I have almost 450 videos and 2500 pictures of Andrew, including 120 pictures from this day alone. And yet every time I look through my files, I wish I had taken more. I wish I had 1000 from this day, because it's one of my favorite ways to remember him. I wish I had hundreds of thousands. Heck, I wish I had five months worth of constant high definition video.
I think this is why I love photography....because you can capture a moment that can never be retrieved. Obviously not everyone has issues like we did with Andrew, but it's still just as important. Your kid/dog/grandmother/sister is only going to look exactly like that once; if you don't record it, you may have to rely on fuzzy memories later. The only difference is that we can't go into the nursery and update those memories with a current view.
Even if there's not a person in the picture, your memory of a time and place can still be triggered by a picture. There are tourist destinations I've been to a few times (Paris, Venice, Athens, Rome), but the pictures from each trip evoke entirely different memories, even if they're of the same monuments. Even if you're never going to print/post/frame/hang the picture, just taking it then looking at it yourself later is worth the effort. Trust me. Every time I stumble across the picture above, it's worth it.
I think this is why I love photography....because you can capture a moment that can never be retrieved. Obviously not everyone has issues like we did with Andrew, but it's still just as important. Your kid/dog/grandmother/sister is only going to look exactly like that once; if you don't record it, you may have to rely on fuzzy memories later. The only difference is that we can't go into the nursery and update those memories with a current view.
Even if there's not a person in the picture, your memory of a time and place can still be triggered by a picture. There are tourist destinations I've been to a few times (Paris, Venice, Athens, Rome), but the pictures from each trip evoke entirely different memories, even if they're of the same monuments. Even if you're never going to print/post/frame/hang the picture, just taking it then looking at it yourself later is worth the effort. Trust me. Every time I stumble across the picture above, it's worth it.
This is one of our favorite photos of our sweet grand-baby, and on the fridge at this very moment. I kiss him/it sometimes--he is too cute!-- and wish we had been there in person for no tubes! My other favorite is the photo where he is smiling--especially since I was there and saw that wonderful, unbelievable smile--what a gift. We are lucky you are such a talented photographer and you are immortalizing our family, esp. Andrew. :)
ReplyDeleteLove you, Mom and Jer
Thank you for sharing this lovely picture of Andrew again! He is so, so precious! I know there are lots of pictures in past posts but it was nice to check in today and see his beautiful face! And you are so right, pictures are so priceless because so many moments just pass us by. We love and miss him! We love and miss you too!!
ReplyDeleteAnnie and the boys
I miss Drew too.
ReplyDeleteDear J and D,
ReplyDeleteIt touched my heart to see the beautiful picture of Andrew again. I love you and think of you so often.
Denise
I love that picture...also the one where he is making his "kissing" face...so cute. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletemy both parents died many years ago when i was still quite young - and to this day when i return to the house where i grew up , happen upon a photo of us together, or even just the two of them together before they had my brother and myself - i smile. it is happiness and pain at the same time, but the happiness always wins. always. i know i am fortunate for that day, that ONE DAY in that photo.
ReplyDelete