AE | The Weekend Lens

Ah, Ali. I echo all the thoughts and prayers headed in your direction. "And it came to pass"...words with whom I have a complicated relationship. Love those times when it finally passes, though the scars left both build me up and tear me down. Hate those times when it finally passes, and the memories are but a shadow of the moment, the lifetime. The consistent thing, I guess, is that good or bad, it passes. And therein lies our quest, right? To document. To hope. To embrace. To thrive. To overcome. To love. To live. To stand in the light as you do so very well. And if you're interested, I've got an awesome chocolate fondue recipe. {{{HUGS}}}

Ali, I am sad for you also but I loved seeing the pictures you took and knowing that (taking them) gave you some comfort. Know, too, that He is with you through it all. ((((hugs))))

So glad your mom is there. Let her love on you. Pictures do remind us so of our blessings. And you are indeed blessed.

Kelly said exactly what I was thinking...

September 19, 2011

kelly said…

"Ali, the fact that your mom is in the photos brings comfort (the kind that puts tears in my eyes) to me as I know that if I was in a sad place, I would want the strength of my mom to help me through. From what you have written in the past, I know that your mom is strength for you, too. What good advice to work through some sadness with loving attention (through the camera) to the absolute reasons that life is as amazing and wonderful as it is even when it doesn’t feel amazing and wonderful."

And Ali, I am sending prayers your way because you have touched my heart and been such an inspiration to me in my memorykeeping and also living with intention everyday!

(HUGS) Ali. It breaks my heart to know you are feeling sad. Some of us have been following you for a long tme now. We gather all this inspiration from you and try to take it back to our own craft table...to our own lives. And along the way I feel like I've gotten to know a part of you and a part of your family. Thank you for being so open and honest. For sharing. For being a an amazing source of inspiration. I am also glad to see your Mom with you. My Mom is my go to person. Please know I am thinking about you and sending lots of good thoughts your way. Take care.

Having been through the dark spaces and challenging times I find this quote helpful; “All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.” Julian of Norwich. Positive thoughts for you and your family.

Sending well wishes your way!

Oh how well I remember those days years ago! So many things pulling us in so many directions! However, as I look back now, I kept my focus on the kids and they grew up well, happy and we are great friends now. My husband & I are better friends now than then . . . we made it through! Life is good. Looking forward to retirement. Stress is all a part of being human.

Hugs to you & your family. Don't let go!

Thanks for the reminder. Hope your troubles can pass by quickly.

This was a really inspiring post, Ali. I, too, am going through challenges (over a year now, actually), but i never thought to take photos. I think I'm going to try it.

Prayers and well-wishes sent your way.

oh Ali, you speak so much truth and inspire so many. big hugs.

I'm so sorry to read that your heart is heavy right now. I can totally relate. My Mom passed away unexpectedly in February the day before her 43rd Wedding Anniversary. I had started a P365 this year, and even though it was tough...is tough, I am really thankful that I grabbed that camera and took pictures throughout that whole time. I captured some really beautiful shots. The P365 allowed me to get some random everyday shots that I wouldn't normally have. One I treasure is one of my Mom holding the dog about two weeks before she passed. I also have a picture of her shopping at Target, that I took from behind her. She didn't know I took it at the time.

Photography also helped me connect with my Dad, he was a photographer...there is still a darkroom in our garage. My budding interest in photography (I got my DSLR sometime in March), as well as analog and "toy" cameras, allowed me to bond with my Dad in another way. He's got so much knowledge in that area and is willing to share.

Huge hugs to you.

Ali--I have been thinking of you lately. Please know that things will get better. I promise. Slow down, enjoy your kids, and give yourself time to work thru all of this. Life can be so hard sometimes, but lots of people love you :-) and that makes it so wonderful...

Hi Ali, sorry to hear things are still so difficult. I applaud you for trying to see the light and embracing positivity amidst your struggles. Sending positive thoughts, love & hugs from afar.

Oh Ali, I'm so sorry you are going through a rough time. I think a lot of us have been in a similar place and know how difficult life can be. I'm praying things get better for you and you are able to work through your difficulties.

I agree with everyone else--it is heartbreaking to "see" you so sad. It is part of your story, though, and documenting it helps you really feel it all and work through it. It gives a great picture for your children in future years as well. Sometimes our stories take twists we never expect or want, but they are still worth telling. I keep praying for you all.

Christine

I go on your blog everyday and you are in my thoughts.

So sad for you that life is hard right now. Sometimes they just have to be lived through, one day at a time. Sending you good thoughts that you will come through this and find the joy again.

Ali - Thank you for being real during the struggles in your own life. I appreciate that you are honest about your life. Too often it feels like people are hiding the struggles of real life, and I think it keeps us from really connecting. I hope for the best for you and your family, and appreciate that you are sharing your life with us through everything.

That seems to be the time when I get the best pictures. Thanks for sharing such intimate pictures!