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When My Son Passed Half of Me Went With Him

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Photography By: Felecia Causey Tra’Darius “Mook” DeRAmus was the youngest of my three children. He attended a local middle school, where he was a great and attentive student. One of his favorite hobbies was playing videogames.  He always would stay to himself and didn’t have many friends. In his fourteenth year of childhood, he met his first friend. This friend and him started hanging out after school, although I was never comfortable with this young man or trusted him.  One day after school, my son left with this young man and he never returned home.  Losing my child, my only son at 14 years old, has changed my life drastically. I noticed it and so did the people around me.  I’ve heard that the greatest loss a human can experience, is the loss of a child. THIS IS TRUE!! It doesn't just change you, it demolishes you.   The strongest person in the world, is a grieving mother, that wakes up and keeps going everyday.  My son and I were very close. When I m

I Am Mother Living With A Chronic Illness

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  Featuring:Adrian Dunklin Photography: Felecia Causey My name is Adrian Dunklin. In 2012, I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis. It’s a chronic lung disease that turns your body against itself basically.  I never knew I had this disease because I was so full of life! I beat the odds of conceiving and gave birth to my first daughter. I began to feel as though I couldn’t breathe one day so I decided to finally get up and go to the doctor. Upon my examination, my doctor informed me that I have what she believed to be a collapsed lung. I was sent to the hospital. I was placed in ICU for four days.  I then had to see the lung specialist because it wasn’t a collapse lung, but rather I had lymph nods the size of golf balls in my chest and lungs. After being discharged two weeks later I was scheduled to have a lung biopsy. I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis. I started out with only steroids because my disease can only be treated and controlled, not cured. I cried daily and continued to ask God

Being Diagnosed With Cervical Cancer

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Photography By:Felecia Causey Featuring Riketa Johnson M y name is Riketa Johnson, and I was born and raised in Montgomery, Al. I have traveled and lived in many places, but Montgomery will always be my home. I have been in a relationship for over four years.  I have been through a whole lot in my life.  In January 2014, I went to my gynecologist for my annual check up, I was sent to do blood work, and all my usual tests. A week went by when I received a call from my doctor's nurse to inform me that my pap test came back abnormal . It was very unusual so, I felt confused and did not know what to do . I knew abnormal meant something was wrong, so I asked what was my next step. The nurse told me that she could not discuss it over the phone,  but I would need to come in to speak with her as soon as possible. I went into the doctor's office that next day and she explained to me that I would need to have a test done on my cervix. The test would help determine why my re

Are you Marrying Your Spouse or The Family?

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Written By: Felecia Causey Photography:Felecia Causey Model: Kim Parks Are you dealing with horrible in-laws? Have you, asked yourself what do I owe them? I can personally say, I have the best mother-in-law a lady could ask for. Unfortunately, I know many people can not say the same. The struggles many people have with their in-laws issues, can become a nightmare. The understanding that everyone will not like you, plays an important role. I am sure we have heard the saying “when you marry someone, you marry the whole family”. I know there are many who believe that, but there are others that don’t. They felt like their vows were only to his/her spouse. I have heard several horror stories, from a mother-in-law who is constantly in the relationship to the dealing of sister-in-laws that starts confrontations or the in-laws that constantly ask for money. There are a lot of people that have dealt with many issues, before getting married, during the ma

I Couldn't Believe I Gave Birth and Lost My Son All At The Same Time

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Photography: Felecia Causey Featuring: Shainese Mcclendon My name is Shainese and I’m 24 years old. I want to share my story on how I lost my son. Everything started on my 20th birthday, when I went out to eat and shop with my family, when a sudden pain hit me. I decided to go lay down at my cousin's house and sleep it off. When I woke up I was still having very bad pains. I rushed to the restroom, where I threw up every where. I was in so much pain, I collapsed on the floor and yelled for help. My cousin rushed me to the ER, where I was admitted by my doctor. He later informed me that I had pre-eclampsia, and was told I would have to be rushed to Birmingham, AL. The first week I was there they told me, that I would have to deliver him early due to my high blood pressure. I was afraid because they couldn't get it down. I was also scared I was going to lose, the only person that would love me no matter what. As the week went by, everything was fine.  After two

Be The Best Parent Before Trying to Be The Best Friend

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Written By:Felecia Causey Photography By: Felecia Causey Models: Shalanda Jones and her daughter Amari Jones, Meeshia Hurst and her daughter Shaniah Hurst As women, we know female friendships are complicated at all ages. As mothers we play both the nurturer, and disciplinary, amongst many other things. This generation of mothers and daughters, have a more sisterly bond. I believe there is nothing wrong with being a friend to your child. I do believe it's very important that you find a balance in being the parent and friend.   Unfortunately, many young girls don't have the luxury of a healthy relationship or no bond at all with their mothers. Meeshia and Shaniah When I was a young woman, growing up, I thought my mother was strict and unfair. I can now say that she had good intentions and she is now my best friend. As I am a mother to my daughter, I now,  realize my mom gave me the main things I needed: love and discipline. I want to m

Featuring: A Wedding In Malibu, CA on Zuma Beach

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Written By:Felecia Causey Photography: Felecia Causey Bride and Groom: Jeff and Sharon Silverman Envision your wedding day at Zuma Beach in Malibu, California. From gorgeous beach background, sunshine, and beautiful warm weather, a wedding there makes for a perfect destination to create memories to share for a lifetime. Malibu beautiful scenery has become a premiere location for a destination wedding. There are many venues there, that can offer you an experience that is above all else. When trying to imagine Malibu with it's desirable views, the location is irrestible and one of the most spectacular spots I've had the opportunity of visiting. I was blessed to have captured Jeff's and Sharon's wedding nuptials there.     The sun was shinning, the weather was great, and the views were absolutely stunning. For all soon-to-be wed couples who are beach loving, sun seeking, and destination wedding dreamers here is a location I think you should chec