I have been lucky enough to be able to volunteer my time now twice with the good people at the Ronald McDonald House of Spokane and photograph some of the families that have been staying there. I hope that no one has to face having an ill child but I am happy to know there are places like this for families to alleviate some of their worry and stress at such a difficult time.
The purpose of this shoot was to feature Noah, his mom, and their family and also photograph a few of the 22 (yes, 22, and there is a long waiting list on top of that!) families that are staying at the House. In my short time that I spent with Noah I saw how he is such a great big brother not only to his little sister but to all of the kids staying at the house- always helping and always with a kind smile on his face. I also saw the happiness in Agnes' face, Noah's mom, to simply see her child play and laugh in the sun on a late-winter afternoon.
Having a child myself, I have realized there is a truly animalistic nature that becomes a part of you the moment your baby enters the world and gives you the new title of their mom. I know there is absolutely nothing that I wouldn't do or let stand in my way to protect my daughter. There are true stories of mothers lifting cars or overcoming extraordinary measures to save their child because the power of motherhood is a fierce kind of love. You can see exactly that it in the eyes of Agnes and the other mothers at the Ronald McDonald House.
