The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

If you're a parent, you are well aware that not everything about parenting is pretty.  Some days, well, some days are just ugly.  They are long, hard, dirty, grumpy, force you to dig in your heels, and can down right bring you to tears.  So when one of those days came this week, the documentary photographer in me went for my camera, because these moments are just as important to me and our story as the bubbles-in-the-field-at-sunset moments.  While they are both real, the moments that have you in tears are more raw and hold an all important piece to who we are on the inside.  Building strength and independence requires some moments of grit and tears to remain determined enough to make your mark, even if it's over finishing your dinner.

 You see the size comparison between the remaining food and the crocodile tears, right?  And truth be told, I could have really cared less about her finishing her food.  She remained because she was playing while everyone else ate.  Of course, once everyone was gone to watch her show, that's when the tears set in.

 I didn't breathe a word to her.  I silently moved around her and shot.  This exchange lasted about ten minutes, and you can see that she quietly began to drink and take small bites on her own.  She then even started hiding, playing, and laughing with me and my camera.

Then, as soon as it had started, it was over.  She took her last bite and slowly slipped off her seat to go join the boys in watching her favorite super hero: a Super Girl who is her own strong and independent girl.

Until next time,