“A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014.”
Lillia & Zane: Well, sweet kiddos, we made it to the end of our first 52 week portrait project. I say “we” because, although I was the one snapping the photos, there wouldn’t have been a 52 project without you and I really appreciate your cooperation (or at least toleration). Although I feel a great deal of satisfaction for completing my goal, I also feel incredibly sad because the fact is that a whole year of your lives has passed and I know that I cannot get it back. Lillia will never be ten again; Zane will never be two. There is a lot of lip service paid to enjoying your children while you can, and people always seem to say things like “it goes by so fast.” The truth is that it does go by so fast. Even when you take the time to notice and record the small moments that you share with your children, like I do here on my blog, that doesn’t stop the time from passing. Nothing has ever given me more joy than being a mother, and this is true even when I’m grouchy, nagging, irritated, or frustrated! Both of you bring something different, and equally wonderful, to my life. Despite my desire to keep you right where you are, I know that I have to let this year go to make room for the next one. I feel some slight consolation in knowing that the next twelve months together with you will bring me joy, too. And, I do feel some excitement and curiosity to see what the future holds for both of you. Love is not a big enough word to describe how I feel about you, but it will have to suffice.
If you’d like to look back at all 52 weeks, you can read the posts here or look at the whole album here.
Kelli this is great! I need to do this.
Wow, what a great accomplishment! I might try it this year. Thank you for the motivation/inspiration. Found your blog while commenting on of Karen Russell’s posts. I have been a fan and past student of her workshop. Sitting at work, bored and looking for new blogs to enjoy!
Hi Lisa! Thanks so much for your comment! I’m so happy that you found my blog. I really enjoy Karen Russell’s photography and her insights into family life; someday I’d love to take one of her classes. I’m always on the lookout for new blogs to read, too. I love your photos of those icicles illuminated by Christmas lights — really beautiful! I highly recommend doing a 52 week portrait project. It has been very fulfilling, and also helped me to improve my photography skills quite a bit.
Beautiful words and images!
Thank you Susan 🙂 Ashley, you really should give it a try, even if it’s just with your cell phone and Facebook.
Hmmm…I don’t know what happened to my picture of Lillia since it’s now my header that’s showing up in the preview. I always have problems getting images to show up in connection with my links. It’s pretty frustrating.