session 1: melissa

it's hard to keep your composure sometimes when you are working in such a vulnerable position. i had some difficulties for this first session, but i managed to keep it together. melissa is a beautiful person. she is surrounded by a beautiful family.

when we met with her for this session she had already battled the disease once five years before and was preparing to undergo surgery for her next round (yes, her NEXT round), but she was preparing to do so with a great attitude. hers is the kind of attitude you love to see in people and it's the attitude we want to convey through this calendar: looking squarely in the face of breast cancer and saying "oh no you don't!"

at her session we put her behind a piano and she played for us some "easy Rachmaninov." hah. "easy." and sure there were some missed notes, but she hadn't played the piano in two months while they were battling health issues with her husband. it was powerful sitting there and listening to her play, watching her husband stand at the top of the stairs listening, enjoying what only music can bring: peace. it's impossible to describe the emotion. we pray that her surgery went well today, and that she has a speedy recovery and never has to deal with this again.

they were the perfect family to start this journey with. i planned to be inspired every day i work on this project. it looks like i will be!

- jason