Priceless

Cardstock to make cards from scratch: $5

Colored pencils, pens and stickers to decorate cards: $15

Postage to overnight the cards to the messenger: $45

A chance to send hope notes to the girls of Rwanda: priceless

As many of you know, our lovely Jen is leaving to take her sweet self, her zines, blank journals, pens, hearts, these handwritten hope notes and a film to share with the girls of Rwanda. Girls who need encouragement and support more than we can ever imagine.

For those of us who remain here while Jen single handedly delivers these messages (indeed, she is a superhero of hope), the photos and videos that she captures over there will be the only way we can truly share the trip with her. But beyond that, her photographs will serve as the only recent record that one mother has of her daughters. Imagine how it would feel to see a photo of your child after 2 years of not seeing any. Two years. And then comes a day when a rare and beautiful gift is handed to you through one photograph. A single image that would surely take any mother’s breath away.

Simple truths like this remind me that when we hold our cameras, we hold incredible power. How lucky are we to shoot photo after photo of our own children, of friends and family. Each image a gift. A gift that is indeed priceless.

As we send our sister off on the journey of a lifetime, let’s honor her with links to our own priceless photographs, shall we? It’ll be our little way of showing her our Shutter Sisters support.

Safe travels Jen, we will all be eagerly awaiting stories and photos. Lots and lots of glorious, priceless photos.

Comments

[laura]

Thanks Tracey for your posts! I finally read up on Jen's amazing trip she'll be going on soon! Wow! I was so inspired and moved by Odette's story! I can't even imagine being apart from my child for a day! Thank you Jen for doing such a great thing for those girls! All the power to you, Odette and the girls!

Here's my precious one the day after she was born:

http://www.dolcepics.com/dailypic/birth/

[Marcie]

I've been carefully following Jen's planned journey of bringing hope to Odette and her daughters and to all the girls of Rwanda.It's unnatural for a mother to be separated from here babies at such a young age. I can't imagine.

Here's one from 'nature'. Not even a full day old:

http://marciescudder.blogspot.com/2008/05/coming-out.html

[Kate]

The only amazing picture I have at the moment is the one I have in my head, of Jen and her incredible aura, spirit, smile, BALLS. Metaphorically speaking of course. Jen, you are such an inspiration. You are a warrior of goodness. xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

[shelli]

I'm so thrilled she's going. She'll be changed forever after a trip like that.

[sarah]

Many blessings and safe travels, Jen.

This image is six and a half years old. How can it be that it was so long ago that my biggest girl fit so neatly in my lap?

http://flickr.com/photos/51674556@N00/2494736335/

[Ashley]

have a wonderful safe trip, jen. i'm sure it will be amazing.

[Lyn]

For Jen -- may it go even better than you hope.

(and I got totally carried away here... once I went down the "twins when they were just infants" path, it was SUPER hard to stop...)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11439752@N04/2497446540/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11439752@N04/2496620577/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11439752@N04/2496621267/

and now, at 5 years old...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11439752@N04/2497450674/

[Lawyer Mama]

One of my recently found treasures of my youngest when he was 3 weeks old. When I went through my old P&S and saw it, it did take my breath away:

http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2483309811/

and now:
http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2445064970/

[Connie]

Safe journey and carry our hopes and love with you!
This was taken when my hope and love was so strong.
http://flickr.com/photos/mini-mrs/2496916967/

[melody]

Blessings, Jen. I'll be thinking and praying. Remember that though far away...we're all under the same glorious sky...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melsphotophun/2071516606/

[intensity_too]

What happens when you turn the magic of photography over to your kids.

One 4 1/2 year old: 7 hours of labor

One Nikon D80 with 50mm f/1.4 lens: $1000

The pictures your child takes: priceless

http://weblog.xanga.com/intensity_too/657308856/item.html

[Angharad]

this is my priceless shot - taken one christmas, in a cold cottage in wales, my child feels safe enough to sleep through having a camera pointed in his face.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/43/78899224_8c35fe97d9_b.jpg

safe travels jen, and strength and love from all of us who are cheering you on.

[Mary Ann]

I love this photo with the flowers in the dress behind the card of the flower.

I just saw the Courage pen you sent to Jen Lemen before she left on her journey to Africa. After reading backwards on her blog to the beginning, I'm amazed by what she's doing. Thank you for sharing her story.