I know we are making our way though the holidays, and it may be too eager of me to jump to 2020 in the past tense. But like many of you, while I’m enjoying this special holiday season with my kiddos, I am looking forward to February, March, and April, when this entire thing feels all the more settled. One month in turned to five, which turned to ten. I can’t believe it. But in looking at pictures this afternoon, I totally can. And though it was hard to document at times (for whatever reason) the photos of this year really brought me some peace as an indiviual and as a parent. I can look back and see our moments of joy, sorrow, and resileince during deeply difficult times. When looking through, I’m not relying on my mind, which can admittedly be faulty if I am trying to comb my parenting memory. More importantly, as we wrap up this year, it has allowed me to see myself and my family with well-deserved grace as eyes.
Which is to say, right now, I can ignore all that went wrong, and focus on what’s ahead. Equally, I can capture the last few weeks of the year in earnest.
I have so many favorites, but the top few always end up being the more intimate ones I captured of the kids sleeping in their beds or mine. Or, the many times they were running around the park and I sat on a bench and watched them move. There was also all the meals at the table, that were so beautiful and routine. There’s beach days too. And a trip to Hudson, of course. Finally, there’s the the early days of March, where almost everyday, there’s a photo of the kids holding hands while on a walk. After Christmas, I’m looking forward to taking some time to combine all of these photographs in a folder to keep.
Anything for you?
I love this sentiment- it rings true for me. Our little one just arrived in November so we don’t have tons of photos of her (and none from the peak of the pandemic), but my absolute favorite is a poorly framed, slightly out of focus shot I grabbed on my phone of her fleeting first smile. I just took it yesterday and can’t stop staring at it, even more than the beautiful images we had done professionally when she was a few weeks old. That smile saves 2020 for me.
Wishing you a safe, healthy and peaceful holiday season.
oh I love that Georgia. And congratulations on the baby!
I love this – I was looking at our photos from the year just yesterday. I have one of my firstborn jumping wildly in muddy puddles days before her little sister was born that I think is my favourite!
It was the peak of the second wave where I live in and a really difficult time.. but there’s my oldest, rounding out her childhood with messy muddy pants and a cheeky smile !
I also love my first photo with my new baby – amidst the masks and hospital gowns – a sea of blue and white – there’s a sleepy little face resting on my bare chest.
Oh wow. This is a great question, Latonya! When I read the title alone, I just stopped for a moment to think of all of the photos I have taken of my kids this year. I’ll have to say my favorite group of photos of my children are when each one of them held their baby sister for the first time (my sixth baby). I had her August 3rd and it was hard not having my five children with us at the hospital to meet their sister. We got home two days later and just to see each of my children’s reaction when meeting their baby sister for the first time really made my heart so happy. Thank you for writing this post because it has now made my day! xoxo