As a kid, I never worried about anything. Everything was taken care of for me. My folks did a perfect job of raising me and provided me with all I could ask for and more. As an adult, my search for peace, love and joy isn't always as easy. There's been a few miss steps in my life. I've made a few screw ups. It's par for the course. They happen. I try to always apologize for my mistakes, own up to them and learn and grow from them. I try not to dwell on them, but sometimes I wake up sad. I wake up mad at myself. I wake up thinking about all the joys in my life and can't help but cry a little. Well, not cry cry, but that moment when your eyes fill with tears and you get that lump in your throat. Ya, maybe I'm just one of those sensitive types who needs to wipe my eyes and move on with life, but sometimes I like to live in those moments a little. Maybe a little too long. I like to let those tears sit in my eyes and think about all I have to be thankful for. Today is one of those days.
Yesterday I did my first infant photography shoot. A family was kind and trusting enough to visit my little studio and give me a shot at capturing some precious moments of their little one on his half birthday. Not even a year old and it was obvious this kid was going to grow up with all the peace, love and joy he needs. Just a few years ago, I was busy photographing his mom and dad on the hardwood as star prep athletes playing basketball. His dad had a jump shot like you wouldn't believe. His mom ran the show on the court as the point guard and had a way about her you couldn't help but love to watch. As I watched the young couple get their little guy ready for his studio photo shoot, it made me think a little.
Ya, surprise surprise, Brian got a little nostalgic. I thought back on the love I received growing up and how family can help shape a young child into the adult you want them to be. To me, that idea carries with it a whole lot of responsibility. A daunting amount. Yep, there's a lot to it. A mom and dad will need to fill that boy's life with peace, love and joy for 18 years. And then he's an adult and it's done, right? No, when that young adult questions life and seeks answers, he's gonna call on you. Like me, he might wake up with tears in his eyes some days; wondering where his life is going. He's gonna wipe those tears and need you more than ever for comfort. He's gonna call on you for answers you don't have. If he finds small pockets of happiness in life that are stolen from him, he's going to feel angry, frustration and confusion and call you looking for answers. Be ready.
I'm not going to sit here and pretend I have all the answers. I've never been a dad. I'm sure that in your half year as parents, you've surely learned more than me about parenting, but I will encourage you to look at the pictures we captured yesterday, slow down your busy lives a little and take a second to live in each moment for a bit. Enjoy them for what they are and realize that the joy you felt in studio yesterday, and the joy you feel looking into the eyes of your newborn will not last forever. Soon he'll be one. Then the terrible twos you've heard about. He'll mature into a toddler and turn your young worlds upside down. That toddler will grow into a young boy who will surprise you with the way he sees the world. He'll dazzle you with his intelligence, make you laugh in ways you didn't think possible and create memories you'll never forget. He'll love you unconditionally and fill you with the greatest joy possible on this earth. Ya, let's end this knowing that you're in for quite a ride. Thanks for sharing a little of it with me.
