“All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I’ve been
And how I got to where I am…”
- Brandi Carlisle, The Story

Our wrinkles, markings and scars define us. They tell of our history. Our stories. Whether sources of pride or memory, they are visible reminders of our past and our personal journeys.

Mackenzie is four years old. She has traveled farther than most of us will in a lifetime. She is a picture of adversity, beauty and hope. She is radiant. I hope she always sees herself as people who love her do–a miracle. Beautiful through and through.

She underwent an emergency liver transplant at 14 months old. This month, she will celebrate three years post-transplant. I had the honor of photographing her family in the fall as part of my commitment to the Give Ten Project — of capturing the unique bond her family shares. Her mother, my lovely friend Sarah, shares their story below:

What is significant about this month?
Mackenzie will be celebrating her three-year-transplantiversary on January 21st. It means so many things to us. Every time we get to celebrate it means we have had another year of life. The farther away from transplant means her chances for survival increase. Statistics usually go at 1 year, 3 year, 5 year and 10 year intervals. This is a big year because we will have made it one full year, for the first time since transplant, without Mackenzie rejecting her new liver. The more rejection episodes a transplant recipient has increases the likelihood of future rejection episodes. Her transplantiversary also gives us a chance to celebrate how normal our lives really are day to day. The Lord has really provided for us through out and the impact Mackenzie’s transplant has had on our every day life is minimal. And while we spend this day celebrating Mackenzie’s life we also remember that another family is mourning the death her their child.

Tell us about her teddy bear.
Her “Liver Bear” was a gift post-transplant from my sister in law’s mother. Her mother had the bear made at Build-a-bear, but didn’t close the back of the bear. When he arrived he came with a new pink liver that Mackenzie and I “transplanted” together, so Mackenzie would have a bear with a new liver, just like her.

Why did you want to capture images of Mackenzie’s scar?
I wanted images of Mackenzie’s scar because, for us, it means her life, literally. The older Mackenzie gets the more I worry about how it will affect her self-esteem. She received a full liver from a three year old and because she was just 14 months at the time they had to put in a piece of mesh fascia to close her abdominal wall (like for a hernia surgery) and that is why her belly protrudes around her scar. After we were released from the hospital her incision came apart at the center, which is why she’s has the triangle of scar tissue. When it separated there was nothing her surgeons could do, so we just had to keep it covered until it healed. She’s so young to have such a dramatic scar. And while it seems normal to us, it shocks strangers. Her friends and adults are curious and Mackenzie gladly talks about it. I want her to know the significance her scar holds and how beautiful it truly is.

How has her experience changed your family?
It changed everything. Mackenzie went from healthy to transplanted in 10 days. We’ve been through more than most families at this point. Mat and I had only been married less than three years when we were confronted with our first child’s mortality while I was 8.5 months pregnant with Kennedy. We quickly learned how to handle a crisis together we never thought imaginable. For our marriage it brought Mat and I closer to each other and in our relationship with Christ. I watched Mat put his own life at risk as he began to undergo a battery of tests in order to donate a portion of his liver. Mat stopped working so he could stay at home and care for Mackenzie and Kennedy. We worry about things a little differently. Mackenzie will forever have rely on a medicine to keep her alive, have a compromised immune system, a team of doctors in her life, and regular trips to the lab for blood tests. It’s also given us a new found appreciation for the normal day to day that we get to experience.

Mackenzie and Kennedy truly have an unspoken bond. Kennedy was born just four days after Georgetown gave us the go ahead to return to Hampton Roads. She was thrown into the chaos. Both girls have essentially grown up going to doctor’s appointments and to the lab for blood draws. They can sit and play “doctor” for HOURS. To them that is normal pretend play. I cried when I first saw the images because you captured their love for each other so well. They way they embrace each other and laugh together. Sometimes, its hard to know who’s the older sister as they are both so fiercely protective. When Mackenzie first rejected her new liver, around her one year anniversary, we ended up in the hospital for almost a week. Neither of them knew what to do without the other. When they were finally reunited the sat on the floor across from the other just staring and laughing. The joy they have with the other is overwhelming. It is my prayer that they always have this as they grow up.

How can we become organ donors or contribute to the cause?
Readers can learn more about Organ Donation and/or register to become an Organ Donor by visiting Donate Life America www.donatelife.net or the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) at http://www.unos.org/. They can also register to become an organ donor on their drivers license. Readers can make a donation to Donate Life America at http://donatelife.net/give-to-dla/ or if they are moved, they can join us in making donations to Georgetown at http://www.georgetownuniversityhospital.org/body.cfm?id=1324 and CHKD at https://www.chkd.org/Giving/Donate/

Organ Donation Statistics
112,657 Patients Waiting*
62,648 Multicultural Patients*
1,800 Pediatric Patients*
21,354 Organ Transplants Performed in 2011
10,558 Organ Donors in 2011
*as of January 2012

To read more about Mackenzie’s story, visit her personal blog at http://mackenzielemn.blogspot.com

“She laid on my chest & her breathing filled me almost to beyond what I could hold.” — StoryPeople

The sweet pressure of their tiny body on your belly. The sighs and gurgles. The stillness and magic of the moment. Any mother knows this feeling. It’s not long before they are too big to hold this way…or too squirmy. But in the early days, well, I know I could lay this way for hours just soaking in every inch of their newness. Feeling utterly complete. Overwhelmed with gratitude and in awe of the miracle of life. Anyone who has held a baby softly cradled to their chest knows this too.

Welcome Maggie. My last newborn of 2011. You are a blessing, a miracle from head to toe.

Six-month-olds are my very favorite age to photograph. Why? They have grown from tiny newborns into babies. They are cherubic, chubby little people now. Their personality is blossoming. Mom and dad are more relaxed (and rested) than in the first few weeks. Their “family” personality is emerging and the bonds they have formed with each other are more developed. In short, the love shows and parenthood is at its most blissful stage. This is a precious time…and one of the most important to capture.

Meet sweet Carmina and her mommy and daddy. They epitomize the wonderment of a new family — beautiful, in love and happy in every way possible. Here’s wishing you joy now and always.

“We listened as he played the guitar & sang old love songs & then there was a moment we looked at each other & discovered we were much younger than other people might suspect & it was good to know we had that much more time together.” — The Story People

Emily and Tim are a remarkable duo — they are kind, authentic, passionate and talented creatives (not just a little, mind you, but professional-quality, out-of-this-world- amazing musicians). And, that’s not even their day job. Tim is a doctor and Em heads up a successful wedding planning business. Add two spunky boys to the mix and its easy to understand how their life is constantly in motion. I’m so grateful that they set aside time to capture their young family this fall. They are all very dear to me. I hope that’s easy to see:

What’s not to love about Kevin? His innocent gaze had me at hello. This baby Longhorn is the grandson of an Apple farmer, so the last shot was a request by mom. While I don’t normally use many props in my newborn work, I thought this one was adorable–it’s a basket from his grandparents’ orchard. Won’t it be fabulous when he can reflect on a time when he was small enough to fit inside? Heartfelt thanks to Siobahn and Jeff for commissioning me to capture your precious boy–you are already phenomenal parents and abundantly blessed!