Jessica Latshaw

musician. writer. dancer.

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grateful.

Posted By on June 14, 2010 in I Lift My Eyes Up, Loved Ones, photography, Thoughts and Feelings | 9 comments

One fun thing about leggings is that they have no pockets.

Okay, so that’s not like the most fun thing, but bear with me.

Because see, since they have no pockets, that means that I hand my camera over to other people  to store in their pockets for the day.

Thank God not all of us are in the habit of wearing leggings. Although, Jase did admit today that they do look quite comfortable.

But by the end of the day, I find pictures that I didn’t even know were taken.

Like this one, compliments of my sister Jenna.
And there are so many things that I love about this picture. Our shadows stretching out long behind us, mingling with each other. The light spilling out over the mountain, like the sky alone can no longer contain its rays so the mountain steps in to bear some of the grand burden of light.

And the sense of togetherness, too. How we’re all walking in the same direction, resolutely, almost.

It makes me think of another picture. One that was taken about six months ago, out here in California, too.

And I love this picture so much.

But it’s interesting. Ollie’s little hand in mine felt like a role reversal. Usually it’s the adult bringing comfort to the kid, right? But at that time in my life, he was comforting me; he didn’t know it, but he was helping to fight what came over me so easily then: a feeling of aloneness.

And that other picture has a greater feeling of being surrounded. Again, of togetherness. Which is about right, presently.

And these days when people ask me how I am, there’s one word that comes to mind: grateful. And yes, I’m so much more; life is usually evoking more from me than one word affords.  But still, when I was showering tonight, washing out the Pacific Ocean from my hair, I couldn’t help but remember how good life is and how it comes and goes, like the waves that beat upon the shore, taking and giving but always remaining mysterious and awesome and interesting and full of magic and when the waters recede, I think I’m still here; when the waters recede, I know I’m still here.

And I’m grateful.

9 Comments

  1. sarah June 14, 2010

    I love the pictures..and i love the togetherness. i love how pictures can capture so much..and i love that you have those special people in your life:)

  2. jason June 14, 2010

    In that first picture, it looks like you’re walking into heaven.

    • jessica June 14, 2010

      and of course Darb would bring a bottle of water to heaven.
      just in case they don’t have enough for all of us, lol.

    • jessica June 14, 2010

      I love these pics too:)

      And thanks!

  3. Anna K June 14, 2010

    “remember how good life is and how it comes and goes, like the waves that beat upon the shore, taking and giving but always remaining mysterious and awesome and interesting and full of magic”
    This is such a very amazing feeling when you grab onto it, isn’t it? Thank you for the reminder!

    • jessica June 14, 2010

      and thanks for living a life like that, Anna…and again, it was SO LOVELY to actually get to see you the other day. Love serendipitous moments like that:)

  4. Kaye June 15, 2010

    “There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart”
    Celia Thaxter (American Poet, 1836-1894)

    I picked up on your blog about being grateful, and thought you might appreciate this quote.

    I am a new author of a book titled: When I Am Grateful
    It’s a gift book that outlines the ‘stuff’ that can happen to us everyday and then reminds
    the reader how we can be grateful, even in the most challenging times.

    You can view a book video on my site which gives you a free peek.
    Go to: wheniamgrateful.com

    Have a Grateful Day!

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