My Visual Stories

A Baby's World

The Children Need You

You drive by your community baseball parks and soccer fields, elementary schools, malls, and playground areas at McDonalds. The one thing all these sort of places have in common is the joy of children. Playing and carefree. Drive by a local pediatric hospital, like Texas Children's ninth floor and MD Anderson's ninth floor and it is a different story. Bats aren't swinging; balls aren't flying; Dippin Dots aren't being eatin; no one is swinging from the monkey bars. Behind the walls of those pretty buildings you find kids fighting - fighting for their lives. Some are dying and some are surviving. But no matter what - most are smiling and they all need you to be aware. Aware that childhood cancer is a monster that affects thousand's of children every year.

The above video is a tribute to all children fighting cancer and for those caring for them. You can make a difference. Help spread the word about the reality of childhood cancer. Hook up with an organization to help make a difference (drop me a note and I can give you a list of very worthy organizations on the frontlines). Whatever you do, you can be a part of finding a cure. This video is visual story of our son's fight against AML Leukemia. He was diagnosed in August 2008. He is still fighting! In a speech at our local church this past Sunday, he said, "It has been a very hard two years. But I haven't done this - WE have done this!" Please join the fight. Find your place on the battlefield. Do a little, do a lot - but do something! Do it for the children!

Behind these Blue Eyes

 Meet Bryson. Stare into his eyes. Beautiful blue eyes. Running through this young child's blood is Leukemia. Again. We met Bryson and his mom and dad last year when our son returned to Texas Children's with Leukemia. Again. We would watch Bryson riding the hallway in his blue wagon gazing at his surroundings with his blazing blue eyes. Surroundings that such a one would never choose. News of Bryson's relapse landed hard.

His dad Tim says, "The results have come back positive..Our little boy has relapsed, definitely not the news we wanted to hear but what else can we do, NOTHING, be the strong parents and help Bryson get through more chemo and then bone marrow transplant. The next several months are going to be important for Bryson an...d we need as much prayers as you can say PLEASE......."

Bryson, Tim, Stephanie...you are all loved. And you can count on prayers being offered on your behalf. God's will be done. Bryson's mother, Stephanie shares these wise words: "Have faith when you feel you have nothing else because every setback is a setup for an even greater comeback. With all my heart I believe this quote, although my heart is aching right now, my FAITH will carry me through this tough time!"

An Experience Worth Your Time

When you step into the Bombay Brasserie Indian Restaurant in Houston, Texas, your senses are immediately alerted to the exquisite smells coming from the kitchen where authentic Indian food is being made. You are then greeted by one of their friendly waiters and seated at a nice table with sparkling white tablecloths. Excellent service… exquisite Indian food… and friendly, caring people who are not merely serving you to make a profit, but to ensure you are enjoying your dinner while they get to know you a little better making your next visit there even more enjoyable. 

Such is the experience that our family has had at Bombay over the last two years.  Spending so much time in the hospital and often getting tired of hospital food, fast food, and microwave dinners, not to mention way too exhausted to cook every night, we discovered Bombay in the Rice Village and ventured in for a taste of something different. The people there welcomed us in, got to know us, and before long, we could walk through the door and be greeted by our names and the next inquiry would be as to how our son was doing in his fight against cancer. One day Jonathan was finally able to visit for himself and they treated him to a wonderful meal. Our little girl was even treated to a private tour of the kitchen where she was able to see the many dishes being prepared as well as the big clay oven called a tandoori. She was quite amazed!

The people there who care enough to get to know our family, the chef with his happy face and cooking talents, the atmosphere, and exquisite food are all reasons that we love this place. If you’re ever in Houston, stop by Bombay and enjoy!

 

[Article by Melanie O'Malley]

Click here for more images from the kitchen I shot recently at Bombay.

No Regret

"A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it." Solomon from Proverbs 31

As I shot a few pictures of Melanie and our daughters today, I found myself thinking how fortunate I am to have Melanie as my life partner. She's a good woman and I thank God for finding her for me. I'm not much into diamonds, but I can't even imagine them being worth more than her if I were. She's quiet a diamond in her own right. To be able to trust without reserve in all regards is an awesome blessing. I trust her love, her motherhood, her character. I trust. I can think back over my life and have no problem identifying regrets. "I wish I hadn't done that. I regret I trusted him/her/it/that." But Melanie has never given me cause to regret anything about her or our relationship.

