Meghan Haan has been blessed. Blessed with a loving family, a supportive community, and a stong spirit. Blessed with it all while required to fight Oosteosarcoma. A type of bone cancer. Her Mom, Michele, is a dear friend and let me just say this was not the year Michele and I had planned. We had big ideas. Creative ideas. You can find Michele's blog HERE. And then Meghan was diagnosed. And then we all remembered we were not in charge.
I have known cancer all my life. My sister and I were orphaned because of cancer. Cancer is not my friend. And Yet, well. Yet it is in large part why I remember to appreciate life. It is a large part of who I am. Even so I did not expect it to knock at my friends' door. Not for her beautiful innocent Child. And yet- so much good has come. They have received so many blessings. AND I, I have been blessed with the chance to be in the community of her supporters. To be around Meghan is to remember Why. Why we're here, why to appreciate, why to grab life by the horns and just do it. She is a joy with a million dollar smile and a lot of giggles and we could not, any of us, be more proud of her. Or her parents. Or her siblings. We anxiously await the term "remission" now, praying all has healed. Michael and Michele keep a detailed blog on Meghan HERE.
These photos were taken a couple weeks ago on a sunny afternoon just in time for Meghan's hair to start growing again! :) I can't imagine what these images will bring to mind when they look at these in the future and try to remember this point in time. It is photography at it's best if you ask me. Capturing life that will never repeat and you don't want to forget. New babies. Toothless smiles. Children in all their joys and struggles. Life and relationships how they ARE. Right now. Today. Embrace it.
I just keep getting teary-eyed every time I look at these - they are so precious! I can't thank you enough - not only for these beautiful pictures, but also for your love, friendship, support, encouragement - the list goes on and on. I treasure the times we have together - whether they are laughing or crying or skipping through the rain singing Cyndi Lauper :) You're the best and I love you!
Posted by: Michele | September 29, 2008 at 16:17
Dear Terri,
Thank you for giving this priceless gift to Michael, Michele & Meghan and their family and friends. I am sure you agree that it has been most agonizing to see our dear friends walk this road, and yet to feel so powerless to help them.
What you have done above has most certainly been a huge blessing and gift to the Haans, and not only them, but to the rest of us who love them as well!
With Sincere Appreciation,
Kristin Hunter
Posted by: Kristin Hunter | September 30, 2008 at 01:38
These images are just gorgeous.. your gift will last always.. Much Love to the family and to Meghan..she is truly gorgeous and those eye.. wow
Posted by: elizabeth | September 30, 2008 at 09:42
beautiful. truly beautiful.
Posted by: John | September 30, 2008 at 10:05
Amen and bravo to Ter Vruggink. What a precious gift these pictures are for the Haan family. And we get to know them and love them a little better also.
Posted by: Don Koopman | September 30, 2008 at 10:56
beautiful beyond words...thanks terri
Posted by: Lauren DeRuischer | September 30, 2008 at 11:54
Tears...........beautiful!!
Posted by: Holly Goulet | October 01, 2008 at 12:19
Meghan's pictures are amaazing!! I wish I had some similar when my daughter was "doing cancer" !! I remember struggling at the time, wondering how I could possibly want to view images made while we were in hell, I was sure if we survived it I would never want to think of it again.(Ha, ha a little post cancer joke there!! There is no forgetting it!) On the other hand I was paralyzed by the different feelings I would have if she "didn't make it" Would I want the "bad" pictures? or only the ones from good times? Ick!! Now I wish I had them. They would have documented the enormous struggle and the victory over cancer that now seems difficult to put into words. We are proud of what we went through, cherish the gifts that cancer gave us and happily spread the word that cancer is rarely the end that you imagine it will be!!I wish everyone going down this path could have pictures like these!! Terri, I hope you will consider this a calling! Love you and best wishes to Meghan and her family.
Tiffany
Posted by: Tiffany Althouse | October 16, 2008 at 12:57
Terri,
Cancer is one of those dark things many of us have lived with for too long, but talked about way too little. This makes it beautiful.
Posted by: Steve Fox | October 18, 2008 at 20:40