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This blog is now located at http://blog.soulumination.org/.
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Last night was our annual photographers meeting and I had the help of new board member, Angie who is the Soul mom of our dear friend Charlotte( pictured above). Sarah, Kari and board president Matt were all ill and so I punted with the emotional sisterhood of Angie and I at the helm. It was a powerful event as we were joined by my dear friend and Soul mentor, Julie, who is a child-life specialist at Seattle Children's. Julie is an incredibly kind and caring person who gave us words of encouragement and wisdom to help us move forward in our work.

I am so proud and so grateful that we are blessed to have such remarkable photographic talent working with Soulumination. I was most touched by the fact that many of our photographers shared their personal loss in our time of introduction. These individuals help ground us and guide us. To become friends and co-volunteers with those who have suffered such personal pain and come through to help others is a true gift. One of our photographers and his wife was moving from our event to a prayer vigil for the latest earthquake victims. We are definitely led to become more evolved and caring photographers as we connect with our peers.

Doug and I had a most delightful evening tonight with good friends and supporters, Steve, Becky and their lovely 3-year old daughter. The joy of a little one at our feet, the caring and kind encouragement of our friends gives much cause for thanks. The work of Soul is the work of many.

Days ago I got to meet the new baby brother of our Soul friend and angel, Jenny. What a thrill to be with Jenny's parents and share the delight and joy that her new brother is adding to this crazy world. I only hope that I get to have time with Jenny's sister Stephanie soon as she has become a friend of mine and a supporter of the work of Soul. Stephanie is now in college but I am hopeful that she will find time to come visit soon.

Its time for me to hit that bike even though I am tired after a fun day with my beloved sister in law Sally who is one of the original Soul moms. Sally sweetly drove me to Vancouver and back so I could buy more grommets for my luminaria project. It was a great day of escape and I am most thankful to have had time with Sally. I am working on a new recycled metal project for the artist sale so I truly need those aluminum drink cans---I would love to have your empty and non-flattened Squirt, Fanta, Hanson's, Arizona Ice Tea, Peace Tea, V-8, Hawaiian Sodas, Blue Sky, IPA and other interesting beer cans, and any soda or beer cans with fruit logos or animal logos or fun and interesting graphics----you can drop them by at the Ballard studio and if I am not here its fine to drop them inside the metal gate. I am also interested in having your beer or soda bottle tops to use in my current metal-obsessed projects.

I send my love to both of my daughters as they travel these next days. Delighted to report that Claire would still like your prayers but she is doing so much better, hooray! To all my thoughts of love and peace, Lynette

With spring settling into the northwest its coming time for weddings, including our nephew Bennett and his lovely fiance, Kelsey. The wedding part of my business of course brings many fun and happy moments to capture. While chatting with Ben and Kelsey at Easter about the plans for their wedding photots, Bennett told me about how photos that were taken of a stillborn child had been a source of comfort for one of his co-workers at Seattle Children's. It made me thankful to the photographer who had worked with this family while I was shooting a wedding. Bennett pointed out that it doesn't take much to find someone you know who has benefited from the work of our little non-profit. I am so thankful to all who have supported us to make this happen, our photographers so very generous with their time and talent.

A little update on our pal Claire who is still in hospital but is no longer in ICU. Your love and prayers so appreciated by her family. Claire's mom Deb wrote a most heartfelt thank you today for all of the caring people who have helped them find a way through this very rough time.

My friends will be gathering in Florida soon at the NTSAD family conference. I will be sorry not to be part of it all this year, but Sarah Mattingly and I hope to be with them in Boston in 2011. Elliott and her family will be off to meet all the wonderful families and it will be grand for them to attend all the educational and supportive programs.


Doug, Lew and I had a surprise visit from Doug's bowling buddy, Sarah and her mom. It was delightful to have time with them. Sarah's now a teen and is such fun to watch her grow and mature.

As always lots happening so off to the days chores. Oh but keep me in mind as the drop off place for aluminum drink cans---looking for empty Arizona Ice Tea, Peace Tea, V8, Hanson's, Squirt, or any especially colorful or fun graphics on empty (not crushed) cans. I am working away on the luminarias and other products for the Soul Artist Sale and have luminarias for sale here at the studio in Ballard and of course will give the usual 25% to Soul on all purchases. In love and peace, Lynette

My dear friend Claire is fighting the hard fight once again. Please keep her family in your hearts and prayers. She is one little spunky trooper but many things are challenging her body at the present time.

