Monday, September 10, 2012

A long time ago


My friend Jody sent me this photo. It was taken in New York City, a million years ago. I'm glad she sent it, because when I picked Sophie up from the grass in my front yard last night when her one millionth seizure had subsided, I was hard put to feel much joy. The photo made me remember that there's probably more joy than not to remember.

Thank you, dear Jody. I love you very much.
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16 comments:

  1. Ms. MoonSeptember 10, 2012 at 7:07 AM

    She looks so much the same, doesn't she? As if she has always been who she is in her own unique Sophie-ness. Look at the joy between you. My heart melts for you both in that moment.

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  2. TaradharmaSeptember 10, 2012 at 7:14 AM

    I suggest you print and display that beautiful moment -- it's got joy just leaping off the page! When the chips are really really down, sometimes it's hard to remember that any joy is left or ever existed...here you have visual proof that it did, and it does. xo

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  3. Denise Emanuel ClemenSeptember 10, 2012 at 7:24 AM

    It's always good to remember sweet, sweet joy.

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  4. Marylinn KellySeptember 10, 2012 at 7:26 AM

    What a beautiful photo and Sophie does look much the same, her unique Sophieness so strong, so visible. Reading your post, I wonder at our (certainly my) perception of joy as fragile and non-joy as the substance too dense to be vanquished. I will start my day and week seeing if I can develop a different perspective in which joy is mighty and enduring, unable to be eclipsed by so much Everything Else. Your friend Jody and you have reminded me that joy may be more resilient than I thought.

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  5. karioSeptember 10, 2012 at 7:49 AM

    Thank God for cameras and friends and joy. That picture radiates wonder. Thank you for sharing.

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  6. 37paddingtonSeptember 10, 2012 at 7:59 AM

    Such beauty and wonder, both of you. Thank you for sharing.

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  7. HeatherSeptember 10, 2012 at 8:20 AM

    Joy does indeed dwell alongside the sadness and despair.

    We just need to hold tight to that knowledge in the moments that are clouded with the sheer heaviness of it all.

    Beautiful picture my friend.

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  8. livSeptember 10, 2012 at 10:00 AM

    She is looking straight into your eyes! With glee!
    That is so beautiful to see, Elizabeth.
    Blow it up, keep it close because that kind of joy is what see's us through, isn't it?
    Even the shadow of it is splendid.

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  9. From the KitchenSeptember 10, 2012 at 10:04 AM

    What a beautiful and joyful connection between you and Sophie.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  10. GbergerSeptember 10, 2012 at 10:21 AM

    This photo is absolutely gorgeous. It looks as if the two of you are doing the "SO big!" routine which our kids loved ("How big is Sophie? SO big!"). Or perhaps the two of you are just sharing a moment of spontaneous joy. It's lovely.

    Thank God for those friends who help us to remember the lasting truth, when we are worn out in the present moment.

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  11. ClaireSeptember 10, 2012 at 11:17 AM

    Oh...so beautiful!!!

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  12. TheresaSeptember 10, 2012 at 11:54 PM

    Wow!!!
    So sweet.
    ooxx

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  13. Vesuvius At HomeSeptember 11, 2012 at 6:52 AM

    What a gorgeous photo. All your children have such light in their faces. Elizabeth, you are still a babe.

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  14. rebeccaSeptember 12, 2012 at 8:52 AM

    the adoring joy of mother and child;
    today you are my gift.

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  15. Mike UCSeptember 12, 2012 at 4:14 PM

    That is a truly amazing photo.

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  16. LeslieSeptember 13, 2012 at 5:36 AM

    what a precious, precious photo.

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