Wednesday, February 01, 2012

being in the middle and being stretched




i climbed in the bed last night,
exhausted.
not physically exhausated neceassarily
but mentally exhausted.

the last week to 10 days have been full of so much excitment,
so much newness.
& even more "big" things ahead in the next month..."big" for me anyway.

i looked back over my goals for 2011
& found so much of what i prayed for has come to fruition.
almost all within a relatively super short period of time.
my mind is whirling around with all my to-do's.
thankfully i'm not planning a graduation party
or a wedding!

within 48 hours i had the privilege of photographing
2 beautiful people.
one is miss ruby.
miss ruby is 81 years old.

i also photographed audrey claire
in all her 7 day newness & deliciousness.
(each one i'll share about on their own little feature)
 
pictured right in the middle is me.
almost exactly in the middle of their ages.
right in the middle of two vastly different stages of life 
is me.

i thought it a sweet little ironic reminder to me
that all of our days are so important.
i read the status of one of my daughter's friends on fb the other day
& honestly i made me a little sad.
it was something to the effect of enjoying the happy because it doesn't last forever
but don't worry about the sad because that doesn't last forever either.

now, maybe i was being a little too introspective
but i thought that was so sad.
so temporary,
because our happy moments & how we respond during even the simple
everyday
makes an impact in those around us
forever.
even when we're gone from this earth, a forever imprint on those we love
& those that simply watch us from afar....

i looked at the glorious smile on the face of a woman
who has lived a life of joy for almost a decade
& doubted that she thought the happy things didn't last
or that the hard things didn't weave together with the good
to make her journey a beautiful story that
her great grandchildren she's pictured with
will most certainly always remember
& be inspired with...

anyway...
i'm trying to soak in all that's going on right now.
trying to be thankful for the adventures that i feel were basically dropped in my lap 
from the lord,
trying to push & stretch myself to try new things.

i've never done a session of a senior citizen
& i technically haven't done a newborn session
( not since really learning about my camera).
i didn't want the irony to be lost in the business 
but i'd rather see the two as opportunities for me to grow,
grow in my new skin as a photographer
grow as i bravely sink in to my passion of photography
grow & expand my comfort zone as the lord brings more opportunity into my little world
remember that the happy does weave together with the sad
& form our beautiful tapestry
that does last longer than just the moment...

20 comments:

Kerri said...

Such beautiful and strong words! My father-in-law passed away a few weeks ago and while I did not know him well because he lived out of state, I have gone through the grieving process with my husband, and you know what? It is just like life~it is full circle! After sadness, comes joy knowing that he is with our Heavenly father!
That is such a beautiful picture of you Paige! And are your earrings and bracelet from noonday?
I am off to prepare my lesson plans for the day. Have a great day!

Love Being A Nonny said...

Beautiful. Simply. Beautiful.

mapleandmagnolia said...

Paige, wonderful post. I love how you always make "big picture" connections. You are so real. Lovely photos and hugs to you as you venture into new things!

Rebecca said...

Beautiful post! I am always so encouraged by your words. I just wanted you to know that you really made an impact on my Grandma Sunday. Even from the hopsital last night when I was trying to show her one of the pictures (she doesn't see very good), she said "that Paige sure was a nice woman, I really liked her". Thank you for capturing so many precious moments for us! Sunday was the first time I had seen her really smile and heard her really laugh in a while!

Sibi said...

I love this post! It is sooo you.

I'm gonna need a copy of that picture of you to use for TPE. BEAUTIFUL!!!


I love the picture of Miss Ruby...what an honor to photograph her!!

And I love the picture of that baby....good gracious alive....she is heaven sent! And the pearls...love.

So proud of you my beautiful friend.

I am proud of you for stepping out by faith into so much this year!!

This has started to be one very big and special and comfort zone breaking year for you!! It's only going to get better from here.

p.s. When I am Miss Ruby's age, I want you to take a picture of me just like that! I love that photograph Paige...xoxoxo

Love you so,

Sibi

Jacqueline said...

Beautifully written. I literally love these pictures.

Kacey said...

This is lovely! I love the way you drew a connection between the two - beautifully written.

Kelli said...

beautiful. I really do love how you are so open to sharing your feelings.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh Paige, I absolutely do love you and all of the "simple thoughts" that you post!! You are such an inspiration each and every day :))) Also, I am sooo interested to know which blogs you follow. Have you listed them anywhere on your blog like many of the other bloggers do? Maybe I am missing your list. Adore you sweetie! Ava

3 Peanuts said...

Such beautiful thoughts Paige (and photos too). Love them. Needed to hear this as I wander aimlessly looking for my purpose but afraid to leap. Thank you for always sharing your heart.

Alecia said...

Beautiful words, Paige...and that pic of you is AMAZING!

Between You and Me said...

I adore captured moments in pictures.
I've been thinking lately that I really want some beautiful black and whites of my mom.
She has a lung disease...she struggles to breathe....she hates how she's aged...it'll be nearly impossible to get her in some pictures...but I have to.

I have to have memories of these days with her....

pray with me that she allows it.

your images are beautiful....especially love the one of you!

Shauna said...

Loved your photos, and your thoughts are so real .. that baby is simply beautiful.

christan perona said...

Love this post. Love, love, love.

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

I LOVE this one Paige! It's all about choosing joy right where we are and living in the moment isn't it?

Love that sweet little newborn... can't wait to see more of that!

Oh and I had a question- was going to email you later but since I'm here... what do you recommend for photo editing? Picnik is closing and I've always used it because it's free... can you help me? :)

patty said...

beautiful captures... and a lovely post, too. i love the irony of the two shoots falling in the same week.... :)

LuLu said...

breathtaking pictures! beautiful words! Inspiring!!!
have a wonderful weekend,
xo,
Lulu

Tricia said...

Such a beautiful post Paige and you summed up your feelings perfectly. Trying to absorb all of the goodness and appeciate every second of it. Such a balancing act we have to perform on a daily basis, it is exhausting.
Big hugs to you~ enjoy the weekend.
T

Kat said...

Sweetness! You really have a gift my friend! Well, you have many gifts, truth be told, but photography, well, it just may be your calling. xo

SoSoBella said...

beautiful post paige.