Thursday, April 19, 2012

Where's Tiger?

I'm going to stray a bit from the norm and respond to a comment. 

"You've got to learn to set the camera and the timer so 
you can be in at least a few."

Well, I am in these pictures. Not in the physical sense that's me. My true self. But in the sense that in each picture of my daughter you will see a small part of me. Not sure what part exactly. The attitude,  or maybe just the nose? She does look more like her Daddy's side of the family, but I know I'm in there somewhere too. I mean, I did give birth to her.


For sure you will see me in my son's face. Again, not the physical me that I am now, 
but the me that I was long, long ago. 


So, you will see me, if not physically in body, 
but for sure in the legacies that are my children.





I prefer to remain behind the camera. I don't feel that I photograph very well. 
Others will argue; my sister and friends; 
and it's from those others where you will find the photographs of me,
but I know how I feel, and I don't feel like being in front of the camera. 



You don't always need a photograph to capture a memory. 
Some of my best "growing up" memories have no photographic trail, but I remember them. 

I remember my Mom going on all of my school field trips with me; taking time out of her work schedule; to visit many of the places back then that I have gone with my kids since they began school. 

Yates Cider Mill with Mrs. Girling and Allie's 3rd Grade class.

Ann Arbor Hands-On Science Center with Mrs. Hawe's 4th Grade class.

I remember my Dad being at my sporting events and 
helping me with my history homework. 

Warren Police Athletic League (PAL) Summer 2010

Warren PAL Summer 2010

I remember fishing on the banks of the river with Dad, while Mom sat and watched us beg Dad to put worms on our hooks or take the fish off 'cause "Oooo gross. I don't wanna touch that!"





My niece, Shelby


My Dad (Papa) with my nephew, Nate.


You see, there are more ways to make a memory and to hold on to it forever besides taking a photograph. Granted, I absolutely love having a camera in my hands and trying to capture a moment in time. Maybe it is because there isn't much of a photographic trail of my childhood memories. Maybe not. 
Maybe it's just this generation trying to be all "hi-techie".
Who knows?

I do want to believe that my kids will someday look back on all these adventures and have their special memories of Mom being there. Being there for the school field trips. Walking-With-God (and a sprained ankle) all over downtown Detroit along with a couple hundred scouts and other parents. Coaching baseball.  Hiking thru trees, down trails, uphill, over rocks and on a beach. Traipsing all over the Zoo, Greenfield Village, Cedar Point and Belle Isle when my knee was in so much pain I would just stuff my tears deep inside and muddle on, so I could be there to capture those moments.


Our very first Scout Day at Comerica Park

At Fitzgerald High School volunteering for Eagle Scout Fundraiser

Celebrity Server Night at Elias Bros. Big Boy

4th of July in Gramma and Papa's backyard

Vacation up north August 2008

Summer School field trip to the Detroit Zoo

Disney on Ice - 2010

Girls On the Run 5K marathon in Plymouth, MI - June 2010

Warren PAL baseball Summer 2009

One of our many, many trips to the Detroit Zoo

Scout Picnic at Shaw Park - Summer 2010

Yo Gabba Gabba at the Fox Theater in Detroit, MI - October 2010

4th Grade field trip to Greenfield Village - October 2010

Haunted Hayride at Blake's Orchard - 2010

Warren PAL Soccer - Spring 2011

Cedar Point - June 2011

Warren PAL baseball - Summer 2010

Surprise! It's your birthday gift. We're seeing the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus
at The Palace of Auburn Hills. November 2009

Hollywood Night dance at Mound Park.

I'm not a perfect parent. 
I'm not a perfect person. 
But I try. 
I do my very best every day.

I don't know what kind of memories my children will have when they are grown and learn what it's like to "reflect back on the day". Will they be good memories? Will they wonder "Why isn't Mom in any of these pictures?" Or will they be able to reach deep in to their minds and remember as I have done?

I'm in the pictures too. I'm always there.


5 comments:

  1. Angie,
    I love this post. So true, I am always taking pictures and not in them.
    I have great memories as well and no pictures growing up. Maybe that is why we take so many pictures. Some days my kids do say we know you were there but no one would know from the pictures. I always answer but they will know because it was me taking the picture. Love the blog.
    Tracy

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  2. Awesome post Sis! I agree with you about prefering to stay behind the camera. But, I have come to the conclusion that I am who I am and even if I don't like the pics, I know those who will come after me will appreciate being able to see who I was. Some day your kids will want those photos, because even though they will remember you, a picture can bring to mind memories that are buried deep. I think you are very photogenic. But, sometimes looking at you is like looking at myself so maybe that makes me seem kind of arrogant. LOL I believe we see in a photo the things we love about the subject, and that goes for people too. When I look at a pic of you, I see your smile and your eyes and I remember that when you laugh you always laugh with every part of your face. (Sounds funny when I type it but I know what I mean) Sometimes when I look at a photo I can even hear you laughing because that's just something I associate with you. You like to laugh and when you do everyone knows it! I look at a picture of Grandma Proctor and even though she's been gone now almost 8 years, I immediately hear her laugh in my mind. I can't seem to bring it up in my mind until I look at a photo though! Anyway, great blogs and I thoroughly enjoy reading them!!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for your comments Sis. It means the world to me that you think of me like you do. I understand when you say I "laugh with every part your face". Makes sense to me. It's good to know that this blog is actually being viewed by people. Especially the people I care about. It's my family and friends that I have in mind when I write and what pictures I choose. I don't know why, but doing this blog makes me happy. Maybe it is because someday the kids will be interested enough to wanna know the kinds of things I had to say, and how I viewed the world. I dunno. Sounds sappy I guess. Must be old age creeping in on me. LOL

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  3. Dang you makeing this big old sissy cry. But it's true.

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