A Baby's Hug

I am not certain who is the author of this story but it has touched me so deeply I felt the need to share it.

We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed
everyone was quietly sitting and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, 'Hi.' He
pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and hi s
mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.
I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with
a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair
was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose
was so varicose it looked like a road map.
We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled. His hands waved and flapped on
loose wrists. 'Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,' the man said to Erik.
My husband and I exchanged looks, 'What do we do?'
Erik continued to laugh and answer, 'Hi.'
Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was
creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from
across the room, 'Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo.'
Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk.
My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running
through his repertoire for the admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute
comments.
We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and
told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. 'Lord,
just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,' I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I
turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik
leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby's 'pick-me-up' position. Before I could
stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man.
Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love and kinship. Erik
in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder.
The man's eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime,
pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever
loved so deeply for so short a time.
I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set
squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, 'You take care of this baby.'
Somehow I managed, 'I will,' from a throat that contained a stone.
He pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my
baby, and the man said, 'God bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift.'
I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband
was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, 'My God, my
God, forgive me.'
I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin,
who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a
Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, 'Are you willing to
share your son for a moment?' when He shared His for all eternity.
The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, 'To enter the Kingdom of God, we must
become as little children.'
Sometimes, it takes a child to remind us of what is really important. We must always remember
who we are, where we came from and, most importantly, how we feel about others. The clothes
on your back or the car that you drive or the house that you live in does not define you at all; it is
how you treat your fellow man that identifies who you are.

“THE LAW OF LOVE CAN BEST BE UNDERSTOOD AND LEARNED THROUGH LITTLE
CHILDREN.” (MAHATMA GANDHI)

Quotes...

Just a few favorite quotes to share with you today....

"For I know the plans I have for you saith the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future."-Jeremiah 29:11

"There is a garden in every childhood, and enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air is softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again"~ Elizabeth Lawrence

"When you are dealing with a child keep all your wits about you, and sit on the floor"~ Austin O'Malley

"Kids: they dance before they learn there is anything that isnt music"~ William Stafford

" To take photographs is to hold one's breath when all faculties converge in the face of fleeing reality. It is at that moment that mastering an image becomes a physical and intelectual joy"~Henri Cartier-Bresson

"When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies"~ Sir James M. Barrie, in Peter Pan

And one that has always stuck with me....."When you wish upon a star, it wont get you very far. Because stars you know can't grant wishes...so you better get a job"-Mom, Lyn Perillo

Sipping Iced Tea While Decorating the Christmas Tree.....

Well folks, this was supposed to be a picture of my little bean sprout in his Christmas sweater for a card that would be sent out this season....it looks like he is wearing a sweater in the middle of summer! Many of you know I am staying in Augusta, Ga....should have been named Hotgusta! It was almost 80 degrees today! So much for sipping hot chocolate while decorating the tree with the sounds of a crackling fire in the background. Guess it will have to be guzzling iced tea while decorating the tree this year! Ah well, so in life we do not always end up exactly where we think we want to be. It is still my favorite time of year so I suppose I will start brewing some tea!

One of my new favorite things! I love my cowgirl boots! There's something about a great pair of comfy worn looking boots to lounge in...makes me wanna strum my guitar and sing a tune!

Thanks!

I love the fall. I love Thanksgiving, it is my favorite holiday! Not just because I can eat like a 116lb pig but because it is a time of fellowship, friends and family. And lets not forget Starbucks offering thier Pumkin Spice Latte and Peppermint Mocha!!....So I thought I would share in something I am thankful for today. If you dont feel too guilty about paying five bucks for a coffee, go treat yourself to one today and think of something you are thankful for! Happy Saturday friend!.....By the way, I am thankful for you too! May God Bless you today!

This is my first photo shoot...Berkeley Elizbeth Jones. I had so much fun with this session! She was a little hungry! I just love this photo!

Here goes Jamie!

Well, let's just start off with a big toast! Here's to looking like an idiot for a while! I have figured out the blog thing so far...as you can see not really so far at all, huh? At any rate, here's to the beginning of a journey. Here's to jumping in head first and trusting my Lord that if I fall flat on my face that the journey will still somehow bring glory to his name. I am so excited to start my photography business. Taking images and preserving those timeless memories has become a passion I believe God has placed deep within my heart. So, I am trusting him. I want so desperately to be in his will so I am embarking on this journey with my hand in his and trusting that he will open what doors he wants for me and close those that I should not enter in to. There is something to be said for walking blind folded while hand-in-hand with my creator. I am peaceful because I am never without Him.

Hopefully, this blog will become more interesting and will have many may images I have taken to share with you. By the way, if you are interested in having some photos taken for the holidays or for any occasion I am up for the challenge. I know my limitations and where I am in the game so I think you will like my prices! I guess I am partial, but my images are pretty darn good and I am no where near the cost of the pros. Please call or e-mail me if you would like a session with me!

So long for now.....and ENJOY your weekend, no mater what you find yourself doing!

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future

This was about a year ago..maybe longer. It was one my first shots with my new Nikon camera and its turned out to be one of my favorite photos of little sunshine man.

I think I have a model in the making! Wow, is he handsome or what! Everytime I look at this photo I chuckle....what attitude!

I've got the cutest little boy in the world! Today, as everyday I am thankful for this amazing little blessing God has given me!