Good light is hard to find in our house at any time, but it’s even worse in the winter. Luckily there seems to be one or two pockets of light to be found in at least a couple locations in our house. For this months’ 10 on 10 I thought I’d share ten images taken in those pockets of light. This post is part of a monthly blog circle. To continue the circle, following a group of photographers all sharing ten images from either a theme or a day or simply the previous month, follow the link at the bottom of this post.
To continue this blog circle visit Nikki Gould’s beautiful work!
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Don’t stop asking if you can hug me
There we were driving over the back roads to the small Christian school my son attends and just like that summer was over.
Sure we had one more day before school officially began but on that humid summer night I felt a tight feeling in my chest and knew it was because the carefree days when I could hug him on a whim anytime throughout the day had come to an end for another year.
Here we were – his fifth grade year.
Fifth grade.
I felt a catch in my spirit. I mentally reached out for an imaginary lever to slow it all down but like usual the lever wouldn’t work.
I was sure it had only been a few weeks since I’d walked him into that school for the first time, him frightened and crying because he didn’t want me to leave. I cried too, all the way home, and at home.
At the end of each day I picked him up and he ran fast to me across the gym with his arms wide open and the widest, most excited smile on his face.
His hair was soft against my cheek and I loved the way he leaned into me, his comfort at the end of a long day.
On this night, a parents night to learn more about the new year and meet new staff, he ran away from me to see what was new. He’s independent now, excited for a new year and in some ways he doesn’t need Mom anymore.
But then there are those nights I hear him at my bedroom door and he tiptoes into the darkness and I ask what’s wrong.
“Can I have a hug?” he’ll ask, like he often does throughout the day, no matter where we are.
“I just need a hug,” he says, and I know he wants to sleep next to me for the rest of the night.
I give him the hug and let him sleep next to me because I know one day he won’t want me to hug him or hold him, at least not very often .
I kiss his head on those nights and I feel his hair soft against my cheek and I close my eyes.
I breathe it all in because for these few moments, maybe a few hours, he needs me to be his comfort again.
Dad’s reflection
Four on Four for October
This is part of a blog circle with Clickin Moms that showcases four photos on the fourth of the month! At the bottom of the post you’ll find the next link in the circle.
This past month we’ve been trying to enjoy our outside time as much as we can because we know those days we can spend playing in the fresh air are limited once the leaves start falling and the snow starts covering our ground.
Continue the circle with Chrissy Mazer
10 on 10 for July | Owego NY Photographer
The month of June was so busy I felt like I was spun in 20 different directions. I was and am grateful for the slow down times, the times when the kids and I can just explore and enjoy our time together, whether it is at a local creek or simply in our backyard. Of course I enjoy when my husband can be there as well but in the late afternoon and evening it is usually just the children and I while my husband is at work.
We spent one day exploring an almost bare creek bed and another making mud in the yard. Sometimes I feel like I have to entertain my children every day, but I know that’s ridiculous because when I was growing up my parents sent me outside and told me to figure out some way to entertain myself. Of course, we lived in the middle of the nowhere so that involved climbing trees or digging in dirt or walking my Barbies through the yard. My family lives in town now so I’m less interested than sending my children out on their own to “figure it out,” but there are days I still encourage them to find an activity that will entertain and doesn’t need to be hooked to wifi.
Today’s post is part of a blog circle with a group of cool ladies from The Bloom Forum. To continue the circle, click on Madalyn Rael Photography and find out what she’s been up to the last month and, of course, see some gorgeous images as you continue around the circle of photography blogs.
Whose kid is that?! | Sayre, Pennsylvania Child Photographer
I just couldn’t believe the sight of that tiny toddler body laying flat on her face at the end of the checkout line in silent protest of her unwillingness to move where her mother wanted her to go. Wow. What drama. Whose child was this? That mother must be so embarrassed.
Oh wait.
That was my child laying motionless and whimpering on the floor at Walmart and I wasn’t embarrassed. In fact I laughed when I peeled her off the floor and gently placed her against my shoulder, only to have her squirm away and back to the floor so she could push the cart by herself, sqwakingin protest if her brother and I tried to help.
I don’t laugh every time Little Miss shows her sassy, temperamental side, which is more and more these days, but I’ve been starting to accept that this is the new normal for a bit as we careen toward birthday number two. The acceptance is coming only through a lot of prayers, many uttered through gritted teeth and beginning with my mom’s favorite phrase “Lord, give me strength.” So far I’ve been able to mostly avoid dragging my hand across my forehead or through my hair like Mom does when she says those words but if you see me one day and my hair in the front is frizzed and sticking up you’ll know it was one of those days I lost sight of some of my resolve and God-given peace. .