Friday, January 27, 2012

Keeping it Real

Lest you mistakenly think our family life is all sweetness and light, I thought I'd share a picture I came across last night.


When Jack imagined taking his kids to Mount Vernon, I really don't think THIS is what he had in mind:

47 comments:

Stimey said...

I like this a lot. I remember what you said at his service about him not being perfect. But he's real. And that mix of perfect and real makes him wonderful.

NanaDiana said...

LOL- It is good to remember ALL of who Jack was, isn't it? Perfect in his imperfectness! I'll bet he's smiling down on you right now looking at that picture...or maybe not....xo Diana

Kristina P. said...

Ha! I love that picture. What a great kid.

M. said...

I kind of feel the same way about Mount Vernon. :-)

TheLab said...

Oh what a character. Sons do the drama thing too, sometimes, don't they? Thank you for this wonderful, perfect photo.

We are praying for you - always.

Princess Kate said...

Finally a picture that looks A LOT like all my family pictures. Still lovely and precious and PERFECT.

Kris said...

So real. Thanks for sharing.

Paula said...

Love it - mostly love that you took the picture. We had this exact same day with kids one time at MV. Holy cow. Now they would tell anyone they love going there. That day... Thanks for keepin' it real! Praying.

lauralee said...

No doubt it helps to remember those times when your angel was less than saintly. Still, he exudes cuteness and personality even when sulking. I miss him, and I never knew him.

Anonymous said...

I love this :) Thanks, Jack, for reminding me that kids can learn and appreciate things even when there are not big smiles.

Leah C said...

Family life may not always be sweetness...but I think that picture is. Hugs and prayers...

Laura said...

Vernon-Schmernon!

I love this picture - and have so loved getting to know your sweet family through your blog.
Thinking of you - and praying for you - daily.

Leeann said...

Love it! That made me laugh aloud. And I love even more how you are standing there smiling through it. I bet in your head you were thinking "we are GOING to get this f'ing picture in front of Mt Vernon, damn it!"

Just goes to show the "best" pictures aren't always the prettiest. love it, love it, love it.

L said...

Love it!!

Jack = real kid = one of the reasons we love him.

You = real mom = same.

Ditto for Margz!

Lisa said...

A picture says a 1000 words...love it. Reminds me of a picture of me, my sisters and my mom from many years ago...

ella said...

Sometimes out of nowhere the reality of your situation hits me in the chest as if I'm hearing it for the first time....and then I realize that's how you probably feel each and every morning when you wake up. I love this picture, it's perfect.

geri said...

oh gosh, i hope this picture made you laugh and smile as much as it did me. thanks for showing us this!

Kate Coveny Hood said...

Those expressions are priceless. I remember BEING on that side of the camera years ago... Cruel parents with their forced march family outings and photo ops...

michelle said...

Did you tell them you were not waiting in the 2+ hour line to get into the house? That's what I did with the 3 kids I was chaperoning on my daughter's second grade class trip. Ehhh, they were fine when I bought them each a small souvenir at the gift shop.

But my, those two are even adorable when they are scowling. I would have totally given them whatever they wanted in that moment. (not as their PARENT, but as an amused passerby!)

I adore all these pictures. Please keep them coming.

xoxo, michelle

Tournesol said...

Adorable picture of real life! Seen those faces many times : ) Love them too..

Anonymous said...

And you smile through the ups and downs. Continue to pray for each of you.

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Sometimes the real moments are the ones that mean the most!

Aimee said...

LMAO..... Looks like most of our family shots! Priceless! :) Love it!

Anonymous said...

I think for many parents, as the day comes to a close, they replay the vision of what the day would look like compared to the contrasting reality of what the day became.

It can hold true for one day, one year or one lifetime.

MaryBeth said...

I love this picture - especially you smiling and having a good time!

Anna, you are the real deal!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Aww...such a sad face the kids have.

Auntie Mip said...

Oh I bet this is exactly what he had in mind. Because much like childbirth, when there is much that is grand about your childhood, you tend to forget those less than stellar memories. For Jack this was a grand adventure and when things weren't just right, he knew he could fold into the comfort of his mama's embrace. Who wouldn't have that in mind for their kids. He loved you very much!

Vodka Mom said...

i adore you,
HOLY CRA n I adore you,

Anonymous said...

I just sat and talked with a woman all night who lost her son eleven years ago. Her daughter just had a son and named him after the brother she lost. This mother said she hadn't turned her calendar to January in 11years and now she got January back. thinking of you the whole time. Love and peace to you.

A Speckled Trout said...

Love, love, love. I have boxes of those kinds of pictures. Maybe it's cases. No, no it's a storage unit.

Unknown said...

Poor kid - must have been a rough day.

But can any kid be as cute as he is when he pouts? SO adorable.

Love you.

Masala Chica said...

I still love your smile in this pictures. If our children were always goodness and light they wouldn't be human. I love that we have the wonderful moments as well as the bad - it makes us appreciate them more when we get that sweet smile and those few minutes of perfection.

Have missed you Anna (my fault) - you always inspire me.

xoxo

Meredith Self said...

Such grace and composure with the pouts. Just love the huggy pouts. Just respect totally the realness!!!

That's sweet, sweet, sweet to me!

DawnGes said...

Thanks for keeping it real, Anna. Love, prayers, hugs.

Jen said...

Love this! Go re-read what Auntie Mip wrote. She is so right! So easy to see how much he trusted and loved you. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. I carry your family in my heart.
Jen

Anonymous said...

Love this! Ups and downs to everything in life. These moments make the joyful ones that much more meaningful.

Anonymous said...

Although you've probably already read it, you might enjoy re-reading The Little Prince in the months ahead. Margaret might get something from it as well. Such a beautiful book about loss and love. E.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful. I too used to get frustrated on family vacations when I was a kiddo. I always preferred the idea of lying around the hotel room and reading. But no! We had to go and do, see and learn, explore and pose--for photos that ended up like that. It was exhausting the way my parents wanted us to have all those memorable, educational moments!

love,
jbhat

Anonymous said...

Ahh beautiful surly children :)
Pip xx

alicia said...

Perfect. That is life, it is what we live for. Wishing the best for you.

Ross said...

Like the picture! I like that it shows who Jack really was.

Elisa @ What the Vita said...

haha made me laugh out loud! sooo cute.

K A B L O O E Y said...

Heeheehee. That cracked me up. The kids look so pouty and sad, but you look composed and lovely. I would have been a frazzled wreck and my expression, posture (and hair!) would have reflected every bit of it. Grace under pressure, girlfriend.

Unknown said...

I don't know why but those kind of pictures are my favorite. We took a trip to a museum last year and one of my daughter's had her arms crossed in every picture - the other would not look at the camera. I can't help but crack up when I see them. Real life, right? Love it!

Kim @ A Brush of Whimsy said...

that's hilarious!

Anonymous said...

Anna,

Thanks for sharing the real, not just the idyllic. I always thought there should be more "truth in advertising" in family photos. What about the screaming babies, toddlers having tantrums, teens pouting, etc.? They are part of the experience as well.

I know you would love to have your Jack back, whatever his expression.

Feeling for you,
Joan in PA

prenni5 said...

I liked that you shared this. I love that you are always honest and real. It's what keeps me coming back here over and over again. Love you.
Annie P.