discovery

I spend lots of time thinking about what I want to teach her. I want to tell her that the older you get, the greyer life gets, and it's always hard in one way or another. But it's also beautiful, so don't become jaded and worn. Continue to look for what settles you. And It's okay if people aren't happy with you, as long as you're being your own best friend. And if you get married, make sure he has social skills because you won't want to baby-sit him at parties. And there's a God who's really big, who has your best interest in mind, so try to spend time with him. And it's okay to ask the pedicurist when was the last time that she sanitized that bowl. And on and on. And then I worry and worry. And worry more. Because I'm afraid I might not be doing it "right".  

Then I see a photograph like this. It was a surprise to me, until I downloaded it. This little moment of her, right before she blew out three whole candles on her birthday cake. I marveled when I found it. Her little life. She's circled the sun just three times. Yet she looks like she carries secrets to the universe in her pocket. And then I realize that for everything I want to tell her, teach her, show her...the exchange will be mutual. And I'm happy to be humbled.

What about you? Download any surprises recently? 

Comments

[Shannon]

I can't decide if my favorite line from this post is "make sure your husband has social skills" or that "the exchange will be mututal". Either way, beautifully said.

[shelli]

What a beautiful post. I feel the same what about my little one.

[Lan]

lovely post! life does get grey but grey is my favorite shade and so life is beautiful :)

http://whatiseeclicks.blogspot.com/2008/09/momentofinspiration.html

[Michelle S]

I love this post. I have daughters, too.

I was sitting with my girl, Sarah, this afternoon and I took this photo of her when she was doing her homework. Later, I noticed that I caught her sweet little knuckles in the shot. I love those little knuckles with their dimples. http://www.flickr.com/photos/26029966@N02/2844367369/

[tracey]

waaaaaaaaah. i am a puddle. your words only make this shot sweeter and it breaks my heart. sigh.

[Ma']

You're doing everything right.
Way right.

[Ma']

P.S. - That's the kind of writing that pisses me off.
#1- For making my mascara run.
and #2- That I never thought to say it that way.
You write more beautifully than my favorite Sue Monk Kidd.

[melody is slurping life]

...just three times...

and she does look as though she holds THE secret, and I do believe you are doing it right.

Funny, I found an expression unknowingly captured of my son on his bday Monday. A secret wish...

http://flickr.com/photos/melsphotophun/2845281532/

[Marcie]

It's all good. Amazingly - they have as much to teach us as we have to learn...

http://bravo.unisonplatform.com/~marciesc/index.php?showimage=515

[Jen A.]

I am a complete blubbering mess at 5:30 in the morning reading your poignant words...

I have no surprise photo to share.

Just a soggy tissue.

Well written, Maile.

[ELK]

Maile yes indeed ~ fast forward 13 years ~ she teaches me everyday and I am also ~ humbled

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sammymom/2703778891

[~ kristina ~]

I have nothing too deep to offer today, but I was surprised yesterday when looking back at pics of our pink magnolia from February to find a shot that I actually liked...have a hard time shooting those trees!

http://meadowlarkdays.blogspot.com/2008/09/memories-of-spring.html

[Wayfaring Wanderer]

I took a photo while I was making a meal, but didn't think it would come out too well.....once I downloaded it, however, I liked it very much. Enough so to share the recipe as well!

http://wayfaring-wanderer.blogspot.com/2008/09/blackberry-roasted-chicken.html

[Becki Hansen (a.k.a. Sockrma18)]

Wonderfully written and I HEAR YA. I worry about what I am teaching my girls and what they are REALLY hearing when I talk to them. :)

This picture was a huge surprise to me....just took it a few days ago and I thought it was not going to turn out. When I downloaded it I swear it was God showing me (AGAIN) His beauty and what He has made for us to see every day.

http://outoftheashesphotography.blogspot.com/

[abbey]

when I downloaded this I was shocked with how it turned out....
I loved it & him! :)

http://www.photoblog.com/abbeyh13/2008/08/04/guide-us-with-your-grace.html

[Gayle]

Maile, what a beautiful post. I am also humbled by what my children teach me. Here are some fun surprises I got when downloading images from my point and shoot camera recently:

http://planetmfiles.com/2008/09/10/downloaded-surprises/

They are shots my youngest son took!

