“I have cancer” she said. I felt as if the wind had been knocked out of me for a second. I thought, “Perri is young and healthy and happy and this doesn’t happen to people I know….. She couldn’t have cancer”. But she did, and I have been around long enough to know that bad things happen to good people. It just happens!
I met Perri when she was 17 and I was… well… older than her. We used to work together at a photo studio. Perri was a cool girl. Some of the things I always remembered about her – she loved photography and modeling. More than that, she was just a sweet soul and full of life. We would talk about boyfriends, her plans after high school, shoes and lip gloss. I always loved when she would assist me with a shoot. It made it extra fun. That was a few years ago. Luckily, with Facebook it’s so much easier to stay in touch with old friends.
A few months ago I noticed the strange posts coming from her. That’s when she told me about the thyroid cancer. It seemed wrong – like it didn’t fit or make sense. I always hear it said that attitude is everything, and when it comes to something like this I think it’s true. She was afraid but optimistic. Perri knew she would fight it. The doctors removed her thyroid, she did a little radiation and BAM! all better.
I met Perri when she was 17 and I was… well… older than her. We used to work together at a photo studio. Perri was a cool girl. Some of the things I always remembered about her – she loved photography and modeling. More than that, she was just a sweet soul and full of life. We would talk about boyfriends, her plans after high school, shoes and lip gloss. I always loved when she would assist me with a shoot. It made it extra fun. That was a few years ago. Luckily, with Facebook it’s so much easier to stay in touch with old friends.
A few months ago I noticed the strange posts coming from her. That’s when she told me about the thyroid cancer. It seemed wrong – like it didn’t fit or make sense. I always hear it said that attitude is everything, and when it comes to something like this I think it’s true. She was afraid but optimistic. Perri knew she would fight it. The doctors removed her thyroid, she did a little radiation and BAM! all better.
It was really great to shoot Perri the other day. The pictures just mean so much more for me knowing what she as been through. I think it shows her spirit and celebrates life! And it reminds me:
“Celebrate we will because life is short
But sweet for certain!” – Dave Matthews
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