Spring is coming. Sure, we’ll get slammed with more freezing temperatures. And probably even some more snow. But it’s inevitable, and it’s close. I know, because the pictures don’t lie.
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Mitchell is nine years old. He loves sports, especially football and soccer. He’s smart, outgoing, and fearless. By almost any measure you can imagine, he’s an All-American boy.
About three months ago he started experiencing abnormal headaches, sometimes accompanied by nausea and vomiting. His parents took him to the doctor, and all signs pointed to blood sugar problems. Tests were run and everything came back normal.
Six weeks ago he went to the hospital for a CT scan. They found a 4cm mass on the back of his brain, and he was scheduled for surgery two days later. The tumor was removed without complication, but the lab work came back positive for cancer.
Can you imagine, as a parent, having to explain to your child that they have cancer?
Can you?
Mitchell’s first words after waking up from surgery were a whisper: “Did they get it out?”
Can you imagine being excited to hear those words from your child, because it means they can still speak?
I can’t.
I can’t imagine a lot of things that Mitchell and his parents have had to go through. And it’s far from over.
In addition to the five weeks weeks of intensive physical therapy that he’s already had to endure, Mitchell has well over a year of radiation and chemotherapy to go through. Even though the prognosis is good, the journey will be difficult, and he knows it.
So, to those of you who already know about Mitchell and his journey, don’t forget about him. In some ways, the hardest days are yet to come. For those of you who are hearing this story for the first time, please pray for Mitchell and his family. They need all the help they can get.
And for everyone, both new and old, stay tuned. Mitchell and his family are in the middle of an amazing story, and we’re going to help them tell it.
Happy ending and all.
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What an amazing gift you are giving to the Buning Family. You sure captured this special day for them. We have them in our prayers daily and can’t wait for the day when there long hard journey is over!
Keeping the Buning Family in my prayers. How neat they’ll have these incredible pictures to look at and review this unexpected journey they are on. Great job Alex! Truly a God given gift you are using to bless them with.
Thank you so much Alex, this is wonderful thing you are doing for them! Beautiful shots!
Thank you for doing this for my cousin and our whole family. Praying for you Mitchell! Keep fighting!!
Amazing pictures!! Beautiful gift…thanks for sharing…praying for Mitchell and the family daily
Keeping in touch through E-mail – So happy for you that things are looking up. The Lord is in control and every day we thank him for his goodness. Keep close to HIM. Aunt Marge
These pictures are gorgeous. Thank you for this, it brought tears to my eyes.
<3 Mitchel
Thanks for your love and caring, already reflected in the journey you’ve chosen to walk along with the Buning family!!
No… I can’t imagine. You are an amazing photographer. I loved reading Mitchell’s story. Love that last image.
Wow Alex, you caught some real emotion and have done a wonderful job of these pictures – made a lump in my throat. Kudos to you and sending hope to the family.
Beautiful images, Alex. Wishing Mitchell and his family all the best!
My 9 year old son is also named Mitchell…I can’t imagine what the family has gone through, but your images are beautiful and it is great that you were able to give them this give to remember how strong they truly are as a family…
What an amazing set of images. Thank you for sharing!
Very moving. I love the one with his hand reaching up.
I had a chance to meet Mitchell and his amazing family last week while on duty. They all were able to spend some time at the LaGrave Ave. fire station, where we were able to vist and share a pizza dinner with the Buning family. Mitchell is one tough kid, surrounded by a very loving family. I have no doubts that he’ll be fine!
I’m glad they got to spend a “normal” day, and had some fun. Your talent showed it so well. God bless you !!! Nate’s Aunt Sandy
A day or two ago, we had an amazing sunset here in West Michigan. And if you’re from this area you know that’s not a common event in the winter. The sky just “goes away” for three months or so. Clouds roll in, and the sun rolls out. If the sun breaks through, or we *gasp* have a blue sky for a day, people can’t stop talking about it. I know most people will disagree, but the long winter is almost worth it when those first days of spring roll around. All the waiting makes it that much better.
So of course, during the amazing sunset I went out and took pictures. No big surprise there. What I didn’t anticipate though, was my favorite image would be a black and white conversion. Funny how that works..
The midwest had a huge weather system move through over the past 24 hours.
I shoveled today. A lot.
Great photo! I reference this photo whenever I mention the snow storm of 2011.
Whenever I get the chance to travel, I take it. Short trips or long, exotic or mundane, it doesn’t matter. To me, getting out of your comfort zone and seeing something new is invigorating.
And don’t forget, no matter how much you love home, the world is a big, wonderful place. Check it out, you won’t be disappointed.
this is really a flour paste model with whip cream, right?
by Alex