Sunday
Nov212010
Snapshots
November 21, 2010 * * * * * Posted by: Marcie 
An elderly man – stooped and grey – bent over to unhitch his dog from the post to which he was tethered. The dog – an aging chocolate lab whose whiskers had faded– struggled to get himself to his feet. To please his master. To accompany and escort him. I watched as the two of them hobbled and limped and leaned into one another…ever-so-slowly making their way. Each – dependant on the other – to get safely back home. I wondered which of the two would be the first to go..and for whom the loss will be greater. The possibility of the sweet loyal pup out-living his mate..was as difficult a thought to bear as was the one of the old man remaining. They were clearly a pair.
That will someday be me..I thought. But – not yet.
With three young kids in tow – a young…worn out and very tired looking woman made her way thru the aisles of the supermarket. The infant was held safe and secure and asleep in her snugli. The baby was doing his best to climb out of his seat..screaming in frustration at the straps that were holding him. The toddler was running up and down the aisles pulling things off shelves..faster than his mother could possibly keep up. I couldn’t help but be struck by her patience..her calm…her love – in spite of her obvious exhaustion.
That was once me…I thought. But – not now.
Snapshots. Little things that – over this past week - I picked up along my way. Moments- of seeming unimportance - that might otherwise pass me right by. If I didn’t stop. If I didn’t look. If I didn’t see.
Having just recently celebrated a birthday - today – I am happily to be found somewhere in between. To the young mother..I might appear old..perhaps even old enough to be her childrens’ grandmother. From where sits the elderly gent..I must look very young with a whole lifetime to live. Here I am. Too young to be old. Too old to be young. Relieved of the daily pleasures and perils and endless responsibilities of young kids and family. Not yet weighed down and slowed by a feeble body and failing mind. There are mountains to climb and oceans to cross before any of that. It’s a good place to be – this ‘middle’. With so much still ahead and to look forward to..and with so much now left behind.
A conversation I had with a woman who I’ve known for years – now 96-years-young – sticks with me. Now legally blind and unable to drive or navigate the world without support..and with shoulder and knee cartilage so worn away that movement is often painful. She was getting herself dressed and ready for her daily early morning swim. We talked small talk. Nothing of great importance or seeming relevance to anything at all. It was somewhere between the review of the day’s weather report and the latest Hollywood scut that she slipped it in. When she gets truly old – she said - is when she’ll start sleeping late in the morning. Until then – she added - she’ll continue to get herself up early and do what she does. Because each new day is awaiting. A beautiful gift.
That’s it….I thought. That’s who I need to be. Not tomorrow..but today. If that’s not inspiring..what is?
At times I’m grateful that I record these moments. Nothing but snapshots…passing images...seemingly unimportant snippets and parts and pieces of my life. Always - with a camera over one shoulder and a pen and paper in hand. It’s these little things that keep me present. It’s the tiniest of pearls that make it all real.
Reader Comments (26)
I'm somewhere in the middle as well, and also just celebrated a birthday, but I feel like that elderly man and your 96 year old friend with the worn out cartilage. I like her attitude, though, and would be wise to adopt it.
your lovely, but also rather bittersweet, post makes me think of the times when i try and imagine myself in someone's life. i often do this; from the maasai girl i see out in a far-off boma, to say a harried mother with a screaming infant tied around her chest in a bandana - and i look at them and think what if i were them, what if that was my life. and how am i supposed to be at this age, early 40s....what do i look like to other people, and am i supposed to be something other than this. and i love how you talk of snapshots of your life, recording all the moments - good and bad - as you go along. i think it's that that makes me realise that i have come a long way, have moved happily into my 40s from my not so happy 30s.
oh, and happy birthday for today!!!!!!!! :)
Snapshot maybe, great shot for sure
you might guess that this morning (happy birthday), your essay resonates with me. (see aunt ruth as reference) it is less your wisdom of understanding the middle by embracing the importance of today but your daily practice of noticing details with a camera and a pad that delights and inspires. not a minute wasted by you, and how fortunate are we to share in what you see.
