the power of an image ~

I have thousands and thousands that I have gathered over the years. They have been backed up and stuffed away in a box always promising to pull them out and do something with them…later, I always say….when I have time. Sadly, the years go by and I realize I haven’t done anything with them….all the while the children get older and I my memory of them as itty bitty children are fading away…

The label simply read Summer 2007. What could possibly be on this? There is nothing else on the label…just Summer 2007. Well, I say to myself, I have a bit of time now… the laundry is in the machine, the kids have been fed and are playing  outside, I have cleaned and scrubbed the bathroom…now seems like as good a time as any time….Slowly the images began to appear on my screen…I just broke down in tears….

The year 2007 was a very difficult year for us. At the end of February 2007, my husband, just shy of his 38th birthday, suffered a heart attack.  He spent a week in the hospital while I kept things going at home as best I could. My goal was to keep things as normal as possible for the kids. I had explained to them what happened and that Daddy was sick, but that he was better and would be getting out soon.  They understood as much as 4 and 2 year old would. 

When these images appeared on my screen, I was flooded with so many different emotions…I was brought back in time remembering such an amazing feeling of peace, calmness, and happiness. It was a perfect evening. My husband and I simply sat back and watched the children running around and playing with eachother. The innocence and beauty of childhood right in front of our eyes…the beauty of OUR family.  At the very same time, I was instantly reminded that this almost didn’t happen…had I lost him, my memories of Summer 2007 would be very very different.

I plan on going through all my images and doing something with them. I want them in special photo albums, and on coffee tables…I want them on the walls of my home, the home we, as a family, have made together. I want these images to also fill my heart with memories that are so fleeting.   Because, you see, my life is my art.

Love Rej xo