WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO DO THIS PROJECT? I have always loved photography and I like having visual memories.

WHAT ONE WORD DESCRIBES YOU BEST. Firecracker.

IF YOU WERE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? Parrot (bright and free).

IF YOUR PARENT WERE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD HE/SHE BE? Father bear (protective, brave and noble).

IF YOU WERE MAROONED ON AN ISLAND, WHAT THREE THINGS WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU? Boat, wood, strong glue.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO FIND OUT ABOUT YOU? When I was a baby, I was on an airplane and we started falling, no warning. They just dropped us but we got back on track.

WHAT IS MOST "SPECIAL" TO YOU ABOUT YOUR PARENT? My dad is always there when I fall down. He is there to pick me up. And when this "distraction" came I took a hard fall.

IN WHAT WAY HAS HAVING A PARENT WITH CANCER CHANGED YOUR LIFE? It showed me we only have so many days. And to stop dreaming about the future or spending time in the past. Life is about the moment you are in not the one a few days ago... but this one right now. Live it!!





DESCRIBE SOMETHING THAT YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOUR CHILD WHILE YOUR PORTRAIT WAS BEING TAKEN AND WHAT IT MEANT TO YOU TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED BY HIM/HER.
My daughter has blossomed into and matured into a beautiful young lady as she was taking my portrait. I could not believe what was standing behind the camera: A lady full of potential and a priceless smile. It was nice to see the joy she had while taking my pictures.

She was very focused on making sure that she captured what she felt about me in her heart. To me it was an overwhelming experience that happens once in a lifetime. That's when I realized she's not just my little girl anymore. She has become my young lady over a flash!

WHAT IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT LEARNING EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE SHARED WITH YOUR CHILD SINCE BEING DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER?
Since before Chelsey and I were married, god has always been the most important focus in our lives. When I was diagnosed with cancer, I blamed God and asked why, why me?! Unfortunately, Alicia felt the same way. Why? Why my daddy? There is always a reason that God allows tragedies, even cancer, to happen. We just don't always know what the reason is and explaining such a tragedy and why God allows things to happen like this is not easy, especially with children.

Alicia and I today believe that God's intentions are always for the best even though sad and heartbreaking things happen. Alicia is grateful to God for all the good that happens in our lives. We are working/learning together and leaning on our faith in God. We are watching him take a bad situation and turn it into a blessing.

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