My Visual Stories

The Children Need You

You drive by your community baseball parks and soccer fields, elementary schools, malls, and playground areas at McDonalds. The one thing all these sort of places have in common is the joy of children. Playing and carefree. Drive by a local pediatric hospital, like Texas Children's ninth floor and MD Anderson's ninth floor and it is a different story. Bats aren't swinging; balls aren't flying; Dippin Dots aren't being eatin; no one is swinging from the monkey bars. Behind the walls of those pretty buildings you find kids fighting - fighting for their lives. Some are dying and some are surviving. But no matter what - most are smiling and they all need you to be aware. Aware that childhood cancer is a monster that affects thousand's of children every year.

The above video is a tribute to all children fighting cancer and for those caring for them. You can make a difference. Help spread the word about the reality of childhood cancer. Hook up with an organization to help make a difference (drop me a note and I can give you a list of very worthy organizations on the frontlines). Whatever you do, you can be a part of finding a cure. This video is visual story of our son's fight against AML Leukemia. He was diagnosed in August 2008. He is still fighting! In a speech at our local church this past Sunday, he said, "It has been a very hard two years. But I haven't done this - WE have done this!" Please join the fight. Find your place on the battlefield. Do a little, do a lot - but do something! Do it for the children!

Behind these Blue Eyes

 Meet Bryson. Stare into his eyes. Beautiful blue eyes. Running through this young child's blood is Leukemia. Again. We met Bryson and his mom and dad last year when our son returned to Texas Children's with Leukemia. Again. We would watch Bryson riding the hallway in his blue wagon gazing at his surroundings with his blazing blue eyes. Surroundings that such a one would never choose. News of Bryson's relapse landed hard.

His dad Tim says, "The results have come back positive..Our little boy has relapsed, definitely not the news we wanted to hear but what else can we do, NOTHING, be the strong parents and help Bryson get through more chemo and then bone marrow transplant. The next several months are going to be important for Bryson an...d we need as much prayers as you can say PLEASE......."

Bryson, Tim, Stephanie...you are all loved. And you can count on prayers being offered on your behalf. God's will be done. Bryson's mother, Stephanie shares these wise words: "Have faith when you feel you have nothing else because every setback is a setup for an even greater comeback. With all my heart I believe this quote, although my heart is aching right now, my FAITH will carry me through this tough time!"

An Experience Worth Your Time

When you step into the Bombay Brasserie Indian Restaurant in Houston, Texas, your senses are immediately alerted to the exquisite smells coming from the kitchen where authentic Indian food is being made. You are then greeted by one of their friendly waiters and seated at a nice table with sparkling white tablecloths. Excellent service… exquisite Indian food… and friendly, caring people who are not merely serving you to make a profit, but to ensure you are enjoying your dinner while they get to know you a little better making your next visit there even more enjoyable. 

Such is the experience that our family has had at Bombay over the last two years.  Spending so much time in the hospital and often getting tired of hospital food, fast food, and microwave dinners, not to mention way too exhausted to cook every night, we discovered Bombay in the Rice Village and ventured in for a taste of something different. The people there welcomed us in, got to know us, and before long, we could walk through the door and be greeted by our names and the next inquiry would be as to how our son was doing in his fight against cancer. One day Jonathan was finally able to visit for himself and they treated him to a wonderful meal. Our little girl was even treated to a private tour of the kitchen where she was able to see the many dishes being prepared as well as the big clay oven called a tandoori. She was quite amazed!

The people there who care enough to get to know our family, the chef with his happy face and cooking talents, the atmosphere, and exquisite food are all reasons that we love this place. If you’re ever in Houston, stop by Bombay and enjoy!

 

[Article by Melanie O'Malley]

Click here for more images from the kitchen I shot recently at Bombay.