It is with the heaviest of hearts that I write yet another tribute to an amazing kid taken from us far, far too soon because of cancer. I photographed Joe (13 years old at the time), his sister Katie and cousin Patrick (cancer survivor himself!) just about a year ago. (I’ve known Patrick and his family since sweet Mary was diagnosed with cancer several years back.) Last year Joe was in the midst of his battle with cancer. He had physical limitations as result of the chemo and cancer, but that didn’t stop him from doing anything. He made it up the crooked old stairs at the historic house we stopped at first, then at the beach he walked out on the sand by himself just to show us he could do it. Throughout the session I remember saying, “It’s up to Joe,” and getting a “I’m fine” back while one of the other two moaned and groaned. He was a fighter. He was one in a million.

As I started writing this post, one of my favorite songs “For good” from Wicked (I personally love the Glee version) started playing on my iTunes. This song has such meaning to me; I often tear up listening to it, thinking about how true it is for so many people in my life. “People come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn,” “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good..” And as much as I wish it didn’t have to be like this, “I do believe I have been changed for the better” because I knew Joe. His attitude. His spirit. His smile. His fight. His laugh. And I know I’m not the only one that feels this way about him.

Thank you for making me a better person, Joe. Rest in peace. May you kick endless footballs and throw even more baseballs in heaven and visit your family often in their dreams…