The Thanks You Give in Your Heart

An unexpected announcement.  A hug. A kiss. A split second you will forget completely, I promise you, save for the audacity of the click, that one step forward into the fray where all the magic unfurls right before your eyes.

Don't bother looking for beauty today. Everything qualifies. Don't bother asking for permission. Everyone already knows that this is what you do.  So do not disappoint. Search for the unusual moment. Watch for the edges of happiness. Document even the silliness, the awkwardness. Even this belongs.

This is your family. These are your people. The emotion you feel for them today will be nothing but a memory, and even this will fade. You do not know what your next year holds. You cannot assume all will be even the smallest bit the same. All you truly have is this moment, this one episode of magic held captive in your frame. 

So take it. Dive into the madness today, friends. Put yourself in the middle and shoot until you find your bliss. Your document will be one part history, one part testament to the thanks you gave in your heart. That you found each other, when there could have been so many misses. When so much of life could have left you apart, amiss, astray.

Happy Thanksgiving, sisters on this side of the pond and beyond. We give thanks for you today.

Comments

[Barbara Paulsen]

Loved this!

[melody]

I could not love any words any more. Jen, Happy Life to you!

[Jamie]

I love this post. I won't be with my family this Thanksgiving, and all this week I've been looking back on photos from years past. I'm so glad that I have them: the good, the bad, and the goofy.

and even though my family is far away, I'm still going to capture today because that's who I am and that's what I do. thanks for the reminder!

[xanthe]

SO good! x.

[melissa]

this is beautiful ..

[Carole]

This post is perfect and just what I needed to read this morning as I was contemplating whether to even bother bringing my camera to the Thanksgiving feast. Because of you I will get into the middle of things, I will try and capture the crazy moments, and I will have fun being a photographer. Happy Thanksgiving!

[bettie]

just beautiful. no apologies!

[Sherry G.]

Wonderful post, Jen! I would only add to make sure to get in some of those crazy, funny shots yourself! Don't be missing from the record in years to come.

[Jean]

My feelings exactly! Thank for your wonderful post!

[Jeanne]

Thank you for this reminder. I'm off to charge my camera and hopefully grab a couple memories to keep for later.

[Kristina]

LOVE!

[Kim Klassen]

i have tears.... love you jen lemen..... xo

[Diane M. Schuller]

Aw Jen, what great advice. I hope to retain the audacity to take those photos at those unexpected times. Happy Thanksgiving to you down there in the USA.

[Valerie]

Beautiful! Thank you.
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