365 days of pictures

No I am not starting another challenge! I am taking a minute to appreciate a seemingly small gesture, that in fact is not small at all.

Several years ago, Thing One had an idea to post a random picture from her day everyday on her Facebook page. I absolutely loved it! They aren’t kidding when they say a picture is worth a thousand words. I didn’t realize how much I looked forward to the pictures each day until I was trying to fall asleep one night and keep thinking maybe I had forgotten something. Was the stove on? Were the doors locked? And then I realized I was missing the “connection” I had with her each day through those pictures.

By the end of the year, after posting a picture every single day, she swore she would never do that again. It was just too much work to remember or to plan.

After my grandsons were born, Thing One had to be a stay at home mom. That first year was quite a change for her. Before having children she was always OUT, either working or hanging out with one of her many friends. And she was Crazy Organized. If you have children, you probably know that the first year is can be pretty rough. Organization can become a thing of the past. It’s also easy to “lose yourself” as you try to balance being a mother and well someone who is not a mother. In an effort to help her provide some “structure” (and for completely selfish reasons) , I suggested that she do a picture a day again. Not only would that let me be more involved without being more involved, but it could provide something consistent for her every day and she could actually SEE that she was still growing and hadn’t lost herself.

She chose to take and share a picture of the boys each day. Yay me!!!! (yes I downloaded and saved all of them) After doing it everyday for a year again, she was worn out. It had become WORK. I was sad to see her stop posting, but I get not adding more to an already full plate. She took the next year off from posting everyday. I really missed those pictures!!!!! But the really cool part is that I was not the only one. Friends and family constantly harrassed her to start posting again. (I didn’t say a word!!!!!)

She is posting again this year!!!!! and now you know where my idea to post everyday came from. I told myself that I would be showing her support (misery loves company?) and that I too could use a tiny bit of consistency in my life as well. LOL I’m only two weeks into the new year and there have been a couple moments that it has felt like work.

I need to do this FOR ME. I have let myself become so overwhelmed taking care of everyone else, that I have neglected myself both mentally and physically. I do enjoy writing, but even more I love that someone cares enough to listen to what I have to say. I love reading and responding to comments. So while posting something every day can become work, I am trying to focus on the positives. Getting up and showing up every day!

Thank you for showing up too!