Inspiration.

I pondered it for a long time.  The truth is, I find inspiration in so many places.  Curves, lines, colors, lighting, people, expressions, relationships.  So, I went about my life with this question hanging in the back of my head.  And a couple weeks ago, I worked an 80th birthday party of a dear friend of mine.  She is the mother of my neighbor.  My neighbor is the youngest of 7 and has 2 young daughters herself.  Those little girls are almost like my own.  I have been photographing them practically since each of their births.  That 80 year old woman has LIVED her life.  She had 5 children in her first marriage, and at a young age, fled a bad situation with all 5 children in tow.  Eventually, she met and married her husband and had two more children.  They have been married 39 years now.  Her youngest son was involved in a tragic car accident leaving him with a serious brain injury.  He hovered near death for a long time.  He is married (and was at the time), and is a father to an 8 year old autistic son.  This grandmother, this woman is full of peace, despite all the hurdles and struggles along the way, and there is no other way to describe it ~ inner peace with herself and a desire for peace for the world.  Her heroes include Thomas Merton and Mother Theresa.  Her home is decorated with her beliefs (Tibetan prayer flags), crosses of all styles, campaign signs (Obama), anti-war signs.  Her home is filled with love with family photos everywhere, in every nook and cranny.  Knick-knacks from around the world decorate everywhere.  Her home has been lived in and loved in.  And yesterday that dear sweet woman turned 80.  What a life.  In editing some photos from the birthday party, I kept coming back to this one.  It is the 80 year old birthday girl and her two year old granddaughter (my neighbor’s daughter).  I look at this image, and I see the spectrum of life, from one stage to another, generations holding onto each other and helping each other along the way.  Both gingerly in their steps, but moving forward together.  One life passing on to another.  Continuity in this universe.

It is these connections that inspire me the most.  When I capture an image like this, I consider myself so grateful to be a witness to this absolute beauty, this absolute love.  There is no greater inspiration.

Peace,

Aileen