Add

Family Pictures Not Taken


You may remember this post which was originally featured as a guestblog on Overwhelmed!’s blog. Family pictures. And the fact that ours will never be complete. Well, the pictures came in today. I scanned them. I showed them off. I smiled at how pretty my family looks.

And then I broke down in a fit of sobbing messiness.

She’s not there. She’s just. not. there. She’s missing. While it may seem like the three people complete the picture in a family type way, there’s one person missing. Two if you want to get further technical. It really just stung me. This is the first portraits we’ve had done as a family. Yes, we’ve had some snapshots taken by friends and family of the three of us, but nothing “professional.” This picture, purchased in a 10×13, will hang on our wall for all to see.

And every single time I look at it, I won’t see the fact that whitening my teeth the night before was a good decision. I won’t see how much BigBrother is starting to look like J. I’ll see the missing girl.

And so, part because I was bored and like to play with graphics and part home-remedy therapy, I fixed it. Of course, the size proportion is off. The coloring isn’t the same though I tried to mess with brightness and contrast to get the same studio effect on the lighting. It was the best I could do.

But she’s there. Just like she is in my heart.


Family Pictures Not Taken

The Discussion

see what everyone is saying

  • afrindiemum September 14th, 2006 at 8:59 pm #1

    aw, look at her. such a sweetie. i like your fix :)

  • Katie September 15th, 2006 at 11:35 am #2

    Your “fixed” picture made me cry…

  • dawnfriedman September 15th, 2006 at 12:46 pm #3

    Made me cry, too — she’s beautiful (like her mama).

  • Mary September 15th, 2006 at 1:46 pm #4

    absolutely perfect!

  • Margie September 16th, 2006 at 4:01 pm #5

    Jenna, it’s absolutely beautiful – as is your entire family :)

  • FauxClaud September 18th, 2006 at 12:03 am #6

    Yes, I have one of those too. Of all my four children together, it almost looks real. It’s on my keychain.

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.

Ads






Tag Cloud

Articles Baby Week birth stories blogging body image Books Bristol Palin celebrities change contests Dawn is Awesome death Discovery Health donations Election 2008 encouragement Family gifts hair healing i'm too radical journal writing Laurie Berkner Letters Madline Spohr memories Mom It Forward mommyblogs Mother's Day Open Adoption Bloggers Open Adoption Roundtable peace people in our story Politics roles Sarah Palin Steven Curtis Chapman stories The Shack The Time Traveler's Wife titles weddings Women of Faith words Writing

Random Posts Recent Comments

  • Judy Says:

    Boy oh boy, can I relate to this right now. Just had a "friend" of 20 years tell me that every thou...

  • Suz Says:

    Have to agree with the other commentor. Anyone who finds you to be one dimensional should look at t...

  • domestic extraordinaire Says:

    It gave me chills....and made me misty. I would totally come with if you wanted in May. Let me know...

  • Marianne Says:

    In response to the first paragraph, what business is it of theirs what you do? These are your blogs...

  • katie Says:

    As well, of course, as all those whose first-born died... or who lost one or more before their first...

  • brown Says:

    Pretty much sums up my thoughts this morning when I saw the same. I could put up a pic of my parent...

  • Jenna Says:

    Look! We're all emo-anxious together! Technically it reads first child, which she is, no? That sa...

  • Dee Says:

    I do understand why you aren't putting her picture up. On the flip side of it, it would feel weird f...

  • etropic Says:

    I so was thinking the same thing. My son that I relinquished turns 11 in 3 weeks. So that little "t...

  • Jenna Says:

    I knew/know. But it's still... it's something that I can't quite explain. Maybe I'll work on that po...