You see my Dad is the most social person I have ever met.  His smile lights up a room, and he loves to meet new people. In fact where ever we go, most often than not he runs into someone he knows. This happens in the most obscure and remote areas. I can only assume it is his mission to talk to every human he comes into contact with.

His heart is so generous. He would give you the shirt off his back, and he would even buy you an extra one. The very thing that drives him forward in life is to help others with words of kindness, gestures big and small, and the gift of his accepting heart.

He makes me proud of him daily.  My heart also breaks for him daily as he struggles with his health.

Cancer has taken little pieces away from my Dad that are a part of who he is as a man. It has invaded parts of his pride, dignity, joy, energy, and health. However, cancer has not succeeded in taking away any part of his Faith nor his Hope.  If anything, it has allowed his Faith and Hope to grow and by sharing his story, he has supported and uplifted others who share and understand this fight.

Here’s the thing, talk ing about cancer is uncomfortable.  It’s ugly. But how can we not talk about it?  I don’t know many people who aren’t touched by cancer in some way.  But what if we didn’t talk about it? What if we kept all talk of cancer behind closed doors because it’s too personal to talk about?  How will we ever hope to find a cure if we don’t do something? How would we raise awareness?

But I have to share something that cancer has given us as a family. This ugly disease has brought our family closer. It’s taught us to appreciate the gift of health, because it is indeed a gift. It’s taught us to value life, cherish those we love, tell our loved ones how much they mean to us, laugh a little more, and complain a lot less. And don’t sweat the small stuff!

I know I’ve shared photos of my Dad before, but here’s a little video featuring my soft-hearted Dad. (Click the link below)

Why I Relay for Life Video 2012

On June 15th, 2012 I will once again be joining Team Hope in the Leduc Relay for Life as a way to fight back.

Team Hope, Last year 2011

From 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. we will be walking the track in honour of my Dad, in memory of my Aunt Lorraine and my friend Chris, and in honour/memory of my team mate’s loved ones. I’m excited to capture the event through photography as well, click HERE to view photos from last year’s Relay. If you would like to join the fight by making a donation, please click:

HTTP://CONVIO.CANCER.CA/GOTO/CHRISTINE.HOPALUK

All donations big and small make a difference!  The Canadian Cancer Society advance in their research towards finding a cure each year with the help of your donations.  You can make a difference. No one can take away our hope. Let’s join together to fight this fight. If we don’t come together to make a difference, who will?

I will leave you with a photo of my Dad taken on Easter Sunday. Awww, he’s so cute.

From my Dad’s heart to yours,

Christine

These hands have carried pails of milk, worked the field, prepared many home-cooked meals, and swaddled babies.

But above all, these hands trace the words within her well-worn and much loved bible which she reads daily. The living word has shaped her life for 95 years.

I will treasure these photos for the rest of my life.

These are my Grandma’s hands. The soft and steady hands that lovingly knit wash cloths and mittens for those she adores.

And this is her tea pot. She’s poured many a cup of tea for her guests who come to visit.

I took these photos on Easter Sunday after family dinner.

Five days later, my Grandma fell and broke her hip. Just two days ago, she had surgery and is now recovering in Edmonton.  She is one tough woman!

The day before her surgery, I went to sit with her.  She was of course worried about her surgery, and all the recovery ahead of her. Laying on the table beside her hospital bed was her beloved bible.  I picked it up and asked her if she would like me to read to her.

As I read, all the worry and stress faded away from her face.  She laid peacefully still with her eyes closed, one finger resting on her lip.  At times when I thought she was sleeping, I would quit reading for a moment.  As soon as I stopped, she opened one eye with a look that told me to keep going.

In those moments while I was reading, there was no pain on her face, only peace.

We read through the entire book of Matthew, and then I read various verses that I saw were underlined.

My Grandma is an amazing testament to the power of Faith.

We are so blessed to have her as a role model for our big loving family.

I Love you Grandma!

Chrissy

me to all sorts of life events through out the year.

As I look back, there is a clear favourite image that makes my heart sing every time I look at it.  I come from a big family; I have 5 sisters. It’s hard for all us 6 girls to get together in one place and when we do it’s full of laughter and chaos. We have 16 kids between us 6 sisters, and it’s amazing to see our kids playing together just as we did growing up.

I happened across this cousin-moment at Thanksgiving. There was no time to think about camera settings and exposure, just enough time to click one frame.

One frame that I need to frame….

I hope your day is ridiculously amazing,

Christine