If Anyone Will See

Stacks of paper, simple lines, tiny bowls of paint.  Plowing through an impossible task, wondering if the end will be nearly as satisfying as the brush in water, the color unfurled.  Wondering if anyone else will see the beauty in the details or the careful lines drawn from the outline of my deepening heart.  Picking up the camera, holding it to my chest and shooting out to the desk, just to see what the lens will choose.

You are beautiful, the story reads.  And I want it to be true.  For my paintings, for my soul, for our hopeful world.

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What words are peaking out in the picture book of your lens today?  Your pictures are our delight in the comments below.

44

waited:now:change:finally:new:hope:courage:peace:joy:fresh:unexpected:truth:character:progress:

breakthrough:inclusive:start:different:excitement:rush:open:community:organized:optimistic:

unprecedented:historic:believable:young:ready:clear:service:dedication:humility:

family:now:euphoric:wise:challenging:more:engaged:level-headed:reasonable:mature:good.

Forty-four words for the forty-fourth president.  No matter what your political ideals, your eye today through the lens turns on history.  Whatever you shoot is whatever your kids will see, ten, fifteen, twenty years from now when the idea of this man at this time in this White House will be considered a matter of course.

As I write, at least forty-four dishes are being washed in my kitchen as all day long friends and family called from as far away as Massachussetts to say they couldn't let this celebration go without being able to say, We were there.  So we threw more rice in the pot, put another can of black beans on the stove and feasted all night as the house filled with the happiness of change, a new day and the hope that in the morning it really will be a brand new world.

What are your forty-four words today?  What's the shot you'd like to contribute to family history.  Leave your links in the comments, then check out the others who participated with Melissa--the brilliant woman who came up with this idea.  I'll be looking for my historic shot as my dear ones brave the National Mall, a few Metro stops away.

The Way It Is

Sometimes you don't have it in you to smile for the camera.

Sometimes your mind is on other things--like bills and work and kids and the fact that there's way too much going on and too little time.

Sometimes you are just too tired to do anything at all.

Sometimes it's just the way it is. You hope against hope that things won't completely fall apart.

But then.

Sometimes everything changes and you have exactly what you need to keep going. Someone comments on your photo. Someone asks you to document their most important life event. Someone wants to help you build a house. Someone wants to make a difference. Someone says (a few thousand times over) that what you're doing is important. That you shouldn't go it alone.

And that's the way it is, too. At least, that's the way it is, out here on the wild, wild web. Where friendship and kindness so often translate into tangible, real world support. Aren't you glad, dear friends, this is where our road together bends?

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dedicated to our friends at JPG Magazine with so much love and hope.  we're wishing you the best.

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.

Joy to the World

All year long I've been telling stories on Shutter Sisters about Rwanda and my dear friend Odette who has been separated from these dear girls for three long, excruciating years.  Though no one knows for sure, this morning feels like Christmas as we're getting little bits of encouraging news about the girls and the future of this amazing family.  If you've been following this story and want to spread a little Christmas cheer, stop by here and help us make a little more magic happen as we continue to make a way for the little house that love built.

Our yummy giveaway today is a handmade sterling silver bracelet from the Friends Association.  The bracelet, designed by Portland artist Eliza Saucy has the inscription:  Isn't it amazing what one woman and her friends can do?  You can see this lovely bit of goodness and read the inspiring story behind it here.

As always, all month long, leave a comment and get a chance to be the winner of this beautiful bracelet.