Family shoots are usually fun, light-hearted events, but sometimes, we have to take a different approach to a Photo shoot.
This shoot was different.
This shoot provoked laughter AND tears, because this shoot was taken out of urgency.
The kind of urgency you get when you receive bad news.
Dale’s father, not yet 60, was just diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. 
More spots then they can count on his liver, and spots in his lungs too.
We aren’t going down without a fight, both with the doctor and chemo, and natural remedies too. But it didn’t change our feelings on the timing of this Family Photo Shoot. Some things you just don’t realize you need to do, until you think that maybe soon you won’t get the chance anymore.
We wanted to take Papa Dons photo BEFORE the Chemo took it’s toll on his body and his appearance.
There have been many, many tears shed at our house and many difficult decisions to make, and paperwork to fill out.
There have been many serious talks, some with tears, some without, about what was happening to Papa.
Because of this, the children decided to make Papa Don cards, listing all the reasons they love him. They worked so hard on their pictures.
We decided at the photo shoot would be a perfect time to give them to him……
We are believing in Faith, in a God who is the Great I AM. The perfect Healer. And we will pray and fight with and for Don until the end, no matter what the end holds.
That’s the hardest part about all this,
Praying and believing for the best, yet having to take all steps to prepare and plan for the worst.
But I know this, our Heavenly Father has plans for Papa Don, plans to bring him hope and a future…..
And until we know those plans, our job is to make each day count as if it were his last.
But that’s the funny part about all this,
Any of us, at any time could be living our last days, minutes, moments.
So here’s to saying I love you,
I care about you,
You are an amazing example to our children,
You make us laugh,
We admire you and your quiet strength,
Thank you……….
And here’s to spending just a few more seconds in that hug good bye each time you come over…..
For this Earth is not our home……
We are all here but a moment in time.
~T
Update: God is so so good! We have been pursuing both chemo and natural treatments via The Life Vessel and we have some amazing news. Don’s markers in his blood were over 8,000 his first visit, and the doctor frankly told him he shouldn’t even be here. 2 months later: his marker count came back at 4,000! Praise God for His healing touch, and may He continue to bring healing to Don’s body as he fights this cancer. Thank you for your prayers!
4 little Fergusons 