The Truth Behind My Pictures
When I was little, my mom kept our family photo albums in the bottom shelves of the bookcase. The albums were bulky binders with shiny, book-looking covers, and held stacks of pages filled with thousands of family memories. I've always enjoyed pictures, and regularly throughout my youth I'd grab an album and lug it over to a quiet spot in the house, place it on my cross-legged lap, and reminisce for awhile.
We were a military family. Once settled and thriving with school, sports and friends, we'd learn it was time to relocate. Our albums would be like timelines, showing physical growth, moving transitions, same sports in different locations, etc. Those simple binders showed our family history as we traveled the country, and although our homes were in different locations, some things about our family never changed. There would always be pages of swim meets, chubby Boston Terriers, friends, piano recitals, vacations, grandparents, cousins, birthday parties, and so much more. I'm thankful my mom took the time to document these memories for us!
Flash forward to these fun times we call the adult years.
The daily grind can get monotonous and tedious. We have our ups and downs, don't we? Many times I've rested my head on my pillow at night and thanked God for the end of a stressful, sometimes dreadful day.
Yay, adulthood.
As we grow up, we learn that pictures can also bring back thoughts of tougher days and experiences. That was the Christmas after the divorce, that was our beloved dog's last summer. Behind the smiles, we know the background stories. In an instant, one image can bring us back to a difficult season of life. But as we look back, those pictures can also serve as encouragers. We are reminded of survived hardships, healed heartbreaks, lessons learned. I believe this has always been my draw to photo albums. On the most difficult of days, they offer rectangular reminders of better times and happier memories, promises of future smiles and sunshine. We are able to see a slightly larger picture and we are reminded of God's faithfulness.
It is often said that people lie on social media. Critics claim that our (social media-aholics) ultimate desire is to paint a perfect picture of glamorous lives for everyone to see, hiding faults and oftentimes shamelessly bragging about our children and their accomplishments. Some people even brag about their spouses. The horror.
Since I don't know all of your background info and intentions, I'll address my own, and painfully...
I have a confession.
An incredibly selfish confession.
I don't post those pictures on my social media accounts for you to see. Not really.
I post the pictures for me.
Maybe I'm the only one, I don't know, but I know I've spent many hours looking back through my own pictures. Does anyone else do this?
At the end of a particularly tough day, I'll go and grab my bulky photo album out of the bookcase (open Instagram on my phone) and go through my own pictures. It's become a habit to scroll through countless snapshots, and soon enough, I'm smiling, thankful for these ornery hoodlums I get to spend this life with. I'm reminded of happier days and adventures, messy faces and giggles. I'm struck by how quickly the kids grow and I'm reminded of the tough times God has brought my family through.
Oh, how I love those pictures.
Psst. The kids see the pictures, too.
Another confession: I'm awkward about affection. REALLY awkward. Just picture Mr. Bean trying to give a hug. While he has a cold. Or something.
I'm still and always will be a mother, and I still try, but sometimes I bomb. Horribly.
So, that "bragging" picture of my teenager, saying he did something great? That's for him to see. That's me saying- Listen, you little turd. Even though we butt heads daily, I see you. I'm SO proud of you and how hard you work. Oh, and I think you're super handsome. (That's not normal handsome, that's handsome with a cape.)
The other "bragging" picture of a different teenager on his way to a special event for his class? That's a momma telling her quiet kid- Hey, Mr. Sneaky, I see you, too. You've grown into a very handsome young man and I'm so pleased to see you stepping outside of your comfort zone with all of these changes at school. You inspire me and you rock my socks!
I can go on and on.
No, social media isn't my only love language, but trust me, Mr. Bean's twin has to be creative and is thankful for any help she can get!
My mom's photo albums taught me how to sit back and reminisce, and I still enjoy looking at them. Whoa, that 80's hair! Until I assemble my own large family's photo albums, to be housed in the bookshelf, of course, I'll continue to post and enjoy our pictures in my social media albums. They are my own family's history and timeline, and for that I am incredibly thankful.
