This Bright Winter Morning

The first rays of morning light illuminate their tiny faces as I round the corner of the stairs.

How long have you been holding her like that?  I ask in a scratchy morning voice.

Shhh...she answers.  I think she's having a bad dream.

I remember when my big girl was a baby herself, when I held her for long hours by moonlight, thinking the dark night would never end.  I remember wondering if my own mother held me the same way, if she stayed awake the way I do now hoping the morning will be happy and bright.

She cries sometimes, wishing for a sister, and I feel guilty, knowing I have three and will not offer her even one.  She cries and then one of her favorite littles comes to spend the night, and she's in heaven.  The sisterless know better than anyone how desperately we need each other, how everything changes in the company of another whom we dare to call sister, to call friend.

May you wake, dear shutter sisters, on this bright winter morning, knowing how grateful we are for your company, for your eyes, for your lens, for your unique and beautiful way of seeing each other and this beautiful world.  Merry Christmas.

Leave a comment and win the chance to have one more little surprise to top off your holiday season.  Today's giveaway is the lovely Sisterhood necklace from Blue Poppy Jewelry.

Comments

[missmartha]

With three sisters of my own, I hold my girlfriends close as can be. Every new town I live in, I look to recreate the tightest bond. Thank you for this touching post. Beautiful give-away as well!
Martha

[Kari]

sisters are the best

[devan]

beautiful pic. and i adore the necklace. :)

[Steph]

That photo! It captures the past half hour today with Chas. Priceless moment.

[anna]

What a beautiful capture. Merry Christmas!

[Blazey]

Oh, but how deep the love when you can call one without blood ties "sister".

[Jamie]

Merry Christmas Shutter Sisters! Thank you all for your daily gifts here.

http://umbrellablog.com/holidays/merry-christmas/

[Sharon]

Lovely sentiment. Merry Christmas to all.

[claudia]

checking in late, but wanted to say - just beautiful!

[misty]

what a lovely post. thank you.

[Kate Baumert]

Shutter Sisters - hope you all had a fabulous day :) XOXOX

[Daphne]

I love your posts about your sweet Madeleine. I'm sisterless myself, and always wished for one (although I too, have a lovely younger brother, who -- now that I am older -- I completely adore). Her sweetness towards the littles is so touching.

[Carrie]

Ah, tears!

I'm calling my sister right now...even though she is probably half asleep and only lives 2 blocks away. Thank you.

[Julie Marie]

Happy Holidays!

[Kimmi J]

A very merry Christmas to all....

[Betsy]

Merry Christmas!!

[kayla]

merry Christmas!!

[Holly N.]

Am I too late? Lovely photo.

[Chris]

How beautifully touching that is and what a great way to end my even greater Xmas. Thank you for sharing.

[Ann]

Merry Christmas!

[laura-dolcepics]

Thank you for such lovely sentiments. I love my sisters! Merry Christmas!

[Shama-Lama Mama]

Oh that is the sweetest little pendant ever. Looks like the stars in the sky.
Thank you from one of the sister-less and daughter-less. I love all the men in my life but I hold dear those who I get to call my sisters as well. Merry Christmas.

[Bunny]

What a beautiful Christmas morning. And a beautiful necklace!

[canadacole]

So beautiful! Merry Christmas to you all!

I am one of the sister-less. You feel it from the youngest age. How greatful I was to realize as a young adult that I DO have sisters, sisters of spirit. There is such joy in discovering them.

[Zarah]

What a beautiful post. I am very thankful for my sister.

[mrs. french]

so beautiful...the words, photo and of course the lovely necklace...xo

[Bria]

Although sisters can fight like cats, there are quiet moments that make the scratches worth the sting.

[Helena]

Stunning image ... sisters. Happy Holidays!

[HeidiB]

Beautiful I'm going to call my sisters right now!

[april]

Sweet photo and a beautiful post! Thanks and enjoy your every moments!

[elizabeth]

Peace and Joy.

and thanks, to all sisters, everywhere...

[Christine]

This is a really wonderful story and incredible image!

[Leah G]

Happy holidays (so late for Merry Christmas)! What a lovely picture, made even more touching by the words that go with it.

[littlepurplecow]

Beautiful moment. Great capture, Jen! And Merry Christmas to all.