The Truth - Dan & Claire

A thought transfixed me:

for the first time in my life I saw the truth as it is set into song by so many poets,

proclaimed as the final wisdom by so many thinkers.

The truth --

that love is the ultimate and highest goal to which man can aspire.

Then I grasped the meaning of the greatest secret that human poetry
and human thought and belief have to impart:

The salvation of man is through love and in love. 

-Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning

On December 22nd 2009 my wonderful friend and former roommate Claire married the equally wonderful love of  her life Dan. They had a beautiful wedding and very classy reception to compliment the great story that is theirs.

I was honored to be asked to take some snapshots at their reception.  It was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla, CA,and was a challenge in extreme low light photography.  But with a few makeshift napkin filters and a forgiving friend who understood the limitations and gave me some artistic license we were able to get a few good ones. And, with a happy couple, a live jazz band, and a room full of people who love do dance, how could you possibly go wrong!

(Oh..and her grandmother caught the bouquet!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haiti - Keeper of My Heart

"I am he; yea, I am he that comforteth you.

Behold, who art thou that thou shouldst be afraid....

...and by whom shall I comfort thee?"

-2 Nephi 8:12, 19

Haiti was hit by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake last night at roughly 5pm  EST.  It was followed by two large 5.9/5.7 aftershocks. The epicenter was only 10 miles from the densely populated capitol of Port-au-Prince.  For a country that lives in desperate conditions daily, this  event was indescribably catastrophic.

My heart has been effected on so many levels, I can't even begin to process the thoughts and feelings that are emerging.  Do you focus on relief  efforts? Getting the word out? Convincing others to help? To care? Do you buy a plane ticket?

There are so many things I want to say....to do.....but the words catch in my throat....  So, I will leave the sharing of statistics and disaster facts to the news.  I will rely on the Red Cross to find a way to provide clean water and emergency care.  I will pray to God to send the arms of angels to comfort the hearts of the people.  I will maintain a countenance of hope and soul full of faith.

Don't worry Haiti, this too shall pass.  And while I can't be there now, I will be coming soon, to do what little I can with these little hands...

...little hands that are filled with an immense love.

(Please visit www.children-in-need.us to donate to the relief effort) 

Polar Bear Plunge 2010

'We will open the book. It's pages are blank.  We are going to put the words on them ourselves.

The book is called Opportunity and it's first chapter is New Year's Day.'

-Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Happy New Year!

Another fresh new year is here...

Another year to live!

To banish worry, doubt, and fear,

To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me

To live each day with zest...

To daily grow and try to be 

My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity

Once more to right some wrongs,

To pray for peace, to plant a tree,

And sing more joyful songs!

-William Arthur Ward

I started off the year by taking a dip in the frozen Atlantic with a few hundred other crazy Bostonians in the annual 'Polar Bear Plunge' sponsored by the "L" Street Brownies, the oldest Polar Bear club in the US.  It was invigorating, very cold, and very fun.  It ended up being just us girls, and we randomly ran into the Preeces, a family I nanny for in Cambridge. 

I, unfortunately, do not have any photos of the initial mass 'plunge', because...well... I was plunging! But I do have some fun before and after shots.  Enjoy! And embrace the opportunities of the New Year! 

(  Hey!  I found some news photos that show us in the water! Just click:  News & photo  Slideshow  )