Enjoy The Moment: 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"