I’ll admit that it’s been hard lately to hold on to the Christmas spirit; with each passing year I seem to be, well, less joyful. I’ve become somewhat a Christmas curmudgeon, a Scrooge, a Grinch. It’s cliché to say that the best bits of Christmas are long gone, replaced by gift grabbing, pepper-spraying, rugged individuals…it’s a cliché but I don’t think it makes it any less true. So when this week rolled around you can imagine my mood; I’d pretty much worked myself into a froth. It must have been evident to my family. It’s hard to hide this level of grumpiness. One particularly frantic morning I made for the door in a hurry knowing I’d be stuck in traffic filled with finger-flipping, horn-blasting, gridlocked Christmas elves. I was just about out when I heard my daughter yelling.
“Daddy, Daddy, wait!”
“What is it Button? Daddy’s late for work.”
She pulled her hand out from behind her back to reveal her teddy bear. With the sweetest smile she handed him to me and said, “he’ll keep you company if you get lonely.”
I think my little girl saved Christmas.
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Apologies to my Facebook friends who’ve already heard this story. I’ll be taking a break from posting over the Holidays but I’m giddy with excitement at the prospect of spending some time shooting (finally). I hope each and every one of you has a Holiday filled with the loving warmth of friends and family and a peaceful New Year.
27 Comments
fantastic macro, love the shallow dof
Hold on Chris! Looking forward to more pictures!
Perhaps the purity of the Christmas spirit is best revealed in the hope and innocence of the very young. I am happy for you Chris that your little girl was able to lift your mood! Your image today is extraordinary… the subject, the selective focus, the angle, the color, the simplicity of composition, and the squiggly line in the background. Beautiful.
really nice pastel shade and interesting interpretation love your selective focus,,, nice week my friend
This is so timely and beautiful..and one in true holiday spirit. A memory that you’ll treasure forever! Merry Christmas!!!
Beautiful macro I like the shallow dof.
to quote a line from the class Charlie Brown Christmas special …. “you need involvement Charlie Brown”
I don’t care about Xmas; just happy for my nieces & all the kids able to enjoy, but i love the beginning of a new Year full of hopes & trying to make them turn true ! Great ascendant feel here and love the white curls in the bokeh. Have a sweet Xmas season with your darlings, Christopher*
beautiful shot…love the focus
it seems it is holding on so tightly and nice shiny body!
Lovely ladybug.
Thank you for all the good cheer this entire year, and have a wonderful holiday break with your family. I look forward to seeing what you emerge with in the New Year!
Have a wonderful Christmas with all your loved ones Chris… and a peaceful time out shooting some great stuffs
We’ll be taking a break too.
love the bug.. and your Button’s very thoughful nature. She indeed saved Christmas
CYA next year.. take care and thank you for all your encouraging and lovely comment!
Thanks again for sharing that story. I love it when kids make us slow down and appreciate the things that are right in the world. It’s like they’re here to bring back balance at that moment.
Have a happy holiday Christopher. See you on the other side!
Wonderful photo! i like!
Happy holidays Christopher.
Elegant and beautiful!
excellent close-up
Great one, love the dof and the soft colors!
Although I don’t “know” you Chris, curmudgeonly is not a word that springs to mind as a description. Quite the reverse.
The real joy of Christmas is in the little things; you’ve got Button and your son – and I have Emerson, my one year old grandson to play with. What more could we ask for?
Anyway, enjoy your shooting, and I hope that you and your family have (and I quote) A Simply Wonderful Christmas Time.
ho, hisse, joyeux noel
Nice shot, love the line of focus.
Good to hear your daughter saved the Christmas spirit somewhat.
I used to be a bit of a grinch myself, but since getting married and having a great niece and nephew I’m a lot more into it. It’s just nice to be together with family, this year we made cards together rather than buying them which was fun too. It’s the little things like spending quality time together and doing stuff together other than just buying stuff that brings out the best of the season.
Christopher, wonderfull play with the DOF!!
Beautiful story Chris.
In so many ways Christmas has lost it’s meaning and become overshadowed from “consuming”.
Beautiful image and and I just love that DOF.
nicely caught. happy holidays.
Lovely macro with pretty colors!
wonderful shot, color, Christopher Happy and Prosperous New Year 2012 , ahoj
i went through that for several years and came out on the other side with a better and different look at this time of year. not a fan of creepy critters, but must admit the pastel background sets this one apart. feels very airy.
Christopher, je ne te souhaite pas une année extraordinaire… non non… Juste une année remplie de petits bonheurs, des choses simples qui te feront vibrer tout au long de cette année 2012. Beaucoup d’inspiration, de belles photos et du partage… Amicalment. Olivier