Some of you who have been hanging around here a while may remember that in late 2002, shortly before Sarah was admitted to Duke for her bone marrow transplant, we recorded a CD called, “Like A Blanket: Songs of Hope For Hurting Hearts.”
We ended up giving away over 2,000 of them to cancer families and to hospitals and sold another couple thousand.
All of the other CD’s Steve and I have recorded did not have the kids on the cover but since this was a different chapter of life, and since the inspiration for the CD was Sarah’s cancer, we decided to include the whole family.
I can’t remember if I ever posted these before but if I have, it’s been nine years. ( I had actually completely forgotten about them until I came across the photo disk while cleaning out a drawer last week.)
Some of the photos are obviously not keepers, but they’re fun to look at anyway. Since the title song was Like A Blanket, we brought in several old handmade quilts and blankets from Steve’s childhood to include in the shoot.
Not sure what Nathan and I were looking at, but Sarah was obviously deep in thought about something else altogether.
This is an awkward crop but my eyes were half closed and it looked as though I was high on some illegal substance. However, the pose of Sarah was so cute, I wanted to at least conserve that part of the picture.
The whole “lying on the blanket” vibe turned out a little less than fabulous, but it was still a fun part of the shoot.
This is not a real great representation of it, but this is what the final product looked like.
And after the CD cover shot, this is my second favorite.
Thanks for taking a little stroll down the Smithellaneous Memory Lane with me. Since Sarah will be celebrating 10 years of survival on May 17, my mind is turning more and more toward that part of our journey. These pictures remind me all over again how much we have to grateful for.
As a new friend to the Smithellaneous community, I say a special thank you for sharing this part of you and your family’s journey again. I so often wonder what it was like stepping through those days, and to see your laughter in the midst of what had to be challenging–you show me what faith looks like. To see Sarah’s smile then and now, and to see this up against Nathan’s wedding photos…
Becky, you and your family amaze and inspire me.
Christine, thank you for your sweet words; so glad I’ve gotten the chance to know you.
Love the pictures!!! I noticed the lacey socks, too. Sarah’s laugh is precious. We have the CD (several in fact) and purchased several to give away. Such a ministry. Thanks for sharing with us. Let’s have a 10-year celebration in May!!!!!
Ann, a 10-year celebration sounds great!
Like a Blanket brought comfort to me when I was diagnosed with cancer the first time 5 years ago. I, too, have been very blessed.
Jan, yes, to be a 5-year cancer survivor, you are blessed exceedingly. Glad that Like A Blanket brought you comfort in your journey.
Becky, Betty Lingle gave us a copy of the CD shortly after our Sarah died. I needed that. I am so grateful for your ministry. I would love to meet you and your family.
Rachel, nice to see Betty’s name crop up; she is a real sweetheart!
And how comforting to know that your Sarah is in the “great big house” that my Sarah sang about on the CD. I can’t imagine how much you miss her.
10 years…hard to believe. I can’t wait for her to be able to tell her story to her own husband one day!
Angela, yes, that will be quite a story to tell. And he will definitely be one extra, EXTRA thankful husband.
I have that CD – I love that CD – I have worn out one and am on my second – when my mother was dying, it gave me great comfort and I played it for her as my sister and I sat at her bedside and we could immediately see her anxious anticipation of reaching Heaven subside to a calm and peaceful journey. Thank you, Becky and Steve and Nathan and Sarah – it is beautiful. I love all the photos – especially the ones with Snowy. How is Snowy?
Mary, so very happy to know that special CD has brought comfort to your life and that it also comforted your sweet mom.
Snowy is doing very, very well–if I didn’t know he was 12 years old, I would think he was a puppy! (Well, except for his cataracts and hearing loss but hey, getting older comes with some side effects.) All in all, he is one very happy and healthy dog. (And he says to tell everyone hello.)
Seeing these photos made me weep! True beauty shines in you all! Thanks for sharing.
Liz, thank you for your sweet words.
Beautiful photos of a truly beautiful family!
