Theme Thursday: HISTORY
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I have been reminded recently of how fleeting is life. Last weekend, I was asked to notarize a friend’s father’s will. He is in the end stages of prostate cancer and can’t leave his home. It is so very sad, but I think it is a small comfort that he is able to spend what time he has left in the comfort of his home.
This past week, we’ve heard hard news about our friends, as well. I have a girlfriend who will have all her “extra” organs removed to combat some spots of cancer that have been found internally. Another friend who is 36 just found out he has Stage 3 cancer in his lymph nodes from cancer found in his boy parts. They both have a long struggle for survival and we hope and pray that they will beat the nasty scourge of cancer.
It brings into view how fleeting our time is with our friends and family. We think they will be here for us when we want to talk to them, but invariabley time passes and they leave us, sometimes quite suddenly. That is why we must remember to preserve those moments we have together.
There is a happy balance with this. I used to approach events where my camera was permanently attached to my body. Now, I bring it out here and there so I can still be in the moment but also document it.
I hear stories about people that don’t want to be photographed at all. Personal image issues run amok in this world and some individuals just don’t want to have themselves photographed. I have discussed my self portrait project (which seems to have been sidelined for this past month or so!), and it is important that if you have these issues…to just let them go. Your family will be thankful for it.
Go out and document your personal history and remember to have some pics of you, too!
Here is a picture my mom took of me and the kids last summer at their house. No makeup on, and Kai is still in his jammies. Now that is real life! LOL!
My brother has always run away from the camera. One time my mom told him the reason she wants pictures is so she can remember him (we lost another brother in 1995 and all we have are pictures). So he’s a bit less reluctant now. I love this picture of you with your children.
Okay…so your pictures are always fabulous, but this one is so entirely incredibly FABULOUS…I hope you have lots more just like it.
Ok Ok!!!there are a lot of things to comment on in this post: but I gotta say first that, that pineapple?????? looks like it is sprouting outa kia’s head…LOL (and I thought that I had it bad with a set of Elk antlers…….)that is a great shot of you and the kids….looks to me like its your hubby who is hard to catch on camera…ROFL.
The rest of the post is very thought provoking..and I don’t know if there is any benefit to knowing or not knowing. And when you really think about it we ALL KNOW…..just not WHEN…Guess we should all live in the moment , and treat it like it will be our last….(it would be a different world I bet) Lot’s and Lot’s of pics is good advice….
Have a great day and rest of the weekend…
P.S. I’m pretty stoked I got my kimber .45 Yesterday can’t wait to get out and smoke some rounds
So… that’s what Mr. Daddy was doing up so early on the computer 🙂
It was bittersweet to read your post. We’ve had a few deaths in the family in the last couple of years, and a close friend who cannot seem to catch a break (a young mother fighting round after round of cancer).
You are so right my friend… we need to let go of our self-image issues and just be part of capturing those memories for our kids. I wish you lived nearby… I am trying to figure out how to find a good photographer to do that for my friend and her two boys. She’s lost 70 pounds from the chemo, no hair, is very tired… but I know her boys will cherish these photos when they’re grown. Is there any button I can push to become a photog like you and do it myself? 🙂
Wonderful picture of you and the kids… though I did have to laugh at Mr. Daddy’s pineapple comment 🙂
I had to go back and look at the pineapple….Thats great! When I first looked at the image I totally loved how “real life” it is, as you said. It reminds me of family photos when I was a little kid. Probably because it is b/w too. :o)
Wonderful post Stacy. I enjoy being reminded of how short and fagile life can be. It always snaps me back into place and reminds me to forget about the hub bub of life and focus on the important things. I have often not brought my camera somewhere because I knew I wanted to be part of the moment entirely.
I love this photo. It is so real. Photos like this one are the ones your kids will cherish when they are older.
Beautiful post, Stacy. I’ve been reminded of the fragility of life lately, too. My grandfather’s battle against cancer isn’t going so well. A little girl – just a few months older than Nadia – overcame leukemia only to contract an infection and she died last week. And then a friend lost her full-term baby girl due to hopsital error. so sad.
Anyhow. I agree about letting go of our issues with being photographed – for the sake of our children. I really don’t have a problem with it, but I’m always the one with the camera and not very good at SPs!
Well said Stacy. Himself, although a photographer by trade has very few photos of his kids and NONE of his mum who passed away before I met her. I know the kids feel it. When I am showing photos album after album of the BA, Small Boy looks wistful and asks his dad “Where are the photos of me when I was little?”
I stumbled across your blog today–I think from a link about a mei tei carrier you made for a friend?
Just wanted to tell you your blog is beautiful, and so is your photography.