I’ve had the pleasure of watching Blake grow up over the years.  Her delightful charm and sweet demeanor has never changed from what I remember of her when she used to sit in my class.  Always with a smile and exemplifying politeness and good manners, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her in passing when her face wouldn’t light up with a radiant greeting of:  “Hi Mr. Corso”.

I have to admit that it is a special experience for me to watch these kids come through the local school system and mature into young adults.  I watched Blake stay actively involved through her high school years as a student,  cheerleader and on the yearbook staff, among other things. I even drove the school bus for several years out to her house to pick up her younger brother.

The next thing you know I’m watching her process my bank transitions when I would go through the drive-through at my local bank in town.

So the other day when I walked in to the bank to make a deposit, I was a bit taken back to see her working as a teller up front.  Actually, what caught my eye was the fact she was completely bald.  But that sure didn’t hinder her from the routine greeting that I have grown accustomed to from her over the years.  In fact, the only thing shinier than her bald pate was the glowing smile that spread across her face as she said: “Hi Mr. Corso”.

Now there are some things one can notice about a person when they see them and ‘pretend’ that you don’t see it and carry on a conversation like nothing is different.  But that was not going to happen with this meeting.  I just stopped…and the only thing I could think of to say was: “Hi Blake.  Are you starting a new trend?”

Animated as ever, she began to share with me in such a childlike way that she lost her hair due to an auto-immune disease known as ‘Alopecia’.  Sounding like she was well read on the subject, she went on to educate me (and the customer standing next to me) of this ‘disease’ that can attack the joints (rheumatoid arthritis) , the organs (Lupus), or the hair (Alopecia). She felt quite fortunate to have had it attack the latter.

It was in August of last year that she discovered a couple of bald spots on the back of her head.  She laughs now, sharing how she thought she got mange from her dog.  But the problem persisted and after numerous doctor’s visits and testing and more testing, she received her diagnosis and began to accept the reality of a hairless life.

“At least I don’t have to mess with shaving my legs anymore” Blake quips with a smile.

Did she have struggles as the truth of this diagnosis settled in?  Of course.  She had her ugly cries and pity parties… not to mention she has become proficient at wig shopping.

There is no ‘cure’ for her disease.  It is possible that it could go in to remission on it’s own but there is no treatment that will bring this about.

But she  seemingly is beginning to feel comfortable in her own skin as well.  She gets a lot of affirmation from family, friends, colleagues and customers, being reminded once again of the old saying ‘bald is beautiful’.

Blake is in the middle of planning her upcoming wedding in August.  She plans to wear a wig for her walk down the aisle.  But with a growing jewelry and headband collection, along with honing her make-up application skills, it’s likely that the next time you stroll in to the bank,  you’ll see that shiny round head illuminated by a cheerful smile greeting you as usual.

It goes without saying that I saw a wonderful model in the making as we quickly agreed to do a photo shoot together.  Blake gave me permission to ‘show her off’ which you can view by clicking on the photo below.

I can’t believe how quickly the years have flown by.  So many precious memories that I have raising them here in NE Texas.  Forgive me for feeling a tad nostalgic on Valentine’s Day, but this was always a special day between them and me as I personally delivered flowers to them at school every year on this day.

We certainly had some lean years way back then but you’d never known it by just the genuine happiness we all shared together…from imaginary softball games at a darkened ball field to fishing excursions and camp-0uts.  They all played such a significant part in the church I pastored for years and I know they have a lifetime of memories from that experience alone.  We raised them in the country and they have simply grown up in to beautiful, mature, intelligent  women of integrity and are out making their mark on this world.

Just a quick update on where they are and what they are doing now.

Lisa

Lisa has been married now for almost 8 months to Paul Devereaux and they live in Gilbert, AZ.  Lisa works full time for Mission Community Church there in Arizona as their communication Director and is also serving as their worship director which is pretty awsome considering it is a 5000+ member church.  She’s come a long way since Minter.

Minda

After living/working in the Dallas metroplex for the last ten years, she took a giant leap of faith and ventured out of her ‘comfort zone’ for some new challenges.  Minda moved to Tallahassee, FL where she is the Social Media Manager for an educational foundation headed up by Jeb Bush. Minda simply flourishes wherever she goes.

Caralyn

And this sweet little girl just graduated from nursing school in December with her BSN/RN, sailed through her boards, and landed an incredible job at Baylor Health Care system in Dallas where she is currently being trained to be an ER/Trauma nurse.

And let me add here that as blessed as I am to be their ‘Dad’, there is no way they would have ever grown to be the incredible women they are had it not been the influence of their Mom, Kathy.

We are a blessed family in so many ways.

And just for fun…a video clip below here just looking back over the years …Enjoy. 

The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying: “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.”  Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something at the wheel.  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:  “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!  (Jer.18:1-6)

Perhaps it’s the teacher in me that likes visual lessons best.  Or maybe it’s the student in me?  Either way, I was treated to an outstanding lesson today in church.  Michael & Pam Rozell of Potter’s Field ministries were in service with us today and presented a tremendous message through the use of a potter’s wheel and song.

I knew before hand that this would be a unique service and got permission to photograph their presentation.  So while part of me was in ‘photographer mode’ during the service, my heart was also deeply touched by the message as well.

What is equally impressive is the outreach ministry they are involved with ministering to children around the world…many of them in some of the most miserable conditions that we can imagine.  Sure would be an experience to get involved with some outreach like that.

I’m posting  a few of the pictures I shot today that I thought were interesting from a photographic perspective  as well.  Click on the photo to view that gallery.