cancer.

Cancer.

Cancer in some way has affected most people. It has affected my family. I don’t share a lot of fundraisers on my blog, but every now I do. Today is one of those days.

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THE HOUSE OF KOOP

Once there was a GIRL. With a blog. You know the kind.

The kind with pretty pictures and pretty words. The kind that you

put on your RSS feed so you don’t miss out on the next post.

The kind that lets you into her world and sucks you in so far you feel like you know her. Yes, you know her.

You know her because she’s in every one of us.

She’s your mother and sister. She’s your silver and gold.

She’s the loyal wife, the doting mama, and on her lucky days, she’s an artist.

Capturing details, memories and moments to be treasured. She’s a fellow photographer.

Well today, this girl is none of these things. Today she is a widow.

Today she pulls her hair back into that familiar ponytail, fingers wrapped around

that ever present cup of coffee, and stares in the direction of

where he used to sit. Where he used to sit, all day, every day,

fighting a losing battle called cancer.

Yes, you know her, even if you don’t really know her.

Her name is Valerie Koop.

http://www.beinthemomentphoto.com/blog

And she c0uld be any of us.

This is not a story of pity, but a story of courage and strength.

A story of friendship and community that binds us all.

So many amazing souls wanting to reach out, but not knowing how.

Well, here’s how.

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Valerie Koop is a fellow photographer and blogger. Her blog is a beautifully woven story of life….even when cancer is a part of it. Early this month her husband, the father of her two small children, passed away after a long battle with cancer. Numerous photographers, crafters, bloggers are joining with Matlida Jane to do an auction in her benefit. The auction is full of all kinds of really great items….tons of fun stuff! You can visit Valerie’s blog here and the auction here.

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“Don’t waste your cancer…or your life” is a blog written by Libby Ryder…who is now cancer free. Her blog chronicles her journey and celebrates life.  Her friends are rallying alongside her to raise money for her medical bills by running the Music City Hall half-marathon. You can find out information on her team and a video created by her friends  here. Even if you are unable to support her team, take a break to sit and pour through her blog. You’ll leave inspired.

*I did not write “The House of Koop” story.