Photographers have made photo-blogging very popular in recent years. After being a fan of many blogs myself, I decided that I too needed one. My intention for this fancy website was to share my work with you, book a few jobs, and possibly sell a couple of prints here and there. I didn't, however, realize this website's full potential until I posted my story on baby Giovanni Guglielmo.

It was through my Giovanni post that I once again found my love for telling stories. I also realized what a great audience I had here. The response was phenomenal and it made me want to look for more stories to tell. Helen Smith, my advisor on the Newtonite, gets the credit for this one. Helen was the person who really taught me to see a good story. Well Helen, I'm still trying!

This brings me to April 5th, 2008. I was watching the news when I heard about eight year old Kai Leigh Harriott. If you are from Boston, perhaps you have heard the name as well - She was the three year old who was paralyzed by a stray bullet in 2003.

While watching the news I found out that Kai was to receive an award at the Urban League Gala that very night. I quickly put away what I was working on and headed to the Boston World Trade Center. Kai's story is nothing short of amazing & I wanted to tell it.

An innocent three year old, shot and paralyzed while playing on her otherwise safe porch. That's what happened to Kai.

"I chose instantly to forgive," said Tonya David, Kai's mom.

"God taught me how to forgive - he taught my heart - he showed me how to change - he taught me to forgive," she said.

"It's not easy to forgive someone who hurt you," said Tonya David - who in front of a packed courtroom in 2006, accepted the apology of Kai's shooter with a hug. "We are choosing to have forgiveness in our hearts," she said. "Forgiveness is the way."

Kai agrees. She publicly forgave her shooter in the same Boston courtroom.

After taking a minute to warm up to the mic (and the couple hundred people starring at her), Kai spoke. "I forgave because I thought it would be the right thing to do," she said. "You want to be happy. You don't want to be old and bitter."

I looked behind me for a second while Kai was speaking. Everyone was clearly taken back by her compassion and strength.

In a 2006 article written by the Boston Globe, Tonya David was quoted, "I don't want bitterness and anger in my life, and I don't want that for Kai Leigh. We are Christians. I tried very hard from the depths of my soul to hate Anthony, but it wouldn't come out."

The Urban League presented Kai and her mother with the the Lee F. Jackson Achievement Award for bringing their community together despite urban violence. Together they are working to create a foundation called "Forgiveness is the Way."

Other media reports - WCVB's Susan Wornick and Gail Huff - WBZ's Lisa Hughes - Kai on the Early Show - The Boston Globe

I am sure that Kai and her mother will one day see this post, so feel free to leave them your well wishes below.