So, I have received permission to share the story of the family I chose to gift the Big Portrait Giveaway to. I’ll share the second family’s story too, as soon as I get the go ahead. This is the email I received, and I think that Lauren wrote so beautifully about why her sister deserves this gift of portraits.
“I am nominating my sister, Andrea B. She is one of the strongest women that I know. She married James B. in March of 2004. He is in the United States Air Force. They have been stationed at McGuire Air Force Base in Trenton, NJ since they got married. Andrea and her family have made numerous sacrifices so that her husband can serve for his country. He has done one tour in Afghanistan and they are being stationed in Italy in February.
As you might possibly know, a life in the services isn’t always a pretty one. My brother-in-law is an enlisted man and they are currently living below the poverty line. With four children, they made the wise decision for my sister to become a stay-at-home-mom. When things get really tough for them my sister gets a part-time job working nights. She is currently working at Target to save money for their passports (yes, they have to get these on their own!). As you can imagine, getting passports for a family of six is rather expensive when you don’t have anything extra after groceries and bills. They are currently living in the on-base housing that is going to be torn down very soon. They are a family of six living in an 1100 sf home. They do without things that I would consider a necessity and rarely get anything “extra”.
It broke my heart when I was there over Thanksgiving and saw that two of her children were wearing the same winter coats from the winter before although they were obviously too small. They wore gloves to make up the difference in the sleeves. I left my sons coat for my nephew and my parents bought a new one for my niece. She would never ask for help with something like this. The only time she has ever asked for help is when they can’t put food on the table. She has visited food pantries and receives WIC for the kids.
They have never had professional pictures taken. Not even at their wedding. The closest thing to “professional” pictures they have ever had is the studio at Wal-Mart. They may not have to worry about the bank foreclosing on their home or her husband losing his job, but they do have the worry of war in the backs of their minds. This would be such a great gift to them and I know they and their children would cherish it forever. And this would also be a gift that they probably will never be able to afford, at least as long as my brother-in-law stays in the Air Force. By the way, he is planning on a career in the Air Force and we couldn’t be prouder of him.
So, for all of your sacrifices and all of your love, here’s to you sis!”
I’m looking forward to meeting Andrea and her family soon, and sharing more of their story and of course their photos! Thank you Lauren for taking the time to write in and nominate your sister. It was a small act, but I just want to acknowledge that it’s through small acts like this one, of opening one’s hearts, taking a chance, making the time, sharing, and loving, that we can bring a bit of joy to others.
Thank you again to ALL who wrote in to nominate a loved one.
Umm…yeah, they have awesome eye genes.
