A Twenty Seven Year Love Story

Today Ray and I celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary. Our love story began at church. I was new to the area. He was well established, with a large circle of friends. It was that group of friends who brought Ray and I together.
One sweet friend, Bonnie, was working on getting us together by telling me how wonderful the man with the white hair was, and how I should meet him.  His best friend, Norm, was encouraging him to do the same.  More friends were in the cheering squad and standing on the sidelines, watching, hoping.  He and I were both very reluctant to meet, for different reasons. However, as fate would have it, (or the angels), one Sunday we were introduced. Five days later, he started talking marriage. 7 months later, he surprised me when he pulled out a ring and asked me to marry him, flying on a crowded plane to New York. By the time we landed, everyone on the plane was congratulating us. Two months later, we were married, surrounded by all the friends in the cheering section and our families. There was a round of spontaneous applause when we were pronounced man and wife. Norm officiated the ceremony. Bonnie was smiling in the audience, as if she had given birth. She had.

27 years later, a blended marriage with 5 children, 17 grandchildren, a life full of love, faith, family, friends, we continue to celebrate the moments, the hours, the years.  It is today, that I say thank you to that wonderful group of friends and to our families, to Bonnie and Norm for persevering, and to the man with whom I have shared a wonderful life. We have loved each other deeply. We have shared a deep love for our children together. Today he inspires all of us with his dignity, his spirit, his heart, his faith, facing each day against all odds, determined to stay with us one more day. And God has granted 2 reluctant people, a wonderful, fulfilling life together, and one more anniversary. Thank you, God!
"There is no surprise more magical than the surprise of being loved. It is God's finger on a man's shoulder. " Charles Morgan

The Warmth of Love

  I love photographing engaged couples. It is a new, exciting, and joyful beginning. A bright, and unexplored adventure is ahead. For those of us on the sidelines, their love and joy is infectious. We are happier and more joyful after being in their company.

   Elizabeth and Derrick were the epitome of a beautiful engaged couple, making my job as their photographer, so easy. Capturing the moments that will always be a reminder of their beginning, we observed how bonded, loving, and happy they were in each other's presence.
   In a few months, Elizabeth will leave Manhatten, where she now resides. They will be married in Wash. D.C., and both will return to Ft. Worth, where they will then be in the same state, same city, and same home.  We will be a better city, neighborhood, and community because of such a bright, loving couple in our presence.
   "True love stories never have endings. " - Richard Bach

A COKE AND COOKIE

   When entering Frost Bank this week, my nerves were frayed. I don't like the business part of life.  I like it even less, when it is unfamiliar, and worse when I am carrying my husband's power of attorney documents. This was not my day.

   A very friendly employee, Christina, greeted me. She asked if I would like a cookie. That sounded great. In a minute, she came back and asked if she could get me a drink.

Within a short time from entering, my stress level was reduced by 75%. I was enjoying a cookie and a coke, and thinking about how our lives are made up of  moments, these "life in between" moments.

   Businesses understand this. There is a thin line between customer service and gimmicks to get you to buy more. I saw this as excellent customer service, a way of showing their appreciation. Their atmosphere was friendly and hospitable, matching Christina's warmth and graciousness.

     I was sitting there, talking to the banker, having a "happy meal", a coke and a cookie, thinking "It's a good day!" All because of the treats? No, it was the combination of attitude,  thoughtfulness, and surprise. All were being served with a heaping dose of gratitude, just for being their customer.

   Relaxing and taking a deep breath, I de-stressed. While the transaction was being completed, I asked myself, "What can I do to extend the photography experience even further, making it even more personalized than it is now? What can I do as a business owner? What can I do as a mom, wife, grandmother? How can these "life in between" moments be extended to someone every day?

   Hoping to capture a few on camera, I will be showing more "Life in between" shots on the website, http://www.kayturner.com/ and in our blog.

   I hope you enjoy a random act of kindness today, both as the benefactor and the contributor. May we all seek to give someone the unexpected, allowing them to unwind, chill out, and for a moment, be a child holding a box of cracker jacks, filled with delight and wonder.

  

BOUND BY LOVE, FAITH, FAMILY AND FRIENDS

   We have been surrounded for many, many years by a wonderful, loving family. In that time, our family has grown to include a large group of dear friends and clients, who have become a part of this loving circle. You have been with us in spirit, in memory, in presence, in thought. Standing beside us, holding our hands, together, you have been there, to lean on, while we faced difficult and challenging situations.

    Many of you are new to our journey. You became a part of our lives through the photography. It was then you became a part of our lives, when we were capturing yours.  Others have been steadfastly marching with us, since the beginning.
   Now, it appears, we are nearing the end of a 12 year journey. Ray has fought with a loving army of family and friends by him, loving him.  He, in return, has been a tremendous fighting warrior, defeating leaving his loved ones, repeatedly, against all odds.  All who have come in contact with him,  have been inspired by his strength, his spirit, his anticipation of being in his Heavenly home. Each day on earth, his heart has beat for all of us, and Jesus.
   It is to all of you, dear friends and family, who have accepted us and loved us, that I want to say how much we are indebted to you.
  With you, words have become optional. With you, we feel safe. With you, we feel accepted unconditionally. With you, we have a shoulder to lean on. With you, we have a hand to hold. With you, there is laughter. With you, our tears flow and mingle together. We taste the salt of broken hearts.
  We put our hand in yours, comforted by knowing you have loved us through all of the up's and down's, the bad times and the good. You did not leave when it rained. Instead, you provided an umbrella of strength and love. You were there when the sun shone, when we could bask in your warmth. Now, as we walk the final steps of the journey together, we embrace your strength, your outpouring of love. We cherish every moment, every act, every smile you have brought, and will continue to bring. With you, there is only one heart beating. It beats with love. It will never stop.  Kay and Ray

