Team-Up Thursday

Week 18 Theme – Out of Focus

Just not feeling it this week for some reason.  And figured I’d rather not force it.  That would just take all the fun out of it.

Team-Up Thursday

Week 17 Theme – Hot & Cold

Mine on the left; Gini’s on the right.

I must admit I kinda mailed this one in this week.  The days got away from me, despite finding out about the theme very early on.  The kiddos have been sick, and I couldn’t seem to get past the most obvious interpretation, as evidenced by my faucet picture.  Funny thing is – I was working through some other ideas that would have ended up being pretty similar to Gini’s, which I love, by the way.  Aren’t the flames on a gas stove just the most beautiful color?  Kinda match nicely with the purple in my bathroom…

Looking forward to hopefully being a bit more creative next week.

Team-Up Thursday

Week 16 Theme - MOM

Ummm, yeah…Gini's on top, mine on the bottom.  So, great minds think alike, right?

I must admit, though, this isn’t where my mind went initially.  When I first saw the theme for this week, my initial thought for the subject of my photo was myself.  My second thought was of my Mom.  And when that thought came to me, I instantly felt guilty for having had the first.  I thought that I must be awfully self-centered that my mind didn’t immediately go to my own mother when I saw the word Mom.  I wondered if after 23 years of not seeing her face or hearing her voice, she was starting to lose that place in the forefront of my mind.  But after giving it some thought, I realized that wasn’t it at all.  And, I found that the real reason was something to be happy, not guilty, about.

I realized that, for me, Mom has become my identity.  It’s more than my title; it’s who I am.  It’s how I think of myself, and not just in terms of my babies, but also with my husband.  I’m not only his wife, but the Mom to his children.  And it’s a role I cherish.  So, I guess it’s only natural that this is where my mind would go when I see the word Mom.  It’s because on that day when I first became one, I came to realize the depth of the love that comes with that title.  I came to understand how my own Mother must have felt for us three, and in that understanding, I felt even closer to her.

Anyway, back to the diptych.  I love that we both had the same thought, and love that both shots have flowers – life to offset the death.  Gini obviously thought to bring some with her, unlike me.  =)

What it means to me….

M aking the most of every single moment.  Having lost my mother at 17, I don’t want to waste a single second with my children.

O ffering a hug or a kiss or a song (even though I can’t carry a tune) to comfort my kids when they are sad or sick or scared.

T eaching my kids to be loving, compassionate and kind.  It’s my job, and definitely a work in progress.

H onoring the traditions and values I was raised with, and sharing them with the next generation.

E arning the love they give so unconditionally.  It’s important for me to live up to their expectations.

R elishing every laugh, every smile, every milestone, and burning them into my brain because the time passes all too quickly.

Happy Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day, Moms!

I wish you all a day of feeling appreciated and loved!