Today is family picture day. It’s something that we do every year and I am very glad that we do it. We are a melded family with 4 boys and we have both made sure that we have this record of our boys development. Since we have been together, Mary has gone out of her way to hire a photographer who can take us to different settings around the city for that wonderful picture. These pics make it into wall decor, Christmas cards and gentle reminders to our family of how old Mary and I are getting.
She struggles through the process every year. Firstly, can we find a date that suits all parties and their multitude of activities. Secondly, can she actually get everyone to show up on time when the photographer can make it. Thirdly, will mother nature cooperate? We have had some years when it’s either too sunny or too bitter cold for the moment to occur and a re-schedule is needed. Lastly, can she get these 5 boys into a semblance or colour coordination so that it doesn’t appear that we just rolled out of bed and took some selfies. Not an easy juggling act for her, but she perseveres every year and makes it worth her while.
I have no proof but I suspect that a large portion of families do not make the time for a picture that captures that exact moment in time. I am very thankful that I started this process annually when the boys were born and Mary has done the same with her boys. Many families think that they will bring the camera along throughout the year and pictures will just happen. I can tell you that it is a rare moment in my year where I can have all of the family in one place at the same time, let alone have a camera ready to take the shot. Mary and I now have a Christmas tree full of ornaments that capture every year of the boys lives and we have that perfect shot of the family to remember how young we all were at that moment.
Make some time and plan it out. The magic of the cell phone camera makes it easier than ever, for those that don’t have a photographer or the proper equipment. Kids grow up so fast and our lives are so busy that it is easy to let this one slide. You will thank me for the reminder of how precious time is as it passes.
Marco