I’m not really sure where to begin with this story… I guess I should start with how I first heard of Layla Grace, who she is, and why I’m posting about her.
It was a few weeks ago when my good friend randomly asked me if I’d ever heard of Layla Grace and I simply replied unknowingly, No… What’s that? Errr, I mean, who’s that? I had no idea how heartbreaking the next bit of info would be.
My friend told me about a sweet, beautiful little girl who was in the last stages of Neuroblastoma Cancer…. A bright-eyed, high-spirited little girl whose loving parents had started a blog to keep their friends and family updated on her progress as she went through horribly tough, tough times fighting her terrible desease. Although the initial intentions of this blog were not to gain recognition, this blog eventually started being following by thousands (literally) of prayerful well-wishers… all praying for peace and comfort for this one lovely family.
My friend told me I should check out their blog if I wanted… but she knew for certain, I would cry while reading it. Of course, later that evening as I read along, I cried and cried. And cried.
After reading Layla’s story and seeing the gorgeous photos that Cypress based photographer Christie Lacy had done for them, my heart was so incredibly heavy with grief, hope, love, and pain for Layla’s entire family… I could not, for the life of me, get them out of my head. Their family is similar in make-up to mine: three young girls, about the same ages as mine. I couldn’t image how Layla’s parents were making it through each day – obviously, they are very faithful servants to the Lord. I prayed and prayed for them – and I still do.
Four days after first hearing about Layla, I received a phone call completely out of the blue from Christie Lacy (the photographer who did their family photos)… She did not know me and I did not know her. As she explained who she was and told me the exact same story I had just read online four days earlier, I realized God was setting the stage for something He knew I couldn’t refuse and I was in awe. Christie explained to me that this special little girl and her family had touched her heart… My heart pounded. I was shaking. And, I was completely astounded… Why in the world am I receiving this call?? How did she even get my number?!
Christie asked if I’d join forces with her in a charity event benefiting the family of Layla Grace… After working with the Marsh Family, she was so touched that she wanted to do something more for them – A Charity Mini Session Event, Party For Layla. And, because of the overwhelming response she was getting from so many wonderful, prayerful families who wanted to book a mini session, she realized she would need help from other photographers. This is why she called me. I was in 100%.
I am beyond honored and feel truly blessed that God led her to call my phone number – after all, there are tons of photographers in the Houston area… why me?! I am estatic that, in addition to the prayers I have been offering up to God for the Marsh family, that I have been asked to help a little bit more…. I am hopeful that we will have an amazing turn-out for this event!
If you are interested in helping the family of Layla Grace, please check out our Party For Layla Website and consider booking an appointment for a mini session with me (or one of the many other awesome participating photographers)! The entire session fee is being donated to the family and each 20 minute mini-session will receive one 8×10 fine art print!
Read the details HERE.
xox, Reata
