{laughter, tears & a request for a prayer} | a personal note from rupa

I have started and deleted this passage about a million times because I really am struggling with the fact that I want to make you laugh but this week, at least for me, has been (unfortunately) pained with tears also so I am asking for good thoughts and prayer as we start the New Year.  So, that is where the title of this Blog started but before I tell you the story of laughter and the story of tears, first and foremost -- I want to thank all of you -- my wonderful clients -- who have supported me in great numbers this year & for the laughter you have given me with notes and emails and just plain kindness and joy! 

I love showing up to see you and I get a HUG and sometimes a drink and ALWAYS a great chat!  I have loved all the new fur-babies that have entered my life and their parents who have worked so hard during sessions and from whom I have received amazing notes of how much they love their photos and 'thank you for being so patient' and, 'I really didn't think you'd get a picture of him/her -- thank you!" 

Of course, all the little ones whom I have seen grow up this year -- amazing to do the newborn shoot and before you know it, they are walking!  Thank you all for letting me be a part of your special moments in your lives - it means more to me than you know!  I wish all of you a wonderful New Year -- with more memories and laughter than ever before!

My stories -- laughter first -- might want to grab a coffee -- this is a long post! :  )

So now I want to share with you a story of laughter that happened just before Christmas when we were at the tree farm we go to every year.  I sent this as an email to some very close friends and family but I thought it would be fun to share with you all as well - here was the email I sent -- the subject was "neil is in the ajc & our annual holiday tradition" --

We went to do our annual tradition yesterday -- get a tree at the farm we have gone to forever!  A gal from the AJC was there and she took a few photos and a few notes and I wasn't expecting it to be there, but it is (and probably on paper, it is teeny tiny!)....

It goes likes this -- we drive down while the entire time Colin shows us every other tree joint on the corner where we COULD have gotten the tree, once we get there, we inevitably complain how freakin' cold it is ...wander around one field, sometimes into another just because, have Colin stand next to each tree to compare height, Colin complains and tells us we need to get a smaller tree than the year before, we then keep looking for another half hour telling each other how cold it is, Neil takes the saw and tries to pretend kill his sister and the dog with it, I insist the trees are all about 6 feet tall, Colin tells us to hurry our asses up some more, and then we end up at the tree we first saw which is usually about 9 feet tall (the first year I think it was actually 12 feet!!!), and then Neil chops the tree down - or at least he does now -- he was initiated about 3 years ago and chopped his first tree (yay!) after much sweat and hard work -- now of course, he breezes right through it!  We always try & get Shivani to carry the tree with her brother, but she does it for about 2 seconds and drops it and then we wander through the gift section of the tree farm and giggle at the "countrified" gifties, one of which Colin bought me last year (a snowman gourd ornament) which did not get a good reception (by me -- although I looked at it in a better light last night and it was actually kinda' cute).  We thenwrap up and head home to decorate and play "Christmas in Hollis" and a lot of other funky Christmas music while we decorate, dance and of course, argue about how the lights should go on the tree! 

It sounds a bit crazy, and it is, but definitely fun & silly and this year, I took photos (for our very late holiday card) and they will be on the Blog on Christmas Eve New Year's Eve so you can follow our crazy, but fun, annual tradition.  Anyway, a long story for one photograph -- but I thought you guys would appreciate it 'cause you know us and how we "operate"!! :  )

Click on the arrows to see the photos in the AJC -- Colin is hiding in the back of course so it makes Neil look like he's carrying this huge tree by himself! ha ha! 
http://projects.accessatlanta.com/gallery/view/atlanta-holiday-guide/events/christmas-trees-1220/

Here are some photos that I took the day we went --

I'll keep my story of tears short because I don't think I can hold back my own as I write this post tonight and I am sure that this is the longest post I have EVER written!  But I need to share what is going on as I am sure it will be impacting my every day for the next several months.  I think it might impact my business to some degree and so if I feel like I am "far away" or maybe can't back to you right away or have to do a meeting/order over the phone, you will understand why.

