“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
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
sometimes they try to shut you out, closing doors on you. but you are fierce. you have a voice that must be heard. and they almost always listen and let you in. i hope you never lose that power.
photo by Heather Robinson
When I see you two, I am so complete. The way you look out for her. Your concern for her safety. You run to her room every morning, and ask where she is the moment you get home from school. You are unbelievably thoughtful. I think this is a gift you’ll give to all those a bit smaller than you. Your protection. Your love.
photo by Olivia Gatti of Click Click Love
i like to follow The 5 Minute Project created by photographer Dana Pugh. i am always enlightened by the breadth of magic that one photographer can capture in such a short amount of time. the way in which simple, everyday moments can feel exceptional. i mean our kids are constantly creating this magic but to be able to stop, notice, and harness that in a way that tells a story is pure genius.
here are five minutes of my life with the whole wheat bagel monster.
after the post please click on to follow the outstanding freelensing work of my friend Joni.
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
you don’t know what you do to me. you are just being you. just saying the sweet things that you say. but when you tell me, “mama, i will always come back to you”, you turn my heart inside out.
photo by Heather Robinson
Twice this week you went in the water. You fell in the water. Once at the ocean and once at the river. Both times you turned to me, no tears, no fear, and said simply, “Wet shoes.” Kid, you are so awesome.
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
Eighteen Months
photo by Heather Robinson
