My Heart is Breaking for Japan
March 18, 2011

A few years ago, I went to Japan to visit my friend Alice and her husband Sean. They had been living in the greater Tokyo area for a number of years. I was smitten from the start with this beautiful country. The people, while soft spoken reminded me very much of the Southerners I grew up around. They are hardworking, kind, gentle and fiercely loyal. I marveled at how just like Southerners they welcomed Alice and Sean into their hearts and lives. That welcome extended to me, as families welcomed me into their hearts and homes. All were eager to share a good meal, and wonderful conversation. While I was completely on the other side of the globe, these families made me feel right at home. The Watanabe's (I hope I spelled that right) invited us to dinner and prepared a wonderful meal, and another evening we ate a fantastic multi-course meal out with a former University of Southern Mississippi English Language Student, Eriko. Eriko had often been over to the house where Alice and I lived after college. I had the opportunity to meet Kazu, a wrestler and see a wrestling match. I spent time with a lovely girl named Midori and met many other wonderful people.

Al's adoptive family, so sorry their names escape me.... preparing tempura at Alice's house for me.

I say this because, as I was traveling last week I was away from the internet and cable for a few days. The only news I had was through my twitter and FB via my phone. I was shocked and saddened as I began to read of the devastation that struck the people of Japan. Having seen more than my share of Hurricanes hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I am well aware of what nature can do. I am also well aware of the resilience of the human spirit.

Now back at home, I have watched the news, read the links on FB and twitter, and wept. The suffering in Japan is not nameless and faceless to me. While most of the people I met were in the Tokyo area, they provide a very real picture of the kind of people affected by this disaster. I remember watching helplessly as Katrina destroyed the homes and possessions of those I loved. I lost my childhood home and our family fishing camp to the storm. I went to Bay St. Louis, in December LONG after the storm and our neighborhood still had boats in trees and only three houses left. There was one post left from our home, and our property was littered with the personal belongings of others. So when I see the news casts about Japan, my heart is broken.

Some of the ladies and a gentleman Al taught English to.




I want to do something, no, I NEED to do something. I am a mom, a wife and a photographer, what can I do? Well, I am doing what I know I can. Since my travel plans changed and I thought I would be out of town this weekend and part of next weekend, I had no sessions booked. Let's take some photos! If you have time last minute, so do I!

For the LOVE of Japan Mini Sessions.

Book a mini session with me for this weekend or next, and the ENTIRE session fee of 35 dollars will be given to either The Red Cross or Save the Children for help with Japan.

For $35 you get:
- 30 minute session for a family of up to 5 (contact me if your family is larger)
- at least 10 fully edited images to choose from
- a free 8x10 art print of your choice

For my Mississippi Fans... you can book this as well, your session will just take place during my next trip to MS some time in May/June.

Let's do something to help those in need! Click on the Contact Me above or message me on facebook to schedule your session today.