A Look Back...And A Look Forward....

There is only one New Year's resolution that I have ever kept....and kept on keeping for four years. In 2010, I decided to start a photo project called "Picture of the Day". My resolution was to take at least one photo each day with the intention of motivating myself to use my camera every day, to see the world in new ways, and to create a visual diary of my life.

I can honestly say that I have never, not once, in the past 4 years missed a day and when I look back through the galleries, I am reminded of a thousand little moments that I otherwise would have forgotten, but which added together, make up my life.

There are many recurring themes: family of course, friends (new and lost), travel, jobs, babies, emotions, and simple documentation of some of the day-to-day routines including bills, errands, and drinking wine (which, in my life, is a routine). There have been times when I couldn't find anything that I really wanted to document in a certain day, days when my mind was focused on other things, days when my schedule took and I didn't realize until I'd already crawled into bed that I hadn't taken a picture...but I've gotten out of bed and taken one.

Just like the moments that they represent, these photos aren't all great, they aren't all exciting or wonderful - but that is my life - moments of normal mixed with moments of unbelievable. As I look back through these more than 1500 photos, two things are clear to me:
* I, just like each of you, have been blessed with many moments of wonderful that fill our years.
* And, along with those moments, come moments of sadness, fear, boredom, sickness, and pain.

When I look at the photos that represent some of my low moments over the past few years, I can remember exactly where I was, what I was thinking, and how I was feeling. This isn't your typical New Year's message but we all know it is true...sometimes life sucks.  But then a photo or two later, I would be reminded of a truly wonderful moment. Those are the moments that keep us going, growing, and moving forward.

I plan to continue my resolution into the new year and I have no idea what 2014 will bring but it is certain there will be moments of  joy, moments of beauty, moments of heartache, and moments of quiet.  I'm wishing you a New Year filled with the same... a year of moments that make up your life.

2010

Mollie in California

 

2010

I took this photo of a new bud growing just moments before I heard the news that Jennifer and Joe were going to have a baby. I could never have imagined how wonderful it would be to have grandchildren.

 

2010

Just a "Mary Tyler Moore" moment in Minneapolis

 

2010

And then she was here..Sammy.

 

 

2011

On my birthday in 2011, I went to a live taping of "Polka Spotlight Around The World" (confession: Guilty Pleasure).  I've watched this couple that I call the "Suspender Couple" on many shows. I learned at the taping that they had just returned to dancing after her battle with cancer. They held on to each other...always.  I thought they were beautiful.

 

2011

Ziplining Upside Down in Banff....amazing!

 

2011

Such a beautiful wedding

 

2011

One of many photo projects throughout the year...this one self portraits re-creating famous record album covers. This was my version of Pat Benatar's "Crimes of Passion"

2012

Mollie came home from India. We were so happy to have her home but the first hug went to Christian...her home.

 

2012

And welcoming another grandchild...Joey

 

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2012

Roadtrip to visit the folks in Texas

 

2012

More random silliness photo project - having a glass of wine by my Barbie pool

 

2013

Graduation

 

2013

Times Square with two amazing women - so proud!

 

2013

Celebrating my dad's 85 years

 

2014

STILL TO COME

 

 

 

 

Beautiful! Gorgeous! Wish you were here...Scotland and Ireland

Scotland and Ireland are two places divided by a small section of the Celtic Sea with a respectful rivalry but a shared sense of place. I've visited countless number of hotels, castles, family estates, restaurants, tourism attractions, and unfortunately at least one medical clinic and Scottish doctor. One thing is clear that all these places share is a knowledge of themselves and a fierce pride which made me wonder "what do I know about my own place in this world?"

Both Scotland and Ireland have documented history dating back a thousand year. Castles from the 1500's still stand and host local and foreign visitors. It's possible to look upon the pages of the gospel handwritten in 561 at trinity college in Dublin or sit in the actual chair of Mary queen of scots in Edinburgh. Throughout you will meet people who know the history of these places as well as they know the names and birthdates of their own children. They will tell you the stories of these people as if they had known them personally and stories of these events as if they happened inky yesterday. Woven into their stories is a fierce pride about the history and their connection with the place and the past.

Witnessing such pride, I am disappointed with myself for not honoring my own sense of place with equal passion. For years, I have been interested in my family history and have documented names and dates dating back generations. But I have not given the same attention to the history of my home. I have lived in my hometown for more than  40 years but would be hard pressed to tell a visitor anything about its history and what I do know, I think, we as Americans tend to relate to others with a sense of apology. We seem to dismiss  the beauty of our place, the stories of our past, and the reality of our current culture as though they are something to be disregarded rather than be proud of. Having been witness to the pride of a nation, I am ashamed that I haven't honored my own place in the same way.

We arrive at a place in this world - a place where we live and a place in time.  It is up to us to spend some of our moments learning about our place, honoring our place, and sharing the story of our place with the pride that is deserved. Without shame or apology, our stories have a place in this world no different than the stories of history.

Some notable moments that I have enjoyed over the past few days:
* Walking trough the Old Library at Trinity College in Dublin. The shelves of books reach to the heavens holding words and thoughts of I thousands of people. The smell of dust and history surround you and you can't help but feel such a sense of reverence for  oops, literature, and stories.
* Sitting in the chair of the Speaker at the House of Parliament in Belfast where the peace for a nation at war was negotiated and continues to be nurtured.
* Learning about the healthcare system of another country firsthand (unfortunately) while seeking treatment for an unprecedented and unexpected allergic reaction to....something...as yet undetermined.
* Being serenaded by a particularly toothless yet determined Irish man in a small pub where Guiness and whiskey are both on tap.
* Enjoying a very different kind of serenade by a local guide who sang a beautiful version of "Forty Shades of Green".
* Shooting bow and arrow on the castle grounds where "Game of Thrones" is filmed.
* Watching the sun rise over sea and the Slieve Donard Mountains.
* Enjoying some of the quirkier aspects of art appreciation of the Lords and Ladies of Ireland - including a vignette of stuffed fighting squirrels. My assessment: Weird.
* Learning how to pour the perfect pint at Guinness university.
* Seeing both Scotland Ireland decorated in their finest for Christmas and  hearing everyone wishing a merry Christmas (no politically correct and generic
wishes of happy holidays here).
* Simply having the opportunity to be here and enjoy these moments!