On October 18th, my daughter was born and I became the mother of three children. Hundreds of miles away, on the same day, another baby girl was born and another woman added the third child to her family. We were complete strangers at that time, but our love of photography and family brought us together. We started to have a conversation about motherhood with images, because we tell stories with our cameras. Since some tales are so similar, and some are not, we decided to collaborate and share a photo a week from a normal day as a mother to three.
“Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.” – Mary Jean Irion
i spent too many days feeling like i was not doing enough for you kids this summer. we didn’t have playdates, take lots of vacations, or go to the pool everyday. instead we have spent most of our time at home. we play outside in the kiddie pool, snuggle in the hammock, swing on the tree swing, have picnics in our yard, ride scooters to the neighborhood playground, read books, draw, eat, and eat, and eat, take lots of baths. i don’t regret how are days are spent anymore because during this time home together we have gotten to know each other. we are not just family members but friends.
photo by Heather Robinson
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That saying, “It takes a village” has started to mean more and more to me the older I get. The rhythm of my life has taken me into a truer understanding that while we can go it alone, it is so much better to ask for and give help when you can. My parents’ help is invaluable when they come up and help me with carpools, drop offs, and other assorted errands so that I can work or just be a slightly less stressed mom. And how I appreciate how my parents just want to get down and be with my kids. Add in the great friends we’ve made up here, to share with, to play with. A comfort of raising my child beside theirs. I see how it strengthens all of us. I feel how it makes our lives that much more richer.
photo by Olivia Gatti of Click Click Love
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