One...

Happy 1st Birthday Oliver!

It's been one hell of a ride.  You've made us appreciative of so many things in life.  Sleep may be at the top of the list :)

Through it all, I feel most fortunate to have your Mom by my side. You see...she's the key to it all and I'm confident you'll pick up on that over the years ahead.

I love your hugs and that smile you wear more times than not.  You make all of us laugh and you have your mom's sparkle in your eyes.

We're lucky to have you son...and we're really excited to celebrate with you today...

Oliver.

Owl-iver.

Ollimon.

Ollie.

We love you!

Find Something to Hold on to...

These days I find my head swirling

…and while I think fatigue is always a given

Life is just…

Swirling

…with good news and bad

…via social media feeds

Texts

Calls

…whether they’re my own, Sara’s or someone else close to me

The flow…is fierce

Any lulls are short lived

…but welcome

So welcome

…like a quiet morning just before first light

When the world, it seems…

Doesn’t quite rest (as it should)..

…but pause

…for a quick breath

Before jumping back into the hustle

Where simple walks with Finn make way…

…for a clear head

And promise of nothing more than a walk.
The here. The now.

I experience this like everyone else

…but can’t help feeling removed more times than not

Feet firmly planted in my own mire…

…sunken down a few inches into the sediment as if I’m making every effort to take root

To be steadfast

Detached

…to resist.

And I watch

…and can almost see the wind kick up

…and the swirl start

…and the torrent of activity

Sucking up all within its path…

…willing or not

A new day is here.

Find something to hold on to…

Boys Hope Girls Hope

It's been about a year in the making -- I'm happy to share that I'll be documenting the good things happening at Boys Hope Girls Hope Baltimore in 2016. Last week I visited both homes and I'm really looking forward to meeting all of the kids and helping to tell their stories.  When I do this sort of work, I truly feel the impact of photography...and my heart beats a little stronger. Stay tuned...

January...

Slower days.

I've disconnected in a lot of ways...

...from the larger, social world

...and like a hibernating bear, I'm finding comfort in my cave.

The solitude soothes me...

...giving my own thoughts room to breathe and meander.

To just be.

It won't be like this long.

The demands of life and providing dictate otherwise.

But these mornings....

...these slower days

Sustain me.