Oh, hey, I forgot my selfie lecture. Some other time. *insert winkyface*
Signing off,
Bucky
We were a military family. Once settled and thriving with school, sports and friends, we'd learn it was time to relocate. Our albums would be like timelines, showing physical growth, moving transitions, same sports in different locations, etc. Those simple binders showed our family history as we traveled the country, and although our homes were in different locations, some things about our family never changed. There would always be pages of swim meets, chubby Boston Terriers, friends, piano recitals, vacations, grandparents, cousins, birthday parties, and so much more. I'm thankful my mom took the time to document these memories for us!
Flash forward to these fun times we call the adult years.
The daily grind can get monotonous and tedious. We have our ups and downs, don't we? Many times I've rested my head on my pillow at night and thanked God for the end of a stressful, sometimes dreadful day.
Yay, adulthood.
As we grow up, we learn that pictures can also bring back thoughts of tougher days and experiences. That was the Christmas after the divorce, that was our beloved dog's last summer. Behind the smiles, we know the background stories. In an instant, one image can bring us back to a difficult season of life. But as we look back, those pictures can also serve as encouragers. We are reminded of survived hardships, healed heartbreaks, lessons learned. I believe this has always been my draw to photo albums. On the most difficult of days, they offer rectangular reminders of better times and happier memories, promises of future smiles and sunshine. We are able to see a slightly larger picture and we are reminded of God's faithfulness.
It is often said that people lie on social media. Critics claim that our (social media-aholics) ultimate desire is to paint a perfect picture of glamorous lives for everyone to see, hiding faults and oftentimes shamelessly bragging about our children and their accomplishments. Some people even brag about their spouses. The horror.
Since I don't know all of your background info and intentions, I'll address my own, and painfully...
I have a confession.
An incredibly selfish confession.
I don't post those pictures on my social media accounts for you to see. Not really.
I post the pictures for me.
Maybe I'm the only one, I don't know, but I know I've spent many hours looking back through my own pictures. Does anyone else do this?
At the end of a particularly tough day, I'll go and grab my bulky photo album out of the bookcase (open Instagram on my phone) and go through my own pictures. It's become a habit to scroll through countless snapshots, and soon enough, I'm smiling, thankful for these ornery hoodlums I get to spend this life with. I'm reminded of happier days and adventures, messy faces and giggles. I'm struck by how quickly the kids grow and I'm reminded of the tough times God has brought my family through.
Oh, how I love those pictures.
Psst. The kids see the pictures, too.
Another confession: I'm awkward about affection. REALLY awkward. Just picture Mr. Bean trying to give a hug. While he has a cold. Or something.
I'm still and always will be a mother, and I still try, but sometimes I bomb. Horribly.
So, that "bragging" picture of my teenager, saying he did something great? That's for him to see. That's me saying- Listen, you little turd. Even though we butt heads daily, I see you. I'm SO proud of you and how hard you work. Oh, and I think you're super handsome. (That's not normal handsome, that's handsome with a cape.)
The other "bragging" picture of a different teenager on his way to a special event for his class? That's a momma telling her quiet kid- Hey, Mr. Sneaky, I see you, too. You've grown into a very handsome young man and I'm so pleased to see you stepping outside of your comfort zone with all of these changes at school. You inspire me and you rock my socks!
I can go on and on.
No, social media isn't my only love language, but trust me, Mr. Bean's twin has to be creative and is thankful for any help she can get!
My mom's photo albums taught me how to sit back and reminisce, and I still enjoy looking at them. Whoa, that 80's hair! Until I assemble my own large family's photo albums, to be housed in the bookshelf, of course, I'll continue to post and enjoy our pictures in my social media albums. They are my own family's history and timeline, and for that I am incredibly thankful.
Oh, hey, I forgot my selfie lecture. Some other time. *insert winkyface*
Signing off,
Bucky
I love this. And I will continue to force awkward hugs on you every time I see you, Mr. Bean💗
ReplyDeleteI love this. And I will continue to force awkward hugs on you every time I see you, Mr. Bean💗
ReplyDelete