To Notice. . .

I think I was around 5 or 6 years old when I noticed the way my Mom used to chew the inside of her lip.  At the time I’m sure I didn’t really know what she was doing, but looking back I realize that she was likely biting the inside of her lower lip.  It’s not that I noticed because I thought it was an annoying habit or something that bothered me, it was more that I wondered what she was doing and I thought it was kind of cool how she contorted her mouth when she seemed lost in thought or she was intently concentrating on something.  I remember the way I would stare at my mom as she chewed on that lip and I would do my best to mimic her.  I remember contorting my own mouth to one side in hopes of looking just like my Mom, because somehow, doing this made me feel like an adult. 

I was probably around 9 or 10 when I was in the level 5 in gymnastics class.  I was watching the level 6 class, the highest level, during their practice.  I remember being mesmerized by these older girls who seemed to effortlessly fly through the air.  As I took in all in, I remember watching the tall high school girl with the long red pony tail walk from the floor mat back to the end of the line after completing her layout or back sumi or whatever she was doing.  For some reason, I was captivated by the way her pony tail swung back and forth as she walked across the gym.  I remember when it was my time to take that walk back to the end of the line, I swayed my upper torso deliberately forcing my pony tail to sway exactly the same way the cool high school girl’s pony tail did. 

Isn’t this what kids do?  They notice. They mimic.  They copy.  They test.  They try.  They find what works for them. . . and what doesn’t.  Thankfully, my lip chewing phase didn’t last long and I no longer walk like a penguin to get my pony tail to sway radically from left to right.  Of course, my hair is too short for pony tails anymore. . . but that’s beside the point.  Truth is. . . I found other things. . .

Over the last couple of years my love for beautiful images has grown, budded, and bloomed into something that I have not kept hidden.  Noticing and capturing moments has become a way of life for me.  Despite the abundance of knowledge I have yet to gain regarding the technical aspects of my camera and photography. . . it is almost impossible for me to pass a beautiful scene without being compelled to capture it. . .

It’s almost like breathing.  This capturing the moment thing?  It’s become a part of me.

And maybe not only me.

Last Friday morning Chanelle and I were sitting in the living room trying to decide what we were going to do with our day.  After throwing out a few suggestions that fell flat, my girl lit up when I suggested we go to the arboretum to take pictures.  She couldn’t run fast enough to her room to get dressed and ready to go. When we arrived, Chanelle climbed out of the car and proudly hung the strap of my old camera around her neck. 

Together, Chanelle, Meadow and I slowly made our way around the beauty of the arboretum and as she took in the art of the outdoors, I took in the beauty of her. . .

It was such a “moment” to watch her grab on to something that I have learned to love so much.  To watch her notice and see, really see, all that is beautiful all around her was nothing short of a gift.  And as I watched her mimic what she has seen in me over the last few years, I realized how important my role is.  How what I do is even more important than what I say. 

I realize that she is four years old and interests will fly in and out of her life at lightning speed.  (When I was 4, I wanted to be a cheerleader when I grew up.)  I realize that at 4, she looks up to her Mama and is eager to please.  I realize that picking up a camera may be something she only wanted to do on that one Friday morning.  And you know what?  That’s okay.

Because whether a camera is in her hands or not, I’ve come to understand something about both Charlie and Chanelle.  I’ve come to understand that they notice beauty.  They notice it everywhere. . .

Just last Saturday, for example, we were driving down a country road just as the sun met the horizon.   Chad and I were lost in conversation when we heard from the backseat. . . Mama!  Where is your camera?  Get your camera!  Look over there!  Look at the sun!  When I looked to my left I saw the most beautiful scene.  The sky was set ablaze with an orange glow and the sun rays that reached into infinity hung on for dear life.  The scene was absolutely breath-taking. . . and they noticed. 

Sure, Chanelle may never pick up a camera again.  One day she may will tire of my picture taking obsession.  I will be okay with that.  Really, I will.  But I’ll tell you what. . .

I hope they will always notice the beauty that surrounds them.

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A few of Chanelle’s captures. . .

Life is fully of beauty.  Notice it.  Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces.  Smell the rain, and feel the wind.  Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.”
–Ashley Smith