“But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive:
for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts;
and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been,
is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life,
and rest in unvisited tombs.”
– George Eliot, Middlemarch
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 had plans. you were supposed to be our last child. the older two were going to go to school and you were going to stay home with me. we were finally going to spend some time alone. life was going to slow down so that i could enjoy your littleness. i had all these plans. what i didn’t plan on was your brother deciding to stay home too or another baby entering the picture. but the thing that foiled my plans the most is you. you have never wanted to stay home or be little. instead, every day you wake, get dressed, and beg to go to school. so much for my big plans.
photo by Heather Robinson blog | Facebook
Long winters make me move furniture around. Old mirrors in new places suddenly entertains like nothing else.
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
photo by Heather Robinson blog | Facebook
Today, I took you to your first toddler class, a nature program at this beautiful little school on the river. You wanted nothing to do with it and kept to the stairs to play by yourself the entire time. It is the kind of place where that is totally okay, and I appreciate that they respect each child’s need. But I also can’t help but think you’ve gone a bit feral this winter, and I’m to blame. I holed us up in the house a lot and haven’t really socialized you much either. Partly, I just want to keep you mine for a little longer, and partly because you are the third child and I’m so damn tired most days.
“But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive:
for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts;
and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been,
is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life,
and rest in unvisited tombs.”
– George Eliot, Middlemarch
Heather Robinson
Amanda Voelker
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
it was lunchtime. i asked you what you wanted. you replied, “all i want is macaroni and cheese, milk, and mama”. i know i won’t always be able to give you what you want or need. but when i can, man that feels mighty fine.
photo by Heather Robinson blog | Facebook
Watching you three drift in and out of each other’s days is a true lesson in letting go, letting things just be. We are all aware of each other in our hearts. We decide how much to give in the moment. We tumble forward, bumping into each other, dancing with each other, feeling incomplete when one of us is not there. Feeling overwhelmed when there is too much of us. The further I step back and let you three ride the currents, the more true you all are.
