My Day with Denise

    I first met Denise back in December when Matt (my husband) and I were asked to take pictures for a Kick-off fundraiser for Autism.  Denise told an emotional story about how Autism had become a part of her daily life.  As she stood on the stage sharing her story, you could hear a pin drop in a room filled with others who understood her journey.  She asked us to imagine waking up one day and having your 3 year old child pack a suitcase and say good-bye to you.  This is how she described what she experienced once her son was diagnosed with Autism.  It was as though her little boy had disappeared in the night. 
     Denise spoke about the difficulties and the worries a parent experiences while raising a child with Autism.  However, she also shared the joyful moments that her son has brought into her life.  She made me aware of the fact that we take the little moments in life for granted such as our kids saying the words "I love you" to us.  One of Denise's greatest moments was when her son was seven years old (I hope I have the age correct) and he looked at his mom and spoke the words "I love you!"  How often do we take moments like this for granted?  I would say most of us do take special moments like this for granted, and I want to thank Denise for sharing her story with us and for causing us to think about all that we have and to appreciate the special little moments in life. 
     Not only is Denise a wife and a mother to two children, she is involved with Autism Speaks and has helped raise money to bring awareness to Autism and to hopefully find a cure to this mysterious and puzzling illness. 
     This is the link to Autism Speaks (they can be found on FB) http://www.facebook.com/pages/me-photography/117379584958087#!/AutismSpeaks.PB
     I would encourage everyone to support this foundation because as we all know, Autism can strike any family, at anytime.  We need to find an answer to the mystery of Autism.  Autism Speaks will be having their 'Walk Now For Autism Speaks' in West Palm Beach, FL on March 6, 2011.  If you would like to attend, or help out financially, please go to their FB page.
     In closing, I would like you to take a look at Denise's beautiful pictures!  She was a professional model before she gave birth to her son.  It has been 13 years since she worked as a model and I feel so lucky that I had the chance to spend the day with her - taking her pictures - and watching her glow as a model!