Until Then...

A typically adorable image of the Mac Family...mommy and daddy looking all fine and baby Preston with her serious face!

For not the first time in recent months, I find myself wide awake at 5:00 a.m. on a day that I could sleep in till at least 8:00.  My mind is swirling with the activities of the last month when my daughter and her family first arrived back in the states.  Every day I have spent with this sweet family has been beyond what I dreamed before they got here, and a whole lot more. The laughter of my little Preston resonates in every part of the house as she moves about her daily business, which is flitting from room to room like a little butterfly who has nothing more important to do than to be beautiful and spread joy to those who will but take a look.  She is a tiny little package bursting with fun in everything she does.  Her mother, on the other hand, has a generous amount of "fret" over her, as mommy makes sure that she is given all the right things that fuel that enormous amount of energy.  She day after day, night after night willingly and patiently showers her with the love she needs to be such a confident being at the ripe ol' age of two and, as a result of that, creating in her the firm foundation needed to grow her into a sound human being on planet earth.  It's totally evident by Hollie's demeanor that this little angel baby is the center of her life and caring for her is her greatest passion.  I am so proud.  My son-in-law mostly stands silently by placing his solid, strong mark on the family, quietly making sure his girls are safe and sound and protected...I am sure his mind is reeling on how he can make their life better, safer, more stable...until his private thoughts are interrputed when the little one pounces upon his head, turning his heart to her delightful squeals and her demands for attention from her knight in shining armor.  He is more than happy to oblige.  He is a good man.

As our time together this visit draws to a close, I am already dreading the moment when we arrive at the airport and, within minutes of saying goodbye, they disappear into the international terminal with their fifteen million suitcases.  In a mere 3.5 hours, they will be far away and I will be home once again, missing them like a blubbering fool.  As soon as I'm northbound on I-85, I begin to give myself a pep talk.  It won't be that long till I see them again...Preston won't change that much before our next visit...At least we can Skype and talk on the phone...They'll send me pictures...  It is a totally necessary and regular procedure every time they leave, those pep talks.  It's the reassurance I need to get through the next few weeks, as life without my daughter and her family nearby returns to the normal. The normal for me is going about my daily life, as I wholeheartedly plan for the next time I will see my kids.

Due to the gray, rainy days we have had recently in the metro area, we've had to postpone our annual photo shoot until yesterday when the conditions were pretty much perfect.  The sun was out, the temperature had warmed into the seventies, and we finally headed out to make it happen.  Even though I have photographed many children and many sweet families, nothing gives me greater joy than when I get to photograph my own family.  Nothing gives my heart more pleasure than to hopefully give them a legacy of beautiful images that will tell their story and remind them of my love long after I am gone.  I am so grateful to have the opportunity to enjoy work that brings me such satisfaction, and to share that fervor with my kids.

So until next time, sweet ones, take care and be sure to eat your veggies and wear your sunscreen in that hot adopted land you call home.  Laugh together a lot, take care of each other, and love each other unconditionally. Until we meet again, the images will have to keep me, the memories will have to hold me, the pride I have in you will have to strengthen me.  And never forget this...I love you to the moon and back, and that's a lot of love. Because, well, the moon is a long way from Georgia.

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Oh, yeah