A Lesson ReLearned

I had the opportunity last week to take some portraits for a family I had yet to meet.  I knew they wanted outdoor photos, and I kind of wondered how that was gonna turn out.  It was scheduled for the Friday right after Thanksgiving.  There were 15 family members and an unknown (to me anyway) count of dogs.  Dogs don't bother me, I've got plenty myself.  There were horses and cats.... I'm good with all that.  I just couldn't imagine how they were gonna do comfortable photos outdoors, where they live.  Where they live is windy and on Friday was BITTER Biting Cold.  To top it off, this was a bit of a family reunion, with half of them just arrived a day or so before, from sunny and warm California.  hmmmmmmmmmmm.......

We get there, introduced ourselves and see so many smiling faces I thought how could it go wrong?  Everyone came outside for portraits in front of their beautiful home.  The home with huge Icecicles hanging over their heads.  The fun was only just starting.  It immediately struck me that all families should be this way.  They aged from early teens to...hmmmmmm...I really don't know...but over 50 I guess...more possibly.  I never got a bad shot.  To top it off, they were a dang good lookin' family and they just never quit smiling and being happy.  Yep, they were cold.... and kept getting colder, but they never waivered in their happiness at being together on this day....the day after Thanksgiving.  I'd get good shots, and they'd all shift and change locations.... from the house, to the back of the house, to the round corral (Yep, they climbed up on those steel rails and perched for photos there too)  ...they took pics inside their hay barn.  They took pics all together, smaller families, all girls, all boys, all girls with Grandma, all girls with Grandpa, and the variations never ended. 

Their tender loving care of Grandma was touching to me, and when I learned that Grandma had recently 'beat' cancer, well..... I fell in love with that family.  I was nearly already in love with them, but that tipped me over the edge. 

They were ALL courteous, and took care to make sure I had the time for set up, and whatever I needed.  After awhile, I didn't feel the cold much any more...warmed by the feeling they were giving me. 

I've thought alot about that day, and that family.  I know I've coached my kids about politeness and being on 'good behavior' .... and my kids were always polite and on good behavior.  They never let me down.  This family made me so dang proud of them (and they're not even mine!)  Those kids were so happy, and NEVER once did I see a sullen pouty face at being asked to do this.  And I've seen lots of kids that I couldn't have blamed, really, when you see their family nagging at them to be good.  (or else)  That was not happening here in the slightest.  And I had started looking for it, in amazement. 

I wanted to blog on this because it encourages me to know that this type of family is still alive and well.  I wanted to share with YOU that this can be a goal.  I have a great family, but  a lesson was reinforced here, that I want never to let go of.  I can't quite put it into words, but it's something about.......... 

Provide Genuine Love and Happiness, and it will come back at you from all of them.  Be a safe & warm place, to come and get back in touch with the basics of the value of family.  Genuinely love them, so they have no reason NOT to be there happily. 

Here is a great family

These are from California.  They were loving the snow, and wanted "Jump" photos.  How beautiful is that background?

All the women

All the men

Lucky Grandpa, with all his loving family women

Brother and his sisters.  And bunny ears

This Grandma is so loved.  She told them all to wear Red, White, or black.  And left it up to them.  It was beautiful

The sun going down behind them

Imagine the giggling and the "brrrrr" ing here.  These kids loved each other.  They didn't finish the photos and then go their separate ways.  They pulled off their boots and stuck their toes at the fire and sat and had more great times. 

This is so true.  These were on their wall.  hmmmmmmmm.....like it's supposed to be.

Please, let's all have this as a thought for the day.

Lesson learned, thank you

Jessie