12/8/19 - Today I spent most of my time as a volunteer photographer for the Help Portrait event at the Neidhammer building in downtown Indy. This event provides family portraits for some of Indy's less fortunate community members. Although this was not my first time participating in an event like this, the joy and sense of community worth that comes with this experience cannot be put into words.
So what is it like to be a cheerful giver?
Well, there is nothing like cultivating the flame of a mother’s love as she is handed a family portrait. As I sit back and watch her reaction, the experience is almost always the same. The look on her face speaks to a lifetime of memories racing through her mind. Wondering where the time has gone and “how did they grow up so fast?” A few seconds of critique is followed by a prideful smile as she kisses and hugs each child. Even the dads share in the glow with proud thoughts of being a steward over God’s most precious gift, the gift of family.
Sometimes it’s watching that person who never had a headshot start the session with a reluctant facial expression and a shy body posture. A few minutes later the session ends with the same person confident, embolden, leaving with a renewed self-interest that had been untapped until now. Not to mention they leave the event with a personal photographic reminder of the courage and strength to mount any obstacle is truly within them. As I stated earlier, words cannot explain the joy you experience and give to others by participating in this event.
For those of you who have taken the time to read about my experience hopefully that tug at your heart will inspire you to give more of yourself this holiday season. Money is always appreciated and needed for events like Help Portrait, however; I challenge each of you to share your personal gift with someone you never knew and make a personal connection. At the end of the day that's what makes us human and that is what makes you a cheerful giver..
Have a blessed and safe holiday season!
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