<title>Meet Matty! Littlest Heroes Project {Georgia Family Photographer}

A few weeks ago my family went with me to do a very special session at Stone Mountain. God definitely puts you in the right situation at the right time. I recently joined The Littlest Heroes Project. I was thrilled to be accepted into this program. Anderson's nevus (click here and her e for blog entries about Anderson) was nothing even remotely like Matty's, I still know what it is like to have a child that others see as different. It makes them uncomfortable so they avoid eye contact or look at you with the most pitiful eyes you've ever seen. They mean well, but they just don't know what to say or do. I've always tried to have compassion and caring for people no matter what is going on. Maybe I always felt like God would put me in a situation that would put that part of my personality to good use. :) My mom always tells the story of when she was trying to explain to me that we shouldn't talk to strangers. My answer to her was "But a stranger is just someone I haven't met before!". And so developed that part of me that will talk to just about anyone, anywhere, anytime. I try to look for the good through the bad. To me, that's what The Littlest Heroes Project does. They take an otherwise uncomfortable situation (professional custom photography) for these parents and match them with a photographer that understands and can't wait to work with them. I only hope that God will let me work with more of these families.

So, back to Matty! :) Matty is the son of a friend from high school. She and I were 2 out of the gazillion graduates from Brookwood High School's class of 1994. (Yup, we are OLD!! Not that Kathy has aged one bit!) Thanks to the wonders of Facebook I have been able to reconnect with so many friends from the past. I heart Facebook! :) Kathy and I have chatted about our sons on Facebook before and I have prayed for him and their precious family. Matty was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma and has been battling this form of brain cancer. I don't remember when he was diagnosed, but I remember Kathy telling me about how they found out. I can't imagine the shock. But when I tell you that Matty has two of the most awesome parents ever, I am so serious! Kathy and Matt are the most wonderful kind-hearted people you'll ever meet. They are strong. I'm sure they have their moments of sadness and frustration, but as she and I have talked about, this is all part of being a parent. You just do what needs to be done. You take care of your babies with everything you have. You love them with every ounce of your being and do the best you can for them. Children are the truest example of unconditional love here on Earth. Matty has been blessed with awesome parents! Lucky kid! And, to top it off, they are HILARIOUS! :) We had so much fun with them. BUT, let me not forget to tell you about Kaylee. She is Matty's sister. She might be a little diva-ish (which I love because I have quite the Diva here at my house!), but she is such a special little girl. She's had to deal with so much in her young life, too. It really hit home with me when Eva asked why Matty wasn't feeling well and Kaylee looked at her and said, "He has cancer.". In true Eva form, she just kept going. She asked a question, she got an answer and all was good. :) Despite the reality of the situation, our families had a great time that Saturday! We decided to meet at Stone Mountain because Matty loves trains. The PR dept was very generous and allowed us to shoot on location, waived the fee for me, and gave us all complimentary passes. Matty was a little off that day due to some new meds and having just started a new round of chemo. The train rocked him right to sleep!! We did a few more pics before we hit the highlight of Matty's day....the funnel cake!! That boy can EAT some funnel cake!! Kathy said he'd recently come off of a feeding tube and he was enjoying being able to eat food again. Matty got tired again so we cut our session a little short. But we have made plans to reshoot in July. I'm going to go visit them either at their home or closeby to finish up our session. :) I can't wait!! So, until then, here are a few from our trip to Stone Mountain!