I truly believe that we are all blessed in life, even when misfortune is near or we suffer from hard times, we can still look around and find blessings that are bestowed on us and unique to our own lives. It is simply a matter of looking for them, not ignoring them when they are right in front of us. It can be as simple as the sunrise in the morning, or your child’s clothes you have to pick up off of the floor that day, a reminder of the healthy, active child who in her haste, left them there for you to pick up. For me, it was five minutes ago, when I had to go into my sleeping child’s room to give her cough medicine so she could have a peaceful rest this evening. How fortunate am I to have enough money and access to medicine for my children?? That I live in a country with pharmacies located on every corner when I need them. And most especially that she only has to deal with the discomforts of a common cold, easily made comfortable with basic medicines and care verses so many worse scenarios. It is easy to feel blessed when you think of all those children who, tonight, will not be able to experience the same comfort as my own child. Who will need a much stronger medication in order to bring relief to their discomfort and pain. Who live with serious condition and are reminded of it hourly and daily. How hard it must be for those mothers this evening who know they can not provide the same relief to their own child. As a mother I can’t imagine.

I don’t know what it must be like to see your children suffer, or struggle with life daily. My own children are amazingly healthy and it is truly a blessing . Yet, each day you don’t have to look far to see and hear about amazing stories of people who triumph in the face of diversity. And I know there are those same types of people here in our own city. Perhaps friends of yours, who you are amazed with each day and what they do in the face of that diversity. They are here, near us. It can quickly put into perspective our own lives and blessings.

So when I get frustrated with all the small tasks I have to do each day, begrudging the tasks of preparing meals three times a day, the clothes I have to clean, beds I have to make, I try and stop and remind myself that these “tasks” need to be viewed as blessings rather then “chores” in which to begrudge. Rather they represent the wonderful things I have in my life. My children which I am able to feed healthy meals to each day, and a beautiful house in which I am fortunate enough to have, and yes, to clean and tidy each day! Would I rather not have these things in my life? Of course not. They are my life, my small blessings.

So, why you ask do I mention small blessings? Well, it is likely a result of the pending holidays and the typical “reflection” I tend to do on my own life this time of year. More importantly it is the basis for a new project that I want to undertake for the upcoming year, 2008. A project that I plan to call “Small Blessings”. I am hoping that people who read this, past clients and future clients will learn about it and nominate a person, child, or family that they know or feel would benefit from a session with me. Do you know someone who has faced diversity and has beat it against all odds, or someone who is struggling now and really needs to have some memories captured. I know that we all know someone who touches our lives, and who is an inspiration to us and to others. I want to hear their stories and I will select one person, family or child every second month to give a session to. It will include a two hour session with me, in their home or location of their choice and a CD of images from the session to have for themselves.

So if you know of someone who you feel needs and could benefit from a photography session then send me their story for consideration. My first session I plan on doing will be in February 2008. All entries should be sent to srphotos@nb.sympatico.ca

I truly feel that there is more to life then just making money or working at a job. That perhaps each of us has something to offer someone else that can truly make a difference in their lives. It is my hope with this new venture that it will do just that for someone.

I hope you will pass the word on to people who you feel would be a good candidate for such a session.

Speaking of small blessings. My most recent maternity session. I love this shot of the quilt that she made for her new bundle of joy (she had his name stitched in the middle block but I wanted to remove it for privacy issues). And why are pregnant women so gorgeous! Truly they are.

I can’t wait to meet him in January. Thanks Kathy! You are getting one of the best “Small Blessings” you could ask for during this magical season.

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This is too funny not to share.  The kids and I had a blast creating it to send to hubby who was out of town for a few days.  I saw it on a fellow photographer friends website and had to check it out.

If you create one yourself then post the link to me here in your comments.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1169214655

Kids are back to school after our big snow storm.  They had a ball yesterday playing in it and my neighbor took pitty on me without a husband to shovel and came to the rescue with her snow blower.  I love it that we have snow now for Christmas.  It really gets me in the spirit.

Hope this does to! 

Happy Holidays!

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Well I had fun going to Zellers at 7:50am on Saturday morning knowing they were to be getting a few games, and found myself too late.  The tickets were gone before I got there.  so I headed right up to Toys R Us based on a tip from Sue, thanks Sue!  And I walked into the mall at 8:15am, the store only opens at 9am, to see a huge line up of people.   Thinking I was too late I was really starting to get discouraged.  When I walked up the store employee was  there with an envelope still with a few tickets left.  They got 34 units in and I was the 30th person.  So I am happy to say I managed to get a Wii for my son this Christmas.  I had my sister in Ottawa looking out for one and my parents.  They are next to impossible to find.  So guess what?  My mother just called to say they were at Costco this morning early, and they got us a Wii!  Ha!  So if someone wants one then let me know asap.  If not they need to get the money back on their credit card in the next few days.

Email me.  I swear there was one guy at Zellers who had a ticket and then he showed up at Toys R Us, and I have to wonder if he is buying them and reselling them for a profit.  If so, then that is just rude! 

Off to work and pay for this little toy! 

Have a super day.  Just a couple of images to share this time.  This is from a photographers workshop I attended this past September in PEI.  I had a super time, we had models and learned alot from the famous Bambi Cantrell.  It was on a gorgeous beach.  The one at the top was early in the morning.  Those are two fishing boats going out to deep water.  I adore the Island.  It is such a peaceful spot. 

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