I was truly honored to photograph the 5th Annual Spread Your Wings Walk for my dear friend, Karen Behl, who lost her son, Michael Janasik in a tragic car accident in 2009. I feel a strong sense of connection to Karen and her family because both Michael and his brother, Robert, were former students of mine and Karen’s mom, Marilyn, worked in the Shorewood School District with my beloved Mark, who we also lost unexpectedly 11 months ago. Both Michael and Mark were organ donors and saved many lives through their gifts of life. Marilyn says that she knows Mark is watching over Michael in heaven. I imagine that they were smiling down on us today, sharing their love of basketball, family and friends. I am in complete awe of Karen’s strength and spirit. No one should endure the loss of a child. Yet Karen and her family honor Michael through their fortitude, bringing awareness to organ donation, advocating stricter laws and penalties for drunk driving, and generously giving their time, energy and love to causes close to their hearts in tribute to their beloved Michael. As Karen so eloquently stated today, when you meet real tragedy in life, you can let it take you down or you can pick yourself up and do something good.
