It’s been a journey eighteen years long.
It’s been an especially precious journey because cancer made its appearance along the way and tried to convince us we weren’t going to be able to see the journey to completion.
It tried to tell us we would never see our sweet Sarah grow up.
It tried to tell us we would certainly never see her graduate.
But cancer doesn’t always have the last word or the last laugh.
I don’t know about you, but that photo pretty much takes my breath away. It’s a photo I never dreamed I would see all those years ago.
It’s a picture of hope and joy and perseverance and inner beauty that can’t help but spill out
And just because I never tire of seeing the milestones along her journey, here a few photos that brought Sarah to where she is today.
Love this girl.
Congratulations to Sarah, you and Steve on this incredible milestone. Thanks for sharing all those photos, especially the one of “little Sarah” in the purple dress! My favorite photo was the last one, where she is wearing a scarf and blue jeans – because in that photo is a grown-up young lady, and through those eyes you can see her angelic soul. Joyfullness!!! 🙂 Fred & Lucy
I can’t even explain my joy as I see your Sarah thrive and shine as she reaches this amazing and miraculous milestone in her precious life. I have followed your story since 2003ish. As you may remember our Sarah went Home after a hellish battle with NB on April 1, 2000. My Sarah won her battle in Heaven and I am so thankful that your Sarah has won on this side. I continue to pray for your family and Sarah’s continued health. I am so proud of her and all she has accomplished. Be blessed because you both are a blessing to me and countless others.
Lisa,
As always, your gracious way of celebrating Sarah’s milestones with us humbles me and touches my heart. Thank you for your words and yes, your Sarah most certainly did win her battle. She was the bravest fighter.
That picture literally took my breath away. A stunning beauty – inside and out. You can see the grace and peace in it. What a beautiful moment.
There seems to be something in my eye, let me go wipe away the tears.
Her grad picture is absolutely stunningly beautiful. Then again, how could it not be as it is a picture of Sarah.
This is like one of the best blog posts ever!! What a beauty.
Thanks to your post, I am starting my day with a big smile on my face! Sarah is beautiful 🙂
Hey Becky~ I’ve been wanting to comment on so many of your recent posts but I’m recovering from major surgery (I was in the hospital for quite a while) and have limited myself to time on the computer. I’m just too tired and miserable to tinker. Sarah’s Senior picture is beautiful. I can’t believe how quickly she’s grown up. It just doesn’t seem possible that she’s 18. In fact, I’m positive someone made a mistake in their mathematical calculations and that she’s really only 12. Sarah is truly a blessing. A blessing to not only her family and friends but to all of us who’ve been given the privilege of watching her grow up. The side by side pictures of Sarah; one during treatment and one now are both gorgeous in their own way. When is graduation? From what you’ve said it sounds as though she’ll be graduating with HIGH HONORS? Will anyone in the family be traveling out to the OB to partake in the ceremony? If anyone should make it out, Noah should be the one. You’ve mentioned he’s advanced for his age so maybe he’d pass for nine or ten and he definitely could travel alone; he just needs to flash that gummy grin. He’s beautiful and could definitely have a career as a “Tie Model!” Take care, Smith Family! Love, Jodi
Oh my goodness. She.Is.Beautiful. Inside and out….simply stunning!
That’s a lovely photo. Sarah is beautiful and looking so grown up
so, when all of BEAUTIFUL Sarah’s fans hop on a plane for her graduation, will you be putting us up at your house?
What a very Fair Lady! 🙂
Truly an answer to our prayers. Dickie H.
Thanks so much to ALL of you for your sweet, sweet words; some of them brought tears to my eyes. The Smithellaneous family is the best!
Since our family is working long, long days in preparation for our annual (big) Easter production, I won’t be able to respond to each comment on this post. However, I did want to mention that Sarah’s graduation date is June 14, for those of you who asked. If all of you would just like to hop on a plane and show up for the graduation–well, we wouldn’t mind one little bit! 🙂
Many of you have been with us a long, long time. Thank you for being a part of our story.
