til we meet again....

mason's service was on sunday afternoon. it was a sweet service, and being standing room only, it was so clear how much mason was loved and how many lives he touched in his way-too-short time here on earth. mason was a very special kid and he will be missed by many. after the service, his family had a butterfly release in mason's honor. it was a beautiful moment, and his mom, stacy, wanted me to take a few photos for them. my prayers are with this beautiful family every day! may God give them peace and comfort during this difficult time, knowing that mason is hanging with Jesus, listening to music, and smiling that beautiful smile.

with a heavy heart....

it is with a very heavy heart that i write this post. you read about my new friend, mason, only 10 days ago. after reading about this amazing boy, many of you told me you were praying for mason and his family. he was fighting a rare cancer called anaplastic ganglioglioma. i'm sad to say that last night, he lost that battle. my heart breaks for mason's family. i know they'll miss that infectious smile and his sweet spirit. i also know that mason is smiling that precious smile in Heaven today. he is no longer in pain, and that brings comfort in this difficult time. please keep mason's family in your prayers.

so i met this boy.... | winston-salem family photographer

... and he stole my heart. his name is mason, and he's 9 years old. he has this great family and lots of friends and love and support. he's silly and brave and an inspiration to so many. he has a sweet, sweet spirit that you can just feel when you're around him. and let me tell you, when he smiles, you just can't help but smile too.

on the outside, mason looks like like a normal, happy kid... but on the inside, his body is fighting a battle that most of us can't comprehend. you see, mason has a rare cancer called anaplastic ganglioglioma and the tumors in his brain are not getting better. i have been following mason's story for a while, but when a friend told me that he had progressed from the "cure stage" to the "palliative care stage" (just making him comfortable), i knew i needed to help. i don't have a lot to offer, but i wanted to give them a family photo session while mason was feeling well enough. i am so glad i did. meeting mason and his family might have just changed my life. what an amazing strength they have. here is a glimpse into our session....

my new friend, mason...

showing off his strength!

they're a little crazy :) 

might be my favorite of the day...

here is Mr Courageous himself with my friend, Elaine, who introduced us... told you he's silly. :) 

please keep mason and his family in your prayers. you can follow his story here.