I had the most wonderful time yesterday out in the Snoqualmie area at Elliott's Life Celebration. There were pony rides, cotton candy, face painting, a most amusing puppet show, nice food, and over 150 guests all coming together to support and celebrate the life of Elliott as she lives with Tay Sachs. There was a touching slide show and I had to slip away at that point as the emotions welled up as they started showing her Soulumination photos. I don't mind a good cry but it had been such a sweet day that I thought I might leave on a high note. As I tried to leave unnoticed I was very touched that Elliott's dad came out to my car to give me a big hug---Elliott is one lucky little girl to have the parents that she needs and they are blessed by the love that surrounds them as they face such a difficult diagnosis. I was truly warmed by all the effort that their friends and community put into the day to really honor and celebrate this beautiful child. As Loren shared his thoughts about parenting a child with Tay Sachs, I was moved by his wisdom and grace, by the fact that he embraces all that he is learning and that he is so devoted to being all he can be for Elliott while she is living on this earth.

I am very thankful that Elliott, her delightful sister and parents will be traveling to Florida next month to be part of the NTSAD family conference. The idea of them meeting my friends at the conference is a real meaningful thing for me and I know they will continue to feel the love that comes with the Tay Sachs community. I am posting a few photos to share the day.


As I drove home from North Bend yesterday I was enjoying A Prairie Home Companion that was being broadcast from the Paramount here in Seattle. I know they are doing another show in a few days and thought, 'I bet I will see Garrison Keillor sometime while he is in town' and sure enough a few hours later when Doug and I were walking back to our car after dinner there he was walking toward me. It was nice to thank him as we passed for the lovely show that helped cheer me as I left the loving hugs of Elliott's dad and their friend who put on the special event. In love and peace, Lynette

Its been a busy week here in Ballard with shoots for my business and 2 shoots for Soul at Children's that I did yesterday and today, plus Susan will be shooting tomorrow. Cami, Bryan and Dawn have all had shoots this week also.

Tomorrow we welcome our friend and mentor Mark Power who will lead a group of Soul photographers through meditation, journaling and poetry in dealing with grief and loss. It will be a welcome study for me as my heart feels the loss of this past week. Our young friend Brandon, pictured here today, that we met at Camp Agape passed away and we send our deepest sympathy to his family and friends. The tiny one that I met at Children's today will be in my heart as this beautiful angel baby was obviously so loved. The charming baby boy from yesterday is facing some experimental treatment and his wonderful parents will be by his side, I hope to get to do update photos for him as he moves through his stay here in Seattle.

I am sharing photos with you of a newly released Tay Sachs child in Connecticut. Her parents had contacted us and Sarah worked to find them a photographer in their home state and these lovely shots are the results of that effort. We are so thankful that people will step forward as needed to lend a hand.


Now the rain returns, I have to say that I loved the sunshine of yesterday and hope for that this weekend as I will be attending a party honoring our little friend Elliott. I hope to capture some memorable moments.

****I would like to request special prayers for my little buddy Claire. She is back in hospital and its a rough road. This little girl and her family are amazing people and need you to keep them in your hearts.******

In love and peace, Lynette

Huge thanks to all who helped with the album making work party. We completed 151 albums and have another 30 covers ready to be bound. The volunteers were flat out amazing and we are blessed to have our work supported by such wonderful heart. We even made the evening news on KOMO in a beautiful piece by Elisa Jaffe who has expressed interest in joining our board. We are thankful and honored to have had this opportunity to once again tell a bit about our work. Over 30 volunteers lent a hand to make this possible.

You can see part of the results of the day here in a quick shot of days completed photo albums. The papers that cover the books are all donated by our volunteers and supporters. Many people attending brought paper and the remainder came from our dear friends in Tokyo. We are so very thankful.

In the mail yesterday came more bracelets that are gifts to the families that are made by our wonderful Soul mom, Denise with the aid of our supporters who supply the main charm piece, Outcast. They are lovely pieces and we are so thankful for being able to offer such a beautiful legacy gift.

In love and peace, Lynette

We are enjoying the lovely weather and the fact that the phones have been quieter this month. We have received two generous donations in the last week, one in memory of Elise and the other in memory of Natalie. We are so thankful to Elise's grandparents and Natalie's parents for their generosity. We are able to move forward with the help and support of our friends.

Tomorrow is the big work party and we are hopeful that we can create 150 albums to cover the new families for the coming year. Our census keeps increasing as the word goes out into the community but our best guess is that we will serve about 150 new families in 2010. We are expecting a great turn out of new and returning volunteers so I think our goal is within reach.

I have been making the tin luminarias regularly since the artist sale and have a number of them complete so we will sell them with the usual 25% going to the foundation. I will have them in a cupboard here in the studio for sale. I am always happy to get those painted tin cans from any of you who would like to donate as well as aluminum drink cans by Arizona Tea, Peace Tea, V-8, Hawaiian Sun, or Hansen's. You can drop off anytime and its been fun to sometimes come home and find a bag of great cans hanging from the fence or dropped inside the gate. Doug is going to teach me how to wire the cans so that they can be hanging light fixtures and I will hopefully have those ready for the next Artist Sale in December.

We are still looking for some volunteers to help Sarah in the office on Thursdays or Friday. If you have an interest please let us know so we can set up a meeting to see if we are a fit for your talents.

Time to get the set up complete for tomorrow, in love and peace, Lynette