Happy recent birthday, Marcie! I guess all of us women are in the middle somewhere, even if closer to one end than the other. We know we've been around the block or two and therefore aren't spring chicks, but neither are we feeling anywhere close to kicking the bucket. The middle. We're the 'tweeners. All that much more, perhaps, we need to pay attention to the snapshots, as you have so eloquently written about here. Your image feels highly symbolic...the wise owls taking flight, the emotional Mother Moon observing, the grounded grasses raising their Hallelujahs. It feels like a Thanksgiving paean.
One of the things I am grateful for this Thanksgiving is finding this site. Every day I come here and am moved, made to laugh and inspired. Today was no exception. Thank you all for this.
Beautifully written post, Marcie. You should be grateful at ALL times that you are recording these moments, I know I am so grateful for your lovely images and now I want to see more of what's in your note book!
You are an inspiration, Marcie. Happy Birthday! I always look forward to your images and words as I am almost always moved. I wish I could come spend a week with you--be your shadow--and learn from you. Thank you for putting your gifts so freely and beautifully into the world.
Snapshots. Everyday conversations. Often we dis-card them, thinking they are insignificant. But, you my friend, find beauty and significance in the most ordinary, every-day people and events. Thank you once again for sharing your "tiniest of pearls that make it all real." Thank you for sharing your gifts...
Happy Birthday Marcie! Toni's was friday. Middle age is a good time to be. Enjoy it!
This hit very close to home, Marcie. I'm at the same stage, very conscious now that life is slipping away at a faster rate that I would have thought possible. Wanting to make the most of what is left, and trying to keep that little bit of worry about how well I will age in its place. Too young to be old, too old to be young. That describes it perfectly. Your friend is an inspiration - I better just keep my head up and my feet moving.
The middle place - yes, that's where I am, too. I love how you describe it - too young to be old, too old to be young. Not a bad place actually, and sometimes I feel moving between both places. I had to say good-bye to a few things - my ice-skates, my physical flexibility (stiffness!) - but I gained a lot over the years (besides weight) - I am calmer now, take it more slowly, allow myself to think before I do (most times). And yes, there are still mountains to climb (literally) and oceans to cross.
as you wander up and down the aisles of what is your life, look for the most colourful items, the ones that are a remarkably good deal and of course, the ones that will give you memories. happy birthday.
Happy birthday to you today!
What a beautiful reflection on time.
"too young to be old too old to be young"..that just says it all for me
as well..happiest of birthday to you ..i really think you are so talented in a down to earth way if that makes sense to you...
I love your last line Marcie...tiniest of pearls! Everything begins to become so rich as we gain in age...Everything matters, has a purpose and means something.Happy Birthday!
“too young to be old too old to be young” that is what I have a tiny struggle with occasionally ;-) Your words makes so much sense to me and your images touches my heart Marcie.
Hope I can have your older friend's attitude--today and always. Thanks for sharing.
The tiniest of pearls, yes, exactly those that make it all real, that make it all worthwhile. This was beautiful and wonderful on so many levels...but that stating in the present, that wonder, that awareness, pearls indeed.
YOur thoughts resonate with me, Marcie. So beautifully written. I look at people older & younger all of the time and think the same...that will one day be me...that was once me.
I love your 96 years young friend's sentiments...when she gets "truly old" she will sleep late. How I adore her attitude!
Thank you for sharing this with us. And thank you for all of your writing and photography. You inspire me!
Happy,Happy Birthday!!! :)
I admire your being in the NOW, thanks for reminding me once again. I LOVE that picture
Both your photo and words capture so well the feeling of being somewhere between. I love the transition of light that you capture.
Happy Birthday, Marcie. I just celebrated my birthday as well and very much relate to this post - wonderful words to reflect upon. - so thoughtfully written.
Your photography always inspires me. You are very talented.
A beautiful, thought-provoking post, Marcie. (I must have missed it when originally published. Here today via Shutter Sisters). I'm such a huge fan of your photography I sometimes forget what a wonderful writer you are! :-) Happy Belated Birthday!!