I've been sitting here at my desk looking out the window... The rain has turned to snow and the snow back to rain, and I know it's only going to get worse. I've had a nasty ear and sinus infection for the past few days and I can't help but wish away these gloomy days and fast forward to warm and sunny weather. The one good thing that has come from these nasty days is that I've forced myself to organize, pitch old stuff, and make much needed runs to Goodwill. The other day I was going through a bookshelf full of books that have went unread for too long. As I loaded up a Goodwill box, one particular book caught my eye and I skimmed through the pages. As I flipped through the pages I noticed a card... I opened it and knew the handwriting right away-- My Granny's.

I always looked at my great-grandmother, my Granny Orena, like she was a character from a book. I could sit and listen to her stories for hours. Learning about how life used to be and her many adventures always fueled my curiosity and left me wanting to hear more. Her life was so full of adventures and experiences... She lived a full life. When she passed away almost three years ago at 98 years old I was hit with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and thankfulness for being blessed to be her great-granddaughter. For having the opportunity to love her and be loved by her. For getting to learn from her stories about how to be a good person, to work hard, and to live a life full of love. To have had a strong, courageous, determined, loving great-grandmother to look up to and do my best to be like one day. What I wouldn't give to sit down with her one more time and listen to her stories. To ask her questions and soak up her words. To watch her sit in her recliner by her front window surrounded by her plants, crocheting or making a new quilt for someone she loves.

This weather has left me feeling very contemplative and reflective the past couple days. About life, family, and memories that will last a lifetime. Memories that you never want to forget. I think that's why I'm drawn to photography. I'm drawn to meaningful moments and connections because I know those are things that I never want to forget. I want to capture real moments that mean something to those I'm photographing.

I'm pretty hard on myself when it comes to the skill of photography... Getting the right focus, exposure, composition, etc. I'll never be fully confident in myself when it comes to the technical aspects of it. But, what I do know is that I want to capture the beauty in life. In others' lives and in my own. We have one life to live and no matter what your story is, it's worth remembering. It's important. Not just for you, but for your children and their children and so on. Just as my great-grandmother's life and legacy is something I'll cherish forever, so will yours be to those you love.

All this reflecting (or as some would like to say, "overthinking") has me thinking of a project I'd like to try... I'm not quite sure the details yet, so I need to think on it a little more. I just thought that sitting down and typing this out would help my mind process through it and also hold me accountable for actually doing it. Needless to say, I'm very happy I didn't just toss that unread book into my Goodwill box. My Granny's card and poem that she cut out of an old magazine has sparked something inside of me and has reminded me of what is most important. In a world that seems to be getting busier, flashier, and more and more focused on things that will soon fade away, I'm finding that I want to be different. I'm not quite sure how, but oddly enough my Granny and her reminders are helping me figure out how to do that. I'm excited to think on this project and share it with you soon (hopefully). :)

"Express what you are feeling, Your beliefs you should uphold;

Don't shy away from what is right, Be courageous and be bold."

Thanks, Granny!

"Grandma's Pearls of Wisdom" | Thoughts & Reflections