About 18 months ago, I met a wonderfully fun and warm family during a portrait session. They stood out in my mind right away, Mom, Dad, and Daughter, for their vivacious spirits and love of life. Soon after, Mardi and I learned that we shared a sad but life-defining bond, in that we had both very recently lost our mothers to breast cancer. Every year, Mardi and her husband, along with a wealth of family and friends, participate in the 3-Day Walk for Breast Cancer. I knew I was not going to be able to walk with them this year (next year, I hope to!), so I wanted to do something to support their efforts and determination.
I asked Mardi to send me a little something about her journey. Here is what she wrote …
On November 30th, 2004, my life changed forever. My best friend, mentor, confidante, spiritual advisor, daily prayer warrior, shoe shopping buddy passed away. She was all those things and so much more because she was my mom. I miss her every day and when I go home to Florida, I still can hear her coming, shuffling down the hallway to the kitchen and I really think she is going to show up! Then I remember…she is no longer here with me on this earth. But I praise God that I do know where she is at and that I am blessed enough to be following her there one day.
My mom, Myrna, battled breast cancer for almost 7 years. She was a true warrior in her fight. She never complained or asked “why me?” during the whole course of treatments, surgeries, and hospital stays. Instead, she truly used this as an opportunity to tell everyone she met about Jesus and how He had saved her. I can’t wait to see how many lives were changed because of her telling others about how great our God is.
Each year now since her passing, I have committed a weekend to walking for her memory, but also to walk for the future. In October this year, I will take on a 60 mile, 3 day journey to help put an end to breast cancer! It is called The 3 Day and it is another life changing experience. To see all these people come together for one cause is truly inspiring. There are women there who are walking during the course of treatments, some are survivors celebrating their victory, and some, like myself, are walking in memory of someone they love. My motivation is to see an end to breast cancer so that myself, my daughter, and every one of my friends not have to go through what my mom went through.
So there you have it Shannon. I could go on and on about my mom and how truly remarkable she was. I know you can understand that as well.
I so appreciate you doing this for such an important cause. I know for both of us, our lives will never be the same because we do not have our moms anymore. But I know like myself, you praise God that you had her for as long as you did and that we wouldn’t be the women we are had we not had them.
Mardi’s goal is not just an emotional and physical one, but also a financial one. She and husband, Gary, have been working very hard all year to reach a fundraising goal for her team’s walk. Here is how I would like to help her.
From now until September 30, I will donate a portion of my sales from a few different products to Mardi’s team. Please consider purchasing one of these special pieces for yourself or as a holiday gift for someone you love, and know that you are helping an incredible cause. If you would like to donate money specifically to Mardi’s team, please contact me and I will put you in touch with her directly.
The Artist’s Hope Canvas
I designed this piece specifically for this fundraiser. It incorporates many elements that are symbolic of the journey through breast cancer, as well as Mardi’s mother and my mother. The pink rose background symbolizes the beauty of each woman who must fight this disease, delicate and unique yet tough at the core. The butterfly symbolizes the new life on the other side of cancer, whether it be in this world or Heaven. The passage of scripture from 1 Corinthians is one that Mardi and I chose together. It was one of my mother’s favorites. To me, it embodies everything that brings us through these tragic battles we sometimes face … Faith, Hope, and Love. Where are we without those three?
Your choice of image will blended into the design, and I am happy to help choose an image from your session if you’d like. Designed as a square gallery-wrapped canvas, this arrives with a UV coating for protection and a finished back, ready for hanging. No need for a frame!
The cost is $425 for a 20×20 canvas, or $370 for a 16×16 canvas. I will donate $100 from every canvas sold.
The Simplicity Collage
This is a new item from Shannon Holden Photography. The collage consists of a single image, surrounded by a creative border and your child’s name (optional) on a white background. It is available with an easel or attached ribbon to hang directly on the wall, perfect for the nursery! For girls, the border will be a bit more feminine, with some delicate curls and swirls. For boys, the border will be tastefully shabby, in a crosshatch style. The print itself is 12×12 inches and is mounted and coated for protection. No need for a frame here either!
The Simplicty Collage is available for $150 including ribbon or easel. I will donate $50 from each collage sold to Mardi’s team.
The Simplicity Notecards & Bookmarks
Also a new item from Shannon Holden Photography. These will be delightful holiday gifts for a special grandmother or aunt, or just for yourself! The note cards are 4×5.5 inches in size and printed on crisp, white paperstock. They will have your choice of a single image on the front, surrounded by an artistic border. They are blank inside for your own personal note, and include envelopes. The bookmarks are 2×7 inches long, and are available in your choice of any solid color background with a single image on one side. Consider including a bookmark with each of your holiday cards this year. Your family will love them!
Prices begin at $70 per pack. For each pack of Simplicity notecards or bookmarks sold, I will donate $20 to Mardi’s team.
You will find all of the above items in the Specialty Items section of my online store. For this fundraiser, I have created a special category there so you can easily find everything in one place. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Remember to place your order before September 30!
Mardi, thank you for sharing a glimpse of your mother with me over the past year. I like to think of your mom and my mom chatting and smiling as they look down on us now. My prayers will be with you and Gary on your walk.