Today is my last day of big city awesomeness, and awesome it was. I savoured the independence and simplicity. As it was just Selah and I here I didn't have to consult, organize or plan much - all three factors are a big part of my home life. It was a nice break. However, I am feeling excited to go home to another kind of awesomeness named John, Mikhayla, Rowan, Gabby and Maggie.

The city was like visual candy to me, I see phenomenal photography locations everywhere. This big city summer week will definitely be an annual trip and next year I will probably open up some city portrait sessions.

While I was here I was doing some work for the gloriously important Y.A.N.A  and I can't STRESS enough how meaningful the organization is. I just came from the hospital where I was a fly on the wall as a couple met with parts of the medical team that will be involved in the birth of their child. This Comox Valley couple have to be close to Children's Hospital as the medical community has anticipated possible heart and neurological complications.

Wow.

Can you put yourself in their shoes? A first baby, being taken away from your friends and family, and having your hopes derailed. The fear and stress could be really overwhelming. Then you add in the stress of being away from work for an unknown period of time and just the general feeling of being displaced.

Now imagine having nowhere to live while you are here. Staying hotels or at one of the two temporary facilities for families in this situation.

But - no

That's not the case for them. After their appointment today they get to go back to a place that is their private space, that is clean, private and as much like a home as one could want in a situation like this. A place where many of their expenses are covered.

Thanks to Y.A.N.A. - that is thier story.

So I know many of you readers are big supporters of Y.A.N.A. and you like movies right? Well be sure to check out the Movie Under the Stars on August 19th. This event, sponsored by First Credit Union and Insurance benefits Y.A.N.A.

In September the Century Bike Ride fundraiser will be taking place - this year there is also the addition of the children's ride. You can find out more on the Y.A.N.A. website. 

I'll cut the sentiment now, but I just have to remind you, making a difference no matter where and how you do it is actually really easy, and although it isn't always visible, the difference is there and it matters.

If you don't know about Y.A.N.A. scroll down to my last post.

As part of my Y.A.N.A. day of shooting I had a few special visitors pop into the studio to create some photos that will be used in Advertising the Century Ride.

Thanks to Anita from Y.A.N.A and Peter from the Comox Valley Record Newspaper (the Record is also a sponsor for the event)  for putting this together and the busy folks who took time out of their day to come and be photographed to help promote the ride.

The Century Ride is a 100 mile bike ride.The ride will be happening on Sunday, September 13. The ride is divided into 3 separate loops and the riders are welcome to do all or part of the course. It's not a race. It's about community coming together for a common cause. In the spirit of community and along with our philosophy of families helping families, a family ride has been added this year. The family ride is 5 1/2 kms through Comox that children and families are encouraged to do together. Riders are encouraged to collect pledges and all of the money raised will go YANA.  For more information call Anita at the YANA office 890-0343 or contact us through the websitewww.yanacomoxvalley.com or through Black'sCycle (a huge sponsor of the event) 339-7011 or visit their websitewww.blackscycle.ca

Meet a few of the riders:

Janine Tiller, Nick Holatko, Anita Brassard, Erin Halichuk from the Record, Bert Heeringa from Canadian Tire and Dave Proctor from Remax.

If you are a regular blog reader you will know that Y.A.N.A. is close to my heart and you will know why. If not, read on:

Y.A.N.A (You are not alone) is a local organization that helps families in the Comox Valley cope with the financial burden of having to travel outside of the Valley for medical treatment for their children.  Y.A.N.A operates four lovely appartement close to Chilcren's Hospital in Vancouver but will also help fund other accomodations and provides support in other areas as well.

About four years ago, I picked up the phone and called Y.A.N.A as I wanted to get involved. I had reached a point in my business and life where I wanted to step up how I contributed. Y.A.N.A was an orginization that I kept hearing about, I was toubhed by how many of my clients had used their services. I picked up the phone and called them. 

Two weeks later I called them back.

I wasn't available to help anymore.

My then, four year-old step-daughter had just been daignosed with leukemia. Suddenly, Y.A.N.A took on a whole different meaning in my life.

That was about three years ago. After her diagnosis Maggie and John lived in a Y.A.N.A. appartement for quite some time. I am not sure what this time in their life would have looked like without the Y.A.N.A. apartment. The apartment was an important place for them, a place to rest, escape, breath - a place to receive phone calls, make dinner, have visitors.

A year ago one of our other daughters needed medical support at Children's Hospital and once again there we were in a Y.A.N.A. apartement.

Of course, both times the aparment wa a blessing, we are not sure where we would have stayed otherwise. But what struck us, is that it meant so much more than the logistics.

When you are being supported by Y.A.N.A, and you are out of the community, the community is with you. A beuatiful thing people!!

Did you know that Y.A.N.A is one of a kind, this amazing charity does not exist in other communities (yet!)

Here are a few other local children that have been supported by Y.A.N.A.

Zac:

Ethan and Livea:

Ryder:

Carter:

Justin:

A beautiful way to end my day, with Gabrielle: