The year was 1981. My son Erick was two years old and I was the proud owner of my first (and only) 35 mm camera. Erick was my most prominent subject, but I was starting to see other things to photograph as well. One day I discovered his shoes neatly placed on the floor by the window and was struck by how artistically the laces were lying there. I grabbed my camera and preserved the memory forever. It's now 2011. My Erick has a son of his own. Last weekend as we visited, Becky placed Sam's shoes down on the tabletop as she carried Sam up to get ready for bed. The image threw me back in time, 30 years to be exact, and it seemed like history was repeating itself. Out came the camera (this time my digital point & shoot) for The Shoe Shot: The Next Generation.
Forgive me as I reminisce, but I must! Back then, Erick was a happy, independent, inquisitive explorer. He didn't like the vaccum cleaner, thought you could clean the fish tank by putting bubble soap in it, and loved helping me cook in the kitchen- especially when he got to lick the bowl! As a father, he is a strong, steady presence in his children's lives, loving them, holding them and making them laugh with his quirky sense of humor.
There is a part of you that never knows what your children will turn out to be. You do your best to guide them, correct them, encourage them, and ultimately to let them go be their own person. If you've held the right balance in letting go and holding on (because as a parent you never completely let go!), you are blessed with the privilege of seeing your child as a full-fledged person (an adult!!) in their own right. You wonder how it happened and marvel that it did- sometimes without your input altogether! And although you might miss the little blond bundle of energy that ran circles around your feet while you washed the dishes and made the bed, you burst with pride at the young man who hugs you before you leave and says, "Love you Mom!" when you climb into the car to drive away.
@annaruth Thank you Anna- I am definitely a MOM! @httpgeffed Thank you Colleen- I'll look forward to seeing that. You've got some handsome boys! @karenann Thanks Karenann- I was making myself all teary-eyed- good memories of the past; and a very good present!
This is what I love doing....documenting my life, the life of loved ones... The photos are gorgeous and I know they mean so much to you! Because they remind you of your son and his son that you love from thebottom of your heart!
@sanera Thanks Samantha! My guess is that yours will also make you very proud as mine have made me. @kerristephens Thank you Kerri! @dmariewms Thank you Marie! @espyetta Thanks MaryBeth- you have read me like a book! (o:
@alia_801 Thank you Alia! @nicolecampbell Thank you Nicole! @steeler Thank you Howard! @mrssmith Thank you Carla! @cimes1 Thank you Carole! @twinsplusone Thank you sooo much Sharon!
Thanks to all- it is a collage filled with sentiment for me and I'm glad you all liked it!
Beautiful capture of those memories! I love how they look almost identical and your story about the adult still loving you as his mum brings tears in my eyes.
@daveanajao Thank you Dave! @lisjam1 Thank you Lisabell! @geertje Thank you so much Geertje! @sarasdadandmom Thank you Terry!
Thank you everyone! I so appreciate the comments- especially on this one!
@httpgeffed Thank you Colleen- I'll look forward to seeing that. You've got some handsome boys!
@karenann Thanks Karenann- I was making myself all teary-eyed- good memories of the past; and a very good present!
@kerristephens Thank you Kerri!
@dmariewms Thank you Marie!
@espyetta Thanks MaryBeth- you have read me like a book! (o:
@bkbinthecity Thank you bkb!
@nicolecampbell Thank you Nicole!
@steeler Thank you Howard!
@mrssmith Thank you Carla!
@cimes1 Thank you Carole!
@twinsplusone Thank you sooo much Sharon!
Thanks to all- it is a collage filled with sentiment for me and I'm glad you all liked it!
@lisjam1 Thank you Lisabell!
@geertje Thank you so much Geertje!
@sarasdadandmom Thank you Terry!
Thank you everyone! I so appreciate the comments- especially on this one!
@summerfield Thank you so much Summerfield!