Today is Valentine’s Day. It’s really quite interesting how the meaning of this day has changed over time for me.
When I was younger, it made me happy to receive expensive gifts, like extra-long special order roses and fancy dinners, because that meant I was loved. Over the years, it meant less how much someone spent and became more about the meaning behind the gifts.
Today, I got a pair of fuzzy slippers that look like I stuck my feet inside large teddy bear stuffed animals (it makes me laugh walking around in them), lots of drooly kisses, and hand-drawn “I love you” cards on construction paper. To top it off, I found out I got accepted as a volunteer photographer in an amazing non-profit organization, Inspiration Through Art!
The mission at Inspiration Through Art is to help provide and capture memories for families who have a child who is suffering from a serious illness or life-altering disability.
My heart is happy. I really couldn’t ask for anything better.
For the past couple years, I have been searching for the perfect volunteer opportunity that combines my 2 favorite things: art/photography and helping children. Though I am already busy throughout the year photographing children and families, this work is different.
It pains me to think there are families who ooze love out of their pores for their kids, but have enormous medical bills because of their child’s illness or disability, so they cannot afford to have custom photography. Or maybe professional photography never came to mind because they needed to face heavy emotions and extra duties each day. To provide these families with artwork that show the love in their family and their child’s unique personality would be such a privilege…for me.
I am so humbled to be accepted as a photographer with this organization. What a great Valentine’s day gift.
I’ve learned that it is important to love freely and be open to receiving love. That is the best gift of all.
xo,
annie