Gifts of Love

   Our days are full of responsibilities and flying from one task to another, but there is one day that belongs to us. It is our birthday, our special day. Hopefully, we will be able to spend a part of it with ones whom we love and who love us. However, that isn't always the case.
   The military personnel overseas don't get to set aside a day to celebrate, as they are busy protecting their loved ones back home and our country. Loved ones in a hospital, clinging to life, rarely know what day it is. Birthdays can slip by unnoticed. Different situations present unusual ways to remember.
   Today is my birthday. Overwhelmed with gifts of love sent in phone calls, e-mails, e- cards, messages on facebook, a florist delivering flowers, and a dear friend bringing a birthday cake, along with delicious meals, I am brought to tears. All of the thoughtfulness is so humbling.
    After a year of forgetting birthdays, I see this incredible outpouring of love and thoughtfulness. Gifts of love so undeserving.
   I resolve to make this birthday a new beginning, a new year. Much like we do at the beginning of a new year, I cherish birthdays to be the beginning for my life. It is a time to renew the ties that mean so much. From being a better wife, friend, mother, grandmother, sister, photographer, it is all of you who send so much loving support and encouragement that I celebrate and thank today.
    Today, I think of all the gifts of love you have given me. My husband, who has courageously fought an illness each and every day, the friends who stop and encourage us with visits, calls, cards, e-mails, our wonderful children coming to love on us, grandchildren coming by with hugs and laughter, my sister's wonderful culinary skills , my dear friend, Shay, an angel of mercy, who supplies us with food, books, cards, and a generous amount of hugs and beautiful prayers, to friends/pastors coming by to uplift our spirits, to clients who have been so incredibly patient and loving, to those who are in front of my lens as strangers and who later become dear friends, a part of our extended family, to friends whom I have not seen since graduating high school, taking a minute to send delightful messages and reconnecting after all these years.  I am the richest woman in the world today.
   The handwritten note, in the foreground of the picture, is the paper that my husband jotted his birthday message to me on and then put on facebook. It is more beautiful than any of the elegant cards he bought each year. Is there a greater treasure than to see his scrawling penmanship, barely resembling his beautiful penmanship from before, saying he wishes for me to have many October 8's and to live them to the fullest? He knows he won't be here for the next one. I may not either. None of us are guaranteed that we will see another day.
   Today, I thank God for all of you, for your gifts of love and for giving/connecting in so many various ways. For the ability of capturing small moments in pictures, to treasure the rest of our lives, I am deeply grateful. Most of all, I am grateful for life and the ability to celebrate every moment, every breath, with people whom I love, doing what I love. It is from this well of thanksgiving that I photograph. It is from the heart that knows these moments will never be repeated, that I photograph. So it is with a photograph, I show you a glimpse of today.  You made it my day, my special day to reflect all you have given to me. Words can never express my gratitude to each of you.

"If I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden." - C. Ghandi

An Ah-Ha Moment, As Oprah Would Say

    I carry my cell phone in my waistband when I am working at home. It's not an attractive look, and definitely not a fashion statement. I am usually alone when doing so. I wish for pockets. but very few of my clothes have them.

   Today when I sat down, I felt the cell phone cutting into my waist. I thought to myself, "What did I do differently? Did I put it in a different place? It has never felt like this before." I got up to get it out of my waistband, fearing it would leave a permanent cell phone image on my waist. When I reached for it, there was no cell phone. "What? Where is it? What made the waistband so tight?" Then the "ah ha moment" came.  The dialogue with myself follows:

K: I sit at the computer at all hours, both night and day. I am gaining weight!

Rational Self: No, it can't be that. You don't eat at the computer, just before, during and afterwards. Besides that, you are wearing the same clothes that you wore yesterday. They still fit.

K: I don't have to get up out of my chair, in order to use the phone. It is with me.

Self: Well, it surely isn't that! You get up many, many times during the day to check on your sick husband and to get him snacks.

K:I don't run up and down the stairs now, as I moved my office downstairs.

Self: But look at all the trips to the kitchen you make, in order to get his food trays.

K: I get it! It is all the delicious food people bring, so many wonderful treats.

Self: That's right, just blame them. That will work.

K: (Breathing a sigh of relief at the "Ah ha moment".) Finally. I have an excuse. It is the people's fault. All the wonderful, generous people who make delicious desserts, breads, meals for my husband. Some of those fall off his tray. The ones in my mouth? Oh, those. Well, my cell phone is glad to hear this, as I was about to trade it in for a newer model. 

Hmmm, That reminds me. I think I heard that same comment before.  Oh, that's right. I overheard a man saying he was thinking about trading his in for a newer model, and winking at the cute DQ waitress.  Do you think he was talking about cell phones?

   Well, I don't know, but Ray's Blizzard sure was good.  It would have been totally melted when I got home, if I hadn't been there to rescue it from dissolving into a puddle.

   Yessiree, I am sure glad that I had that "ah ha moment" earlier. I know that I had nothing to do with the waistband shrinking.  In addition, I got to surprise Ray with half of a snickers blizzard, his very favorite.

LIFE IN BETWEEN PHOTOS

  To view some of my favorite, fun images, a new category, "Life In Between" was added to our website, http://www.kayturner.com/ .
  The images are similar to outakes at the end of a movie. The children are not posed, even though it look as if they are in a few.  Capturing real "life in between" moments is one of my favorite things to do. A few turned out to be our most popular images. The other images have been waiting to be unveiled at the appropriate time.
  The "Life in Between" post was on Sept. 30, 2009, if you wish to read about the meaning of this new category. There are no words or captions. You can fill those in! Enjoy!