Love big.  Don't be afraid.  Enjoy this moment.  No regrets.  Choose Joy.  

Those are such bold phrases, and they are frequently spoken by very brave people.  And, to be honest, I often hear them being said by folks fighting that awful cancer word.  It's a word that we fear, but when it is really near us - it leads us to courage.  This sickness delivers depth to our lives.  I've seen people hug, smile, laugh and just live life bigger when cancer is close.  

Here are photos of ladies that live those phrases.

Yes, again, I photographed pretty people.  I can't help it.  I keep thinking I'm gonna one day have to shoot an ugly person, but it just ain't happening.  

A big thanks to you, Michelle Tracy, for letting me do this shoot.  It was a delight to sit in my backyard and watch you and yours just have so much sweet fun together.

Michelle's mother (we call her Annema instead of Gramma, how cute is that?) received the news that there was a mass in her lungs November 2017.  She was officially diagnosed with lung cancer January 2018.

Also, anyone viewing this little blog, please be encouraged and challenged by these ladies.  If you have a moment, please pray that peace and joy will be near them always.