovarian cancer and a few years before that, she was diagnosed with skin cancer.  When I was 19, I was sitting in a hospital room and a Dr. came in and told me I had cancer.  One day, I will share with you my story and everything that happened and where I am with that today, but I really want to talk with you about Stay Strong.

I have a family member who is also a photographer in Oklahoma and she did a photo shoot with some ladies about loving your body.  I thought it was a great idea and it was a very personal, vulnerable session.  I asked her if I could steal that idea and I may do it one day, but the other day I was coming home and its like God laid it on my heart.  Cancer.  That single, ugly, scary, stupid, horrible word that no one likes to say.  All of a sudden all these flood gates of ideas started rushing through my head and I knew this was the session I needed to do.

Joyful Memories Photography will be having their first annual photography session, free of charge to 6 individuals who have lost a loved one to cancer, is fighting cancer and who is a survivor and/or in remission.  This will be a session that is serious, but fun and I want to be able to share your story or your loved ones story.

There will be some rules and recommendations in order to be chosen of the 6 people.

• You must write 300 words or less of your story  to https://www.facebook.com/JoyfulMemoriesPhotography09/ facebook page or email, JoyfulMemories09@aol.com
• You need a 8X10 frame of the lost loved one
• Must be available on either October 12th, 14th, or 19th
• Must be able to share you story and pictures online

If you are in the process of fighting cancer, wig or no wig, hair or no hair is perfectly fine.  You are a fighter and inspiration and that is beautiful, just like you! If you are in remission and or a survivor, come as you are!  If you have lost a loved one and sad, whether its been 2 weeks or 2 years, bring that loved ones picture so we can share their story and yours.

This is our first annual picture session and so I am still working out the details, but this is your time to shine.  I will need your consent on sharing your pictures and story for others who are struggling or is facing the same thing.  Everyone needs to be reminded that its scary, but you are strong!

I plan on having a chalkboard for you to write anything you want.  You can write SURVIVOR,FIGHTER, DAUGHTER, SISTER, SON, MOTHER, BUTTKICKER, whatever you like.  The sessions will be around 15-20 minutes per person and hopefully we can get some people together so that they can help make an impact on each others lives too.

When God placed this on my heart, I never even realized that next month is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so I love the fact that we can share to others all kinds of cancer awareness.