I Will Swallow My Pride
I attended the 50th birthday party of a friend of mine last night. Her husband did it up nicely by "hiring" a party planner (a colleague who plans parties as a side business) who, in turn, arranged the caterers and bartenders. There were several food stations that featured cuisine from Greece, Italy, Mexico, and parts of Asia. I had a few cosmos, the last one quite strong (which might explain why my brain is a bit fuzzy today).
My friend made a grand appearance down the stair case, arriving to the presentation of a video slide show compiled by a cousin. There were photos of my friend from her childhood (including two family trips to Israel), photos of her with her now deceased parents, photos from her days in nursing school, their wedding photos, the requisite pregnancy photos, and all sorts of vacation photos. The photos were put together on a DVD slide show with a music soundtrack. It was quite lovely to see.
As I watched the first fifty years of my friend's life unfold on the television, it occurred to me that I doubt there are more than a handful of photos of me that were taken in the past 11 years (since my first child was born). I don't allow myself to be photographed often because of my weight, and I'm almost always the one taking the photos of the kids either alone or with their dad. I just don't like my photo be taken.
I was struck with the realization that should my children want to have photo albums of me to show their own children in the future, that will be nearly impossible since I don't allow myself to be photographed.
How sad that my vanity would deprive my grandchildren and great-children of the privilege of knowing who I am through photos. I suppose there's still time to swallow my pride for the sake of future generations, right?
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To find out more and to help find a cure, please visit the Pulmonary Hypertension Association web site. Thank you for your support.
While I have breath, I have PHenomenal Hope.
17 who succumbed to the siren's call:
Shut with that! Have the photos done, you'll be upset if you don't. By the way, I think you're beautiful!
I don't like pics of me much either. Do what you want sweetie--but--if i's your stated goal to leave them images--you might want to do some more video. I think it's really cool to preserve your singing as well.
This really makes me think as I am the exact same way - if it's not my weight, it's my latest face breakout that always sends me running for cover whenever I see a camera.
You make a really good point. I might have some swallowing to do too.
Let someone else have the camera and pose for the pictures Desert Songbird. You are so right here. Have a great day. :)
Please DO swallow your pride and say "cheese!" more often. I understand not wanting to have your picture taken due to one's weight - I've been there. And I'm sure that's the reason my beloved only aunt who I adored almost never let anyone take her picture...she died suddenly at the young age of 50, and we have no more than a handful, a small handful, of pictures of her.
My mom hates having her picture made, too, but since my aunt's death, I have stopped taking no for an answer...I'm annoying and obnoxious about it, I'm sure, but I'm not going to be left with very few photos of my mom. And I don't want her only grandson to be left without them either. They'll be treasured one day, and so will photos of YOU. ;)
honey i used to feel that way too! but then i thought "what the hell", this is who i am. love me or don't, no matter, i love life and have a blast!
smiles, bee
this was a bit convicting for me...okay more than a bit.
I think we all do that - I hate pictures too. But it is true....my kids will be sad some day when there aren't any of me.
Get some pics of you with your kids - that way they can stand in front of you. (that's what I do - hides my hips)
I will speak for myself and say I'd like to see more pictures of you... you shine dear.
Think I see wrinkles when I look at pics of my mom? Nope... I see her eyes, her smile... and you know, I don't have enough pics of her.
Get them taken. Please.
Let the pictures be taken and the film developed, you look just fine. Cheers!!
Songbird, you are beautiful, and I'd like to see more photos of you too! So Please take more.
I do that too, I hate having photos taken of me, for some reason or another. You've brought up a really good point. I hadn't thought of it that way.
I have one photo of my dad before he passed away with Marissa when she was 3months old. I wish I had more. It is a shame that, my children don't know what their grandfather looks like.
I know what you mean about always being the one taking the photos. I have to remember to ask DH to take photos of me and the girls. Otherwise, it will look like I wasn't even there!
Get thee a tripod, woman! Your kids will want lots of pictures of you when they have their own grandchildren...
I think it all depends on what you want to do. You shouldn't guilt yourself into doing something that makes you uncomfortable.
I don't have kids, so I should probably keep my mouth shut on this issue.
Jaxoma said.....I, too, am of the same sentiment as you, but it sure gave me something to think about. We need to set aside our own insecurities about our looks and allow our children and grandchildren judge for themselves how they view us. So......let's get our photos taken.
OMG! That post describes me exactly!!! I am just usually BEHIND the camera lens. I will make a bit more of an effort to be in front as well. Great post, girl!
You're right. I hate having my picture taken too. but I feel the same way as you do. When my kids are olders and they look at the old photos, there won't be any of me.
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