When a close uncle was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer last May 31, I gave your “Like a Blanket” CD to him. He passed away last week- I am thankful for your ministry and that it brought him some comfort and encouragement.
Jenna, I’m sorry to hear your uncle passed away; I remember when you told me about his diagnosis. Sending extra prayers of peace and comfort to you and your family in the coming days.
Thanks for sharing the pictures from the photo shoot for the CD cover. As you know, this CD brought my Mom & me comfort during our many stays at the hospital. This CD will always be very special to me and I still play it often. God bless you all!! Norma
Norma, how great to hear from you in the new Smithellaneous “home.”
Your mom was such a sweet, sweet woman; I will never forget her smile and her wry sense of humor. Isn’t it amazing how music can bring such calm and peace to a situation? Thankful for music and thankful for your mom’s life.
I love the frilly girl socks with the blue jeans! A touch of feminine among all the practical. So Sarah!
How wonderful that you have always loved taking photos (even though you clearly did not take these, unless you used a timer) and having photos taken so that you could record such an important and tentative time in Sarah’s life and journey with cancer. How tenderly you must peruse those photos, filled with emotions mixed with love, laughter and a bittersweet memory of faith mixed with fear. It warms my heart to know that what was such a precarious time in your lives has been replaced with sheer joy…for the outcome…for the renewed body…for the continued life of this precious child who is now a young lady. She is amazing, Becky. She is so much more than just a survivor. She is a thrivor, someone who takes what life has to offer both good and bad and who maximizes the opportunities while navigating the challenges. That is a gift that only God and great parenting can give!
Congratulations, Smith family. Your lives have so much purpose, not the least of which is to remind us how God’s children can walk through the fire and emerge smelling only of His special elixir called “Grace.” The flames came close…but HE drew closer…like a blanket of protection and love.
Well, Sue, I feel sort of intimidated responding to your comments because I can’t quite match that special Sue Style of writing you have. Your words are always treasured and appreciated so very much.
It’s funny you mentioned Sarah’s frilly socks; I had forgotten all about those socks but smiled this morning when I noticed them while posting the pictures. Ruffles and jeans? Bring it on!
That’s why I write, Becky. . . to intimidate other writers. You found out my secret and published it for all to see.
I just write from my heart. Don’t give it much thought. Just let it flow. That’s why I’m sure there are many errors in spelling and typos for all to see. But I feel it is important to communicate with some people, especially you, because words are a wonderful way to chronicle life…just like photos.
keep writing. Keep taking photos. Keep touching hearts. Keep sharing God. Keep raising amazing children who are empowered by a truth that will light up this world. just keep…on…keeping…on.
And when will those photos appear on cards for us to send to people we care about? (And if you think I’m so good with words, maybe we could collaborate!) Truly, I am sure you would sell out in no time.
(You know how I hounded you about writing until you expanded your audience and your scope? Well, greeting cards…the way of your future. Really. I won’t give up.)
Sue, actually, your hounding is paying off; I should have cards available in the next two week! Yay!
Great news. Perhaps you will share in an email your source so that I might get into the greeting card biz myself…without photos, of course. No competition here as I don’t take them!
Becky,
Precious, precious pictures and a reminder of what a miracle Sarah truly is. May we be celebrating her survival for many, many, many more years.
God Bless
Gail
Gail, yes, celebrating Sarah’s survival is one of my favorite things to do!!
Becky, I love the pictures, I’m sitting here at my desk at work (oops, don’t tell anyone I’m not working), and smiling away. I love the laying on the blanket pictures, looks like you had such a great time doing the photo shoots. You can sure see all the love you have for each other in these pictures. What a wonderful family you have. Even though we know how sick sarah was at that time, her smiles are a testament to the wonderful love and care she received from her family.
Nancy, I see that I am not the only one who is sitting at her desk and looking at pictures, (oops, don’t tell anybody about me either)
Gail
Gail, your secret is safe with me 🙂
Nancy and Gail, my lips are sealed!