I know this is coming in a little late but I didn’t want to go without sharing this with you here. There is so much to be said about connecting art with matters of the heart and with today’s feature Friday I hope that you leave feeling inspired to seek a sense of peace and beauty in what may feel like the most challenging times. So back in May I was chosen as one of 50 photographers across the nation to participate in the Beauty Revived 50 most Beautiful Mothers campaign. You see Beauty Revived is changing the way we see beauty through campaigns that feature the top 50 most beautiful teachers, adoption stories, moms..etc. This particular campaign was one that focused on highlighting some amazing moms doing great things in their community and or facing struggles head on with strength and beauty. Once chosen we were able to select our local mothers and bless them with photo shoot to celebrate them. After shooting them we all had the opportunity to be featured in the printed Beauty Revived magazine as well as their blog. I shared more of my excitement and joy of being able to partake in such a great cause in this post here, but today I want to formally share the story with you and the images we created together. Below you will also see the final page spread in the printed magazine.
Working with Page was truly amazing. She was a dream to photograph and her smile lights up the room. I learned so much about her and we spent time talking about fashion, styling, her amazing son Charlie..and well.. more fashion. Not oddly enough we share the same love for Franchesca’s. Today after the shoot as already been said an done she graces my Facebook page with videos and images of her boy who I have not yet met but simply adore.
Meet Page….
She is Beauty Revived.
A mother who’s story inspired me instantly by a photo she emailed me of her only son Charlie who has been challenged by a neurological disorder, cerebral palsy. His photo alone reminded me of the joy of being a mother, even when trying to find that smallest ray of light on the darkest day. Here he was, visibly affected by this disorder. But what stood out to me the most was his overwhelming smile that went on for miles it seemed. Such a happy boy in his photo dressed up in his soccer uniform. And at that moment, I just knew I wanted Page to help us represent Beauty Revived. This was a small and simple testament to me that she was doing something right and I wanted to not only learn more about her but celebrate her and make her smile.
Five years ago her world changed.
And after coming to the realization that her life may not end up as planned, she has found strength and hope. Seconds after her son was born with lack of oxygen and no cry in sight, the ambulance arrived and rushed him to the emergency room. Just as any mother would worry she held in her heart that he was God’s perfect child and would be taken care of. Month by month as milestones weren’t be met, her heart began to feel heavy. She had days she just didn’t want to go on. Looking for someone to blame, she felt the only person she could blame was herself. And the thought of not being able to do the simple things in life such as walking across the street holding her son’s hand or even the thought as far down the road as being a grandmother someday would never be a possibility and that broke her heart.
Page has always dreamed of just having down time with Charlie and playing at the park, but with his challenges, and on the go routines with more than 6 therapies a week as a “special needs mom” she is challenged to find the normalcy in their life both mentally and physically. As the years have gone by, she wanted to think outside of herself more and challenge life great changes.
Instead of just making do with life as it is, today she collects thousands of books and delivers them to the local Children’s Hospital Rehab Facility where Charlie see’s his neurologist. She fills the shelves several times a year with their newly built shelving unit she orchestrated with a local Girl Scout troop. She states “It’s been a blessing for me to see this change, and the special place it now holds in my heart”.
While challenge has probably gotten the worse as well as the better of Page, her son Charlie has made her a more loving, caring, selfless and most importantly stronger mom than she ever thought she could be. She is grateful for the love and support of her jr. high sweetheart and husband now who has been by her side, attends all appointments and loves her more than enough to reassure her that she can do it and go on. Page knows that challenges may be never ending even with anything that may be outside of Charlies needs. But when he smiles, she knows she can face the day head on with grace and a positive attitude.
Marie Holmes Photography is a baby, maternity, family, and child photographer in North Austin, Texas including Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville and Georgetown as well as parts of Central Austin such as West Lake Hills, Lakeway, Lake Travis and other surrounding areas. Marie shoots both on location in addition to her indoor modern and fresh all white natural light studio.