If I had all the diamonds in the world - well - I'd have all the diamonds in the world. But I have a diamond that trumps it all. And that diamond has soul, heart, intellect, compassion, faith, and love. We are best friends. We do coffee together, bookstores, social networking, church, read, and photography together, to name a few things. We simply liking hanging out together.

I'm lucky. I know there are those who have yet to be so blessed in this regard. For them I hope it to be so at some point. But I have been and therefore I value my wife without regret. Thank you for your love, your devotion to family, your humility, and your love Melanie. For who you are, I love you more than all - even a pile of diamonds.

A Smile Can Change Anything

Jonathan song

Our son, Jonathan, has been fighting Acute Myloid Leukemia Since August 2008. He has been brave. He wrote and sang this song at a time when he was fighting with everything he could muster, especially his faith. The song is entitled "A Smile Can Change Anything." Turn your sound up and click the link above.

A Day With Alisa Murray

Alisa Murray is one of our nations most recognized photographers and resides in Houston, Texas. Alisa not only possesses a creative passion for capturing incredible images, she has a huge heart for those enduring cancer. Partnering with the Snowdrop foundation, Alisa is shooting for and putting together a calendar that features several pediatric cancer patients, including our son, Jonathan. This project is one of many that Alisa gives her time and talent to, and raises funds for the Snowdrop foundation which in turn is used to fund pediatric cancer research at Texas Children's as well as assist cancer patients.

Our family was truly blessed today to visit Alisa, her husband Brian, and her staff at her home and studio and watch her work her creative magic as she photographed Jonathan. Before we left, some 3 hours later, we felt like we had known her and her family forever. That's just how open and giving her and Brian were.

With my own newfound interest in photography, I was absorbing everything I could learn in our visit. One of the greatest moments I had was when Alisa allowed me to pull my camera out and take this photo of her and Jonathan. The opportunity to photograph someone like Alisa, recognized as one of the tops in her field, was truly special. Our thanks to Alisa and Brian for sharing your hearts, your talents, and your love with our family.

You can see some of Alisa's work at http://alisamurray.com 
 

Unsoiled Feet of Innocence

My first grandaugther, Tyffanie. Precious. Beautiful. So why just the feet? Newborn feet. Feet that have yet to touch the soil of this world. But they will, and the many paths they will follow only history awaits to record. As I looked at these unsoiled feet through my viewfinder, a visual story began to emerge, and with that story, emotions like gladdness, fear, protect, and wonder.

These feet will very soon embark on the journey of life as they carry forth the flesh and bone, the heart and soul they support. They will travel many different paths. Some of which we shout, "Don't go there." Other's we cheer and prod and encourage. We have all been there. At times we didn't listen and we paid for it. Maybe still paying for it. Choices. One foot went that way, the other this way. Oh, the great feeling when both feet are moving in unison, single-minded, no ambivalence! God's path marked out for us flooded with abundant blessing. That's the way Tyffanie. That's the path I commit you to. Follow our example, but never our slippings. Be a sponge for wisdom to deposit it's teaching. Teach us anew in your age of innocence, before your feet become soiled by the hardships of life. We are watching you!

"I will direct your path..."  - God -

Trust little Tyffanie. Love. Serve. Persist. Honor. It is the right way even though the world entices us to the opposites. We didn't always listen and we have the scars to show. Don't buy it. It's a fraud. Stay on God's path, each step of the way and you will never go wrong. Allow God to exhalt you as you live your life in humility.

We love you!

 

Still Smiling

It has been heart-breaking these last few days watching Jonathan suffer incredible pain from this Urinary track issue. I took this shot today and it captures his victorious spirit in spite of his circumstances. Cancer sucks but Jonathan is fighting as hard as he can to not allow it to win or break him down. Love you my son. You can follow his story at http://carepages.com/jonathanomalley
 

Nurse

"I'm not going to tell you again Jonathan, Take your *@!& medicine now!"

 "I'll take my medicine when I am ready to take it. Now, leave...me...alone!"

Role reversal. It is passionate nurses like Kami and courageous cancer patients like Jonathan that are able to laugh in the face of such a horrendous monster. Kami, keep the faith, share your love, and keep doing what you do so well. You are so appreciated and thank you for shining light on our past year and half.