2020 has been hard. And I won’t even pretend to understand how hard it’s been for everyone else. I have a pretty active imagination, but I know I couldn’t even imagine some of the situations you have had to deal with.
I’m so sorry.
I keep hearing people say (or write–cause let’s be real, I’m not really talking to a whole lot of people right about now), “I wish things would just go back to normal.”
But honestly, I think we could wish for so much more! After all, we weren’t exactly living in a utopia before.
We will all come out of this time changed.
We will never be exactly who we were before. But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
I recently read an article entitled “Little Kindnesses Are Everything.” My main takeaway was the idea that the small–and big–things we are doing (the actions we’re taking, the choices we’re making, the conversations we’re having) will become who we were during this time. And, in turn, that will become who we are after it.
During the past two months, I have really enjoyed gardening. You wouldn’t be able to tell it from our empty front flower beds, but our backyard has never looked better! I have roses! And parsley! And cilantro! And I’ve been growing broccoli microgreens! I love planting seeds and watching them grow. When seeds are first sprouting, they transform from perfectly smooth, hard grains into something that, to me, resemble tiny white explosions. I can’t imagine how painful that process must be. They are changing from a tiny round object to a living, growing, thing. I don’t know all the science behind the process, but I have been so energized as I’ve witnessed hundreds of seedlings sprout into tiny green plants. It is truly awe-inspiring.
I think this is our opportunity to sprout. We have been seeds, easily tossed by the wind or carried off by birds or squirrels. Now we have the opportunity to sprout. To grow roots. To grow tall. We get to lean into the light and let it nourish us. And we can choose to bloom.
This is a temporary situation.
Obviously not as temporary as we’d like, but it will eventually subside. My hope is that we are profoundly better, more loving, and more joyful individuals and families than we were before.
Besides gardening, I have also loved going through old family photos with my kids. Their laughter takes on a whole new genuine tone when they are watching themselves singing the wrong lyrics to songs on video (my personal favorite is my third son at 19 months singing “Christmas is coming! The goose is getting flat!” It’s adorable and I’d almost forgotten how often he sang it that way all season.). They loved seeing pictures of them going places and playing with toys they’d completely forgotten about. It made me realize that I can’t stop documenting our lives. There is magic in it. I read an article that pointed out the value of family photos:
“It lets children learn who they are and where they fit,” says Judy Weiser. a psychologist, art therapist and author based in Vancouver. “They learn their genealogy and the uniqueness of their own family and its story. When a child sees a family portrait with them included in the photograph they say to themselves: ‘These people have me as part of what they are, that’s why I belong here. This is where I come from.”
Weiser has spent more than 20 years using all manner of personal photography to assist in the treatment process of her clients. She is considered by many to be the foremost authority on these treatment techniques, called PhotoTherapy.
As we have tried to include our children in more family councils and big decisions (like school next year), we want to help them to feel that they belong and they are valued within our family. I had no idea that when I started showing them old photos it would become one of our favorite things.
Our lives are not on pause right now. We can continue to move forward. We can continue to grow and we can continue to inspire and foster growth in our children. I am hopeful about who we are after this.
Blogiversary to the Rescue!
If you need more family photos to help your children learn who they are and where they fit in, today’s your lucky day!
Today’s blogiversary giveaway is available to people who live in–or are willing to travel to–Houston. My beautiful friend Anel is giving one lucky winner an outdoor family portrait session, valued at $400! The prize includes a virtual pre-session consultation to help you prepare, the on-location session experience, a private online gallery of artistically rendered portraits, and downloading of all the high-resolution digital files with personal license. If you live in the Houston area or know someone who does, or have always wanted to check out the 4th largest city in America, this prize is AMAZING!
And, Houston friends, Anel is offering a 15% discount for teachers, first responders, service members (active duty, reserve, and veterans) with ID. Check out her gorgeous work here.
Lestage Photo + Film Blogiversary Giveaway
I feel the same, this challenge will change us, it is up to each of us to use this opportunity to improve ourselves!
That is a spectacular give-a-way!!
I love this so much. I love how you see beauty and growth in even the tiny seed. Ryan just showed us a video he put together of our videos from 2018. I am so grateful that he does that. Our kids love watching these videos over and over. I never thought about the psychology behind this but it makes so much sense. We would love a new family photo to share in our home! Thanks Alissa!