Be Not Afraid

Be Not Afraid

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Hail Holy Queen

A Heart Like Mary

April 6, 2012 by allisonbenotafraid

Last week, John Paul and I enjoyed a perfect spring day. The weather was gorgeous, the flowers were blooming, and John Paul and I were both feeling well. Memories of PET scans, surgeries, needles, PICC lines, NICU stays, and cancer seemed far away. We had a wonderful time playing in the yard, exploring a park nearby, and saying hello to the many neighbors out and about. As I took in the day, I couldn’t help but feel how quickly these […]

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Categories: Cancer, Faith, Parenting • Tags: Baby, Christianity, Crucifixion, Good Friday, Holy Mary, Jesus, Suffering

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Happiness

Mirroring the Father’s Love

March 10, 2012 by allisonbenotafraid

Just yesterday, a friend was telling me about a voicemail she’d received a few days earlier. Amidst some muffled sounds and giggling, if you listened hard enough, you could hear a child’s voice saying “Auntie Cari.” Finally, she heard her name spoken by her dear friend’s son. She’d worked with him on learning it, but it had taken some time. And though she knew he knew her, there was just something about it being made clear and concrete, through words, […]

Categories: Faith, Parenting • Tags: Baby, Christianity, Life

3
Child of Joy

Who You are at One Year Old

March 1, 2012 by allisonbenotafraid

Oh, sweet, silly, and crazy John Paul, I never want to forget anything about who you are right now! Especially the way you bury your head and arms into my chest when you’re tired, the way your hair curls up in the back, or the way you try to kiss me, coming at me with a completely open mouth and wide eyes. So, here is who you are at one year old: You are a child of great joy. Everyone […]

Categories: Parenting • Tags: Baby, Birthday, Life, Motherhood, One Year Old

6
Happy Birthday John Paul!

Dear John Paul, On Your First Birthday:

February 28, 2012 by allisonbenotafraid

Today, you are one year old.  I can’t believe how quickly time has flown, and how much we’ve been through together in one short year.  As I watched you gaze in excitement at your birthday oatmeal this morning I thanked God, with my whole heart, for the incredible blessing you are in my life, and in the lives of so many others. Last night, your Daddy and I lay in bed together, our heads touching, our hands grasped tightly together. […]

Categories: Faith, Parenting • Tags: Baby, Birthday, First Birthday, Life

10
Baby

31 Days of Facing My Fears: Day 9 Being a Bearer of Joy

October 11, 2011 by allisonbenotafraid

Much of the time, my son John Paul is as sweet as can be.  He looks up at you with his big baby blues wide and his mouth opened ever so slightly, and it’s impossible not to smile. But lest you be fooled, there is another side of John Paul.  A side so shocking and so terrifying, that it cannot be described in words.  Rather, this picture will have to suffice: Meet what we in the McGinley family affectionately call, […]

Categories: 31 Days of Facing My Fears, Parenting • Tags: Baby, Christianity, Family, Life, Motherhood

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John Paul-NICU

Choosing to Live in Hopefulness

August 24, 2011 by allisonbenotafraid

Often, when things seem to be going well, I start to worry.  I let my mind wander and imagine every scenario that could be, including the scary, seemingly bad ones.  Even before I was diagnosed with cancer, I used to have some sort of feeling that I might get cancer in my twenties.  I don’t think I have a six sense; rather, as a worrier, I let myself  imagine that the worst case scenario might happen.  (And not only was […]

Categories: Cancer, Faith, Parenting • Tags: Baby, Cancer, Christianity, Hope, Life, Photography, Worry

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I'm Allison, a stay at home mom to a sweet little boy. I love days with my son, my sweet husband, beating cancer, Blessed JP II, singing at mass, Notre Dame, taking pictures, L'Arche, and white wine. Here's where I write about life. Welcome!

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