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| Dad's Cousin and Me |
I just received this image in my inbox over the weekend. This is the picture from my visit with my cousins a week ago Saturday. Remember, I met with Dad's cousin, her son (closer to my age), and his daughter that day.
Dad's cousin was born a few short months after he was, and she told me they even attended the same high school (in different classes because of their age difference). We shared memories, while she and her son took copious notes. Her son said the information was coming so fast it was like "drinking water from a fire hose". I admit, we packed a lot of stories and facts into our few short hours together. We promised we'd get together again soon.
Before we parted ways, her son wanted to take a picture of his mom and me together. She resisted, saying she hates having her picture taken. I'm so glad we convinced her to sit for this one. Her smile is contagious, and now we have her beautiful face to put with her name when I share our visit with my siblings who've yet to meet her.
Do you hate having your picture taken, too? Let me tell you what I said to her. When you're gone, memories, stories and your pictures will be all that's left of you for your family and friends. They'll be the proof that you were ever here. No one will care what you weighed, how many wrinkles you have, what color your hair is, what you're wearing, or whether or not your smile is crooked. What they'll remember is the love, laughter, and time...mostly time...they shared with you.
So, please. If you're "photograph hesitant" or "photograph resistant", stop. Jump right in front of the camera. Share your best smile. Let people see the life in your eyes. Let your light shine. You owe it to everyone who knows and loves you. Forget about the haters. They don't matter. What matters is that you are here. It won't always be that way, and letting someone take your picture is leaving a part of you for someone to embrace when you're gone. Proof that you once lived a glorious life on this earth.
I'm looking forward to my next visit with our cousins. I'm already planning what I'll take with me on my next trip to see them. Not only a written family tree of my father's descendants, but also pictures. Photographs I'm quite sure they don't have of our shared ancestors; my great grandfather, and my grandfather (who is her uncle)...and a few more of my Dad. More proof that they were here - to share with their ancestors.
