{Balloons to Heaven}

Let me start by going back to this time last year.  I am a part of an organization called The Tiny Sparrow Foundation.  With this foundation, I volunteer my photography services to a family that is going through the unthinkable, a family that will possibly lose their child.  I received an email that I was matched. When I spoke to the mother, she wasn’t quite ready to let me in because her son, Connor, was not doing well, ultimately, she decided against the pictures and I let her know that I would be here anytime she wanted pictures of just about anything! It turns out she lives close by, we had mutual friends and we kept in close contact.  Then the unthinkable happened and her, her husband, and her little girl (Connor’s twin sister).  Connor passed away this past summer of cancer #kidsgetcancertoo #supercon.  My door was always open and she knew that.  When she contacted me to do an incredibly special balloon session with Claire I was beyond thrilled.  Claire sends balloons up to heaven to her twin brother Connor and she truly connects with this idea which is incredible.  Her mom and dad came with balloons and they all sent them up there, just letting him know they are thinking about him and we all certainly know he is with them in spirit.  Please check out her blog for her family’s journey.  This is one of the strongest families I have ever met, I loved to see them smile and capture this time in their lives, focusing on the good, the happy memories and the love and incredible bond they have with each other.  To many years of health and happiness to this sweet family.

If you are interested in helping saves lives of other children with brain cancer and helping to prevent this from happening to other children, please consider donating to CBTFf.com, The Children’s Brain Tumor Family Foundation, in Connor’s name.  What a wonderful thing you can do for the holiday’s, my family will certainly be making a donation!

 

xoxo

Ilyssa

Here are some of my favorites from the session, as you can see, this is one HAPPY little girl, which just shows how amazing her parents are to work hard to keep this smile on her face.  May she always remember her twin brother’s love, laughter and smiles too.

 

{A Day in the Life} by Ilyssa Maisano

Last year I did the 365 Project where I took one picture each day for the entire year, I’m not going to lie, that was tough.  There were definitely one or two (or four..) days missed, but overall I completed it and was proud at the end. I now have so much to show for it and love what I captured for our family.  I chose not to do it this year but I realize now I’m hardly taking any pictures of my own family as I’m so busy taking pictures of other families. So today I decided to do my life in pictures. Just a regular day, with the messiness, chaos, busy jumping from place to place, all day every day. I woke up to two crazy kids playing together (laughter), we ate breakfast, baby woke up, kids were off to school and I got to spend some alone time with baby and do yoga (which was much needed after a very eventful weekend). Then I surprised the kids by picking them up from school and taking them to the park to have a playdate. We all got to go pick up Paisley from school and that little smile says it all, she loves it! Then we ate dinner where literally no one sits in their seat…welcoming daddy home is always the best part of the night! Then we hang out as a family and do our bedtime routines. I’m so thankful for my every day.  Although the days might be long at times, the years go by so fast and I’m happy to be able to capture this special time for our family.

Enjoy!

  

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