Posted by Serenity in family, travel | 7 Comments
this post also explains why I didn’t blog much this week.
I blame Rosie O’Donnell. We’ve been on vacation this week. It’s the last day. And I have no pictures. Not a single one. Why do I blame her? Because in one of her books she talks about scrapbooking and how obsessed she is with it and that in some ways she thinks taking so many pictures of life is a way of not fully living it. Some things you read just go straight to your heart, and that one did. I’ve never been one of those real scrapbookers with the acid-free paper and curlie-cues and such. But I have been a bit of a memory catcher, and something about that observation just zinged me.
I especially take advantage of the idea at my children’s school plays. This is a moment that simply cannot be captured on film. First of all, gym lighting is very, very poor. Second, they always look so much farther away than they were. Third, if you have a camera in front of your face for even one second when there are elementary-aged children singing, dancing, and delivering lines in costume, you WILL miss something. Period. So you really can’t tell from my photo albums that my children have been in plays.
It’s ridiculous really. I need a happy balance. If you don’t end up with any pictures at all, you’ll definitely forget the moment, and that’s not fun either. We’ve got one night left. And I’m going to take pictures like there’s no tomorrow. Starting right now while all four of my men are crashed out in the condo, vacation having completely run them over and won.
So that’s where you’ve been. Here I was getting all paranoid that you were off on Johnny’s private island without me;)
Also, I have to say, take ALL Rosie’s advice with a grain of salt. I watched one episode of The View where she talked about inversion therapy and using it as a treatment for headaches, stress, improving memory etc. So I had a bit of a headache and decided to hang upside down (as she’d demoed on the show).
Let’s just say that it didn’t end well. I fell and nearly got a concussion…oh and “bruised” a spinal disc. Dangerous stuff.
Enjoy your last day of vacation!
I totally get the reasoning for not taking pictures, but kind of disagree with Rosie. I’ve found (over my many years :-) that it’s the kids who want the pictures of the things they did and the vacations we took.
I guess you do miss the moment at the time, but years later, when they’re laughing together at their pictures and joking around about the memories from that particular vacation or event, or showing pictures of their brother to their soon-to-be sister-in-law, it’s well worth any of the moments I missed.
Of course, the pictures are really for the grandmother who didn’t go with you vacation. So,I appreciate the fact that you are sacrificing the last few hours for my sake :) I totally agree about school plays, though. I always want to shout at the parent behind the camera a famous line from one of my favorite four-year-olds, “Mom! Watch this! … and lift your head.”
But, of course, we do have that one great snapshot of a little girl in a poodle skirt and the be-bopper beside her in rolled up jeans from the fifth grade Christmas pageant. It’s pretty much priceless despite the poor lighting :)
I’m with Cheri and Kathy. When Jon and Jadee were married a friend put together a very well done audio visual showing their growing up years which he showed at the rehearsal dinner. We did not have a video camera or a film movie camera, mostly because of the expense. However, when the video of Jadee singing in the bathtub (it was decent, of course) came on I really got choked up because I could see that she hadn’t really changed in her spirit. It was a priceless gift to get that window into who our new daughter in law really is. Jon has always been a dramatist in everything he does, but it is hard to show dramatic movements in still photography. But he sang on the platform at our church on many occasions and his friend patched in the sounds and video of him singing “I’m Divin’ In” while pictures of Jadee diving into a pool and doing cartwheels and other gymnastic moves showed. Oh how I wish I had ignored the expense and bought one of those expensive movie cameras. Our sacrifice would have been worth it. Instead of selfless memories in this I live with regrets.
Well, you people are all completely right. The last night we went to Branson Landing, and I felt so nostalgic and happy, because of last year’s happy vacation there. The thing is, I’m pretty sure it was better sealed in my memory because of the pictures we took there that I’ve looked at all year since. They really do help capture the moment. And, Uncle Paul, a video camera – it’s officially on my LIST. Thanks for the suggestion!
Oh, how fun … I’m so glad you’ve had a wonderful vacation. That picture of them all sleeping is adorable! I completely understand what you mean … there is definitely a balance between focusing too much on the picture-taking and not capturing the great memories. I find myself taking some shots, then putting the camera away, then taking a few shots, then putting it away. Unless I’m acting as ‘official’ photographer at a family function or something, I try not to be holding the camera ALL the time, but just have it nearby!
It is a tough balance to strike…I’m usually the one holding the camera, so have to remind myself to put it down. I do love having photos from special times, though. (And all your blog readers appreciate your photos! Love this one of your precious, sleepy boys.)