We were at the annual visit to our vet today and at the end of the visit, our doctor at Village Vets comes out and says he has bad news -- that my little Bella is heartworm positive.  I felt sick to my stomach and wasn't sure if it was bad as in 'incurable' bad or what it was.  He explained to me that when we adopted her, she had been tested but that it was probably in an initial stage where it shows up negative.  Today, however, that was not the case.  I just felt sick and dizzy and helpless.

So, I immediately called a gal I admire so much -- Bonnie of ABTR -- who fosters and adopts and loves Bostons and has seen this many times before so I knew she'd give me the courage I needed to focus and be strong.  And she did -- thank you Bonnie, you are amazing!  Basically, Bella will start treatment next week and it is an agressive treatment, however, can be dangerous in between and Bella will need to be kept "calm and peaceful" -- basically on bed rest for 3 months!  She is to be in a crate and can't be walked very much (except for her 'business") and can't get excited because it can be dangerous for her.  I know I am speaking in simple terms because in all honesty, I still can't digest all of this and feel like I am in a bad, bad dream and it will all go away tomorrow!  I know this isn't true but I can hope.

For those who know me, know that I have been famous for saying things  like 'Bella is the love of my life!' and 'I haven't loved anyone as much as I love you Bella-Lu!"  And yes, i have asked my husband and kids to forgive me for this but they know we are inseparable and I think I have been forgiven! :  )

Anyway, I don't feel strong or courageous yet but I am trying.  I do think this is a sign for us to take a step back and calm our lives down for the sake of a little baby that we love and adore (and yes, my husband feels the same way I do about this little one!) so I am making a shift to many aspects of my life and business and I think it will be for the best.  Colin is being my rock and reminded me of when Blondie, our gorgeous white lab got diabetes  and then cancer-- we took care of her and "just did it" and we were strong and the love we have for these babies is the powerful part/secret of it all!

I have never asked for prayers and good thoughts publicly -- not my style or so I thought -- but here I am -- asking all of you to just put out good energy & love to my Bella Lu -- I do believe in the power it brings and I thank you for it.  I do think that the wonderful people I have met this past year has also happened for a reason and I know that we will get the support and love and prayers we need to be strong.

If any of you have been through this before -- since I know many of you are active with adopting and rescuing fur-babies -- I would love to hear any advice and thoughts from you!

Anyway, this is probably the longest ever post, EVER that I have done!  But please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for your patience and understanding and thank you for your support!

xoxo

Rupa

Here's a pic of Bella & Mandi -- looking up straight the camera because I had a cheerio in the other hand!! You gotta' love it!

Comments

[Crawford]

Rupa,
So sorry to hear about wee "Lugosi". As the other posts have said it's curable, although that is scant consolation to you at the moment when it is all very new, raw and of course worrying.

You did a terrific job with Blondie and she was such a loved dawg, as I'm sure Bella is, so draw strength from those around you and I will of course pray for Bella and also for you that you find the strength to cope.

Crawford x

[Jennifer Georgino]

Be grateful! At least it is curable! What great fur-baby photos you take!
When my fur-daughter had cancer, I paid for reiki for her and other soothing treatments that I believe helped, tho she never told me. If she has to be confined, my advice is for all of you in the family to give her tons of extra attention, so she does not think she is being punished.
You and she will be fine...and you will learn from her a great deal.

[Diana, Bradley, Knox, Arlo & Coco]

Hang in there. Bradley and I both worked at a vet during college and it's totally treatable. We'll be sending positive thoughts and energy to Bella.

[Jen]

Not to worry. Heart Worms is very, very curable! I rescue dogs and we have a lot that come in with Heart worms. Dr. Will and Dr. Fran at the Village Vets are the absolute best around. They will take care of her!

Good luck and Happy New Year...we will send a prayer for her.

Jen, Robert, Marley and Luca