Sara Alexander
Sara Alexander is one of my favorite people. I met Sara at my Smithburg photography studio during the 40-over-40 portrait session —a series of portraits highlighting incredible women.
Sara is an incredible mother and wife; she strives to be a better person than she was yesterday for her family. Sara's most significant achievement is raising two boys to be kind, loving, and authentic —and that's no small feat!
People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
~Maya Angelou
She said something that really struck me when I asked her what is one thing about herself, she would like to share. Sara surprised me with the following words:
“When I give, it does not come with strings. I don't keep track of what others "owe" me. When I give, it does not come with ulterior motives. I give because I'm genuine. I give because I know, firsthand, what it's like to go without. I know what it's like to long for and be ignored. To speak and not be heard. To care for and have nothing returned. When I give, it's because I get it. It's because I know the value in what I have in my heart, and I refuse to let the world stop me from sharing it.”
Sara is a true gem; It really shows her character and the kind of heart she has; she radiates kindness and goodwill towards everyone around her—and that is something special indeed!
As one of the many women interested in being a part of my 40-over-40 portrait project. Sara explained what made her decide to participate. She was drawn to not only the stunning images captured but also how the campaign aimed to highlight and enhance the natural beauty of women as they age gracefully. As individuals, we each have our unique ways of being beautiful, and this project provided an avenue to showcase just that - that aging can indeed come with its own kind of beauty worth sharing.
Photography Session: Stunning Photoshoot Experience
“Well, I thought the pictures were absolutely beautiful, but I loved just the idea of the campaign looking at women and making them feel beautiful, bringing out their natural beauty, bringing out what's already inside of us that, as we age, feel like, oh, she’s aging gracefully, that kind of stuff. I think we're all beautiful in our own ways. And so, for me, the campaign was just a way to show that there's not one standard. We bring humanity to us as women as we age.”
During the 40-over-40 portrait session, Sarah exhibited tremendous courage by opening up about her heartbreaking loss. She shared how the tragic death of her son had completely shifted her perspective on life and left an indelible mark on her heart. As she talked about growing older, it was evident that losing a child had taught her to cherish every single moment in life. It was truly heartbreaking to hear how bullying and suicide could have such devastating effects on families like hers, and one couldn't help but feel empathy for what they must be going through. Despite this unimaginable trauma, Sarah found solace in looking forward to being reunited with all members of her family once again someday.
How the tragic death of her son had completely shifted her perspective on life…
“I feel like when I look back or when I was younger, I thought my mom was old when she was my age. And so now I look at myself and it’s like, oh, Braker is not that old. I look forward to just growing as a person and as a professional. I think it's different for me. Since losing my son, I was always looking forward to the day when I was like, oh, my gosh, we're going to be 44 years old, and we're going to be empty nesters. And that was something that was always appealing to my husband and I. But when we lost our son, that rearranges the way you think and view everything. And so, what I look forward to most now, and I’m not in any hurry, is being able to be reunited with, and have my whole family back together again. So age-wise, I just am taking it a day at a time, I guess. “
It takes immense strength and courage to endure the pain of losing a child, especially when it is due to bullying. I am deeply inspired by Sara, who not only survived this tragedy but also used her experience as a driving force to help others. Instead of succumbing to despair and grief, she founded AIDEN MATTHEW RIPPLE EFFECT FOUNDATION – a non-profit organization that strives to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention. By dedicating herself entirely to saving lives, reducing the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and spreading love throughout the world in memory of her son Aiden Matthew- she has proven herself as a beacon of hope for all those who are struggling with similar challenges. Her resilience serves as a testament to what people can achieve through their unwavering dedication towards helping others even after going through unimaginable pain themselves because no one should ever have to suffer alone or lose someone dearly because of bullying or suicide.
I urge you to consider participating in Aiden Matthew Ripple Effect Foundation's upcoming events. The Break the Stigma Color Run on May 21, 2023, at HCC. In addition, the Soccer Tournament on June 17, 2023, at Brooke Lane Soccer Fields is another excellent opportunity to get involved with a great cause while enjoying some friendly competition. By grabbing your tickets now for both events not only will you be giving back but also setting an example for others by showing that it's okay to talk about mental health and support those who may be struggling. Together we can make a difference through our actions big or small and positively impact lives through empathy and understanding- don't miss out!
It was a great experience getting to know Sara and learning about her life. I'm really glad I got to spend some time with her!
“Through my numerous life experiences, I have gained knowledge and maturity which have made me a more confident woman in all aspects of my life.” - Sara Alexander
Be featured in the 40-over-40 photography session showcasing women like you. Celebrate yourself and be part of an empowering gallery of successful women. Book your session now! Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity.
All the best,
Diana