[Paige]

Amen on finding a husband that you can leave alone at a party with confidence!

[jfrancis]

Those eyes
look to the future.
While holding your hand
her steps to maturity
are all you have
and all you need.

[Agnes]

Love your website and your images. They're so inspiring! Makes me itch to shoot tomorrow. Keep up the excellent images!!

[Lex]

It is a completely and totally depressing idea that "the older you get, the greyer life gets." Is that really true?

[Lauren]

Wow! Wow photo! Wow story! Wow!

[Kate Baumert]

http://happyinthehamptons.blogspot.com/2008/09/al-likes-my-camera.html

My fiancee Al wouldn't consider himself a photographer. But I think his pics are neat-o so I gave him his own blog entry. What a nice discovery for me - a fellow artist!

[Jodyangel]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/2828112676/

...a precious moment caught by someone. I love this girl!!

[gonzomama]

not the greatest picture by far, but it is great for a laugh. oh boy.

http://flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/2454027521/in/set-72157603845082673/

[brittany]

i found this one on the computer a few weeks ago, and i have no idea who took it or where it came from...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sivyerfamily/2660659339/

[Cheryl Doran-Girard]

I didn't think I got this one--not as good as I would like but nonetheless a surprise.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheryldoran-girard/2846860610/

[kristin]

this shot to me was a surprise. i knew when i saw the cloud it cuaght my eye. something strange yet appelaing so i shot and continued walking along the beach. then when i uploaded it it took on a whole new quality. a stage or dream. and others commented the same. it was a nice surprise and i love it more each time i look at it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/2837711360/

[buttercupyaya]

this is my first post, though I've been watching you all religiously for months.
I recently did a Trash the Dress shoot with my girlfriends. When I uploaded the digital images to my PC, I found this one. I took it with my wide angle lense (that I am still trying to figure out) and loved the effect it gave from across the street on a sunny day.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30403454@N06/2847097682/

[jag]

Those of you with children have the benefit of constant in-house photo fodder - plenty of surprises! Those of us without children can nap whenever we want to. :-)

I was surprised to find a hidden visitor on this bloom. Never saw it when I was shooting...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jagspace/2799597085/in/set-72157606064294651/

xox

[carrie]

that was so touching!!!

This is a shot I didn't think would work but it reminds me that sometimes life is prettier when just a little out of focus.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2847314032/

[Julie Alvarez]

Isn't that what we all mamas do? Worry. Am I doing ir right?...
Maybe if we look at our children as if they were someone else's we would see that we are. We are doing it right, as long as we care.
This was a surprise for me: I took this one shooting so very uncomfortably over my bag and shoulder, and not being able to really see the viewfinder, and mixing the buttons up... But then I saw how nice it turned, and how I captured what I wanted to capture.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2847614840/

[Anne]

This post was a great end to my day. Thank you!


My state of mind can be summed up in this photo...
http://bp3.blogger.com/_FqSUWR0EXUI/SI6Aiq2JkkI/AAAAAAAAAd8/uOvBUJWIwd4/s1600-h/IMG_3266.jpg

[Krista]

You made me get just a little bit teary-eyed with this one.

Here's just a few that make me stop and take stock, that make me recognize life through a child's eyes:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3080/2754691153_fb5b720cd9_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3218/2664965681_5b161e58c1_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3194/2643634776_2450cc5383_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/2609625062_29ed201e13_b.jpg

[Rachel Brooke]

Beautifull written, Maile. You should publish this! Your daughter is so blessed to have a mother who worries over her and does everything in her power to make sure she becomes the best person she can be.

[emily]

Oh, I just love this.

Lovely.

[mrs. french]

this post makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside and brings me great comfort as a momma of a three-year-old. Thanks for making my day.

[Amanda Keare]

You write so beautifully and captured such an inexplicable feeling so tenderly. I'm not a mom yet, but my nephew is the same age as your daughter, and I immediately sent this link to my sister!

I'm sure you are doing an amazing job, by the way!

[diane schuller]

Your posts light up my world. And now this one almost makes me want to cry. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.