Beautiful. Long way from the young girl we met at Duke. God has been so good. Graduation details!!!!
Sara’s senior picture is absolutely stunning!
I can’t believe that Sarah is graduating from high school this year! 🙂 I have been following the Smiths since 2006! Congratulations, Sarah! 🙂
Wow, what a wonderful picture of Sarah! She looks so grown up and fabulous!
Simply beautiful!
I had such a nice post begun and then I LOST IT…BUMMER…
Any way I love you lots and lots. So happy TO SEE YOU are graduating… Love,
FRAN
Wow! amazing and beautiful!! I am so happy she is doing so well and will soon be graduating!
Breathtaking.
She is such an awesome girl! I feel so blessed to have all of you in my life!!
Oh Sarah what a fabulous picture. You really take my breath away!
So incredibly awesome…. YAYYYYYY, Sarah!!
When’s the official graduation date down there, and what are we at Smithellaneous doing to make it an extra-special graduation for Princess Groovy Chick?!
Beautiful!
I think the very last photo is my favorite. What a beautiful, miraculous young woman! Becky and Steve, you must be so proud.
Sarah you are amazing!!
Amazing. 🙂
Beautiful pictures. Congrats Sarah for your trust in The Lord. Know He will continue to lead and guide you I whatever He has for you as a vocation. Becky I can understand your feelings as you see your daughter’s pictures through the years.
Love the picture journey! Sarah is a beautiful girl, inside and out.
Oh, my goodness! I have goosebumps looking at Sarah’s senior picture. Makes me want to say a big fat, TAKE THAT CANCER!!!!!!!!!
love love love THIS PHOTO!
A beautiful photo of a beautiful person…Sarah is a beautiful person on the outside, but more importantly she is even more beautiful on the inside! Congratulations on your graduation, Sarah! You are a very special young woman, and I am sure the Lord has very special plans for you indeed! God Bless all of you!
Linda in Pittsburgh
Oh my goodness Becky … absolutely beautiful doesn’t seem like enough words to describe Sarah and her senior picture. I bet you have cried many a tear just looking at the picture. I certainly have cold chills. So very thankful that she won her battle!
What a gorgeous graduation photo of Sarah. I am so happy that despite all odds Sarah is alive, healthy, graduating, and thriving. She has a bright wonderful future ahead of her and it must make your mother heart so glad and want to sing with joy.
Wow! This photo takes my breath away. Sarah is absolutely gorgeous! We already knew that though. 🙂 I, too, wondered if she would survive to see this milestone and am so beyond happy that she has. Praying that her miraculous journey continues for many, many, MANY more years to come!!
Sarah is so beautiful in this picture (of course she is beautiful in all her pictures). When I first “met” you and Sarah, she was very sick and like some of the others, I too wondered if we would ever see this day. God has plenty of things for sweet Sarah to accomplish and I for one am so happy that she will go on to fulfill all of them. God bless you sweet Sarah for your faith on this difficult journey and know how blessed you are to have the wonderful parents and brother who have seen you through your worst times and now are rejoicing with you! This post moved me to tears of joy! Looking forward to seeing all the wonderful things to come your way.
Stunningly beautiful! I have to say when I first started following “The Smith’s”, Sarah was probably at her sickest and a call for prayers had gone out. I remember thinking, “I don’t know how this family has such trust and faith that God will see them through this.” I am so happy for all of you that your faith was not misplaced. I have learned a lot about faith, trust, and family love from following your family all these years. You have certainly made an impact on my own journey with God. I look forward to hearing about all the future Smith adventures. Congratulations Sarah!
Sarah is absolutely stunning. Completely took my breath away. I am so excited and happy for all of you, for so many reasons. She is a miracle. God has a very special plan for this beautiful woman.
Sarah graduation picture is beautiful! So awesome she’s graduating in a couple of months.