I remember the first time I saw the necklace. A long, coppery-colored gold chain draped in my mom's hands as she showed me the small diamond-shaped metal pendant that hung from it. The tiny opals set into the pendant looked like mermaid scales to me.
"This is what your great-grandmother left to you, Katy."
She tucked it back into the black velvet box and told me that she would keep it safe until I was old enough to wear it. This past year, we found the box again and I was overjoyed to see the necklace - the image that I had held in my memory for so many years. Monetarily, I have no idea if it is worth anything at all - but to me, the necklace is more precious than anything else I own.
It is a strange and valuable feeling to hold a thing in your hands that was treasured by a young girl in the early 1900's. She looked in the mirror at the piece drooped around her neck, unaware that one day in the next century her great-granddaughter would be doing the same. We stand on both sides of the mirror - decades between us - but connected by this single gold chain with an opal pendant.
"This is what your great-grandmother left to you, Katy."
She tucked it back into the black velvet box and told me that she would keep it safe until I was old enough to wear it. This past year, we found the box again and I was overjoyed to see the necklace - the image that I had held in my memory for so many years. Monetarily, I have no idea if it is worth anything at all - but to me, the necklace is more precious than anything else I own.
It is a strange and valuable feeling to hold a thing in your hands that was treasured by a young girl in the early 1900's. She looked in the mirror at the piece drooped around her neck, unaware that one day in the next century her great-granddaughter would be doing the same. We stand on both sides of the mirror - decades between us - but connected by this single gold chain with an opal pendant.
One of the most powerful works I have ever read that addresses the concept of the inter-connectivity of events and figures within time is Anton Chekhov's short story, The Student.
I beg you to take ten minutes to read this very short, yet dynamic and moving piece. Here is an excerpt:
I beg you to take ten minutes to read this very short, yet dynamic and moving piece. Here is an excerpt:
And joy suddenly stirred in his soul, and he even stopped for a minute to take breath. "The past," he thought, "is linked with the present by an unbroken chain of events flowing one out of another." And it seemed to him that he had just seen both ends of that chain; that when he touched one end the other quivered.
Read the full story here.
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
An Unbroken Chain
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://kathrynvphotography.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/62
Two days ago, I wrote about the pleasure that comes from giving. This is a little extension of that idea.
If there is any perfect expression of beauty on the earth, it's a bouquet of flowers. Dazzling colors and sweet scents make for an ideal way to say:
You're stunning...
I'm thinking of you...
You're special to me...
I love you...
Find your way out to the garden, take a handful of whatever is in bloom... and give it to someone who least expects it. Aim to make that person smile, and I guarantee you'll be smiling too.
If there is any perfect expression of beauty on the earth, it's a bouquet of flowers. Dazzling colors and sweet scents make for an ideal way to say:
You're stunning...
I'm thinking of you...
You're special to me...
I love you...
Find your way out to the garden, take a handful of whatever is in bloom... and give it to someone who least expects it. Aim to make that person smile, and I guarantee you'll be smiling too.
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
efflorescence
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://kathrynvphotography.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/59
Yes, we often fight. Yes, we've been horrible to each other at times (me being the leader in that grand total). Yes, sometimes we just drive one another absolutely crazy.
And no, I wouldn't trade my sisters for the entire world.
There is something so special about the sibling relationship. It seems there is endless grace, and an endless supply of second chances. We've seen each other at our worst; our most insane; our lowest and highest... and through it all, even after the yelling and slammed doors and whispered mean things... there is love.
What would I do without that? I couldn't live without these two dear ones. I'm blessed beyond measure to have such beautiful, talented, smart, patient, funny sisters.
Cary...
...is my middle sister.
...is typically the most level-headed.
...is beautiful.
...has always been quiet, in a good way.
...can always make me laugh.
...loves to tell stories.
...is going to be an incredible mother someday.
...does the absolute best impressions. Ever.
...is so clean and organized.
...couldn't say her "r's" when she was little. And it was so incredibly cute.
...is very honest.
...is the definition of a loyal friend.
Kensey...
...is my baby sister.
...is a secretly creative genius. Secret only from herself - not from me.
...exudes confidence.
...possesses a striking beauty.
...is a friend to all.
...is Harley's favorite person on the planet.
...takes risks.
...loves to walk.
...could be a professional movie quoter, if the job existed.
...read all of the Twilight books like, overnight.
...loves to travel.
...cries when it matters.
Love to you, my gorgeous and exemplary sisters. I adore you.
And no, I wouldn't trade my sisters for the entire world.
There is something so special about the sibling relationship. It seems there is endless grace, and an endless supply of second chances. We've seen each other at our worst; our most insane; our lowest and highest... and through it all, even after the yelling and slammed doors and whispered mean things... there is love.
What would I do without that? I couldn't live without these two dear ones. I'm blessed beyond measure to have such beautiful, talented, smart, patient, funny sisters.
Cary...
...is my middle sister.
...is typically the most level-headed.
...is beautiful.
...has always been quiet, in a good way.
...can always make me laugh.
...loves to tell stories.
...is going to be an incredible mother someday.
...does the absolute best impressions. Ever.
...is so clean and organized.
...couldn't say her "r's" when she was little. And it was so incredibly cute.
...is very honest.
...is the definition of a loyal friend.
Kensey...
...is my baby sister.
...is a secretly creative genius. Secret only from herself - not from me.
...exudes confidence.
...possesses a striking beauty.
...is a friend to all.
...is Harley's favorite person on the planet.
...takes risks.
...loves to walk.
...could be a professional movie quoter, if the job existed.
...read all of the Twilight books like, overnight.
...loves to travel.
...cries when it matters.
Love to you, my gorgeous and exemplary sisters. I adore you.
Bridget:
LOVED this post! What a blessing to have such an amazing family! I pray that my boys will be as close as you guys are. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day!
(04.23.09 @ 01:21 PM)
Michael Duenes:
Once again an excellent and touching tribute. I count it a blessing to have been able to be a teacher to all of you (may I have done more good than damage :-)) I have two sisters myself, and my life has been very rich because of it. I had the privilege of pastoring my younger sister's wedding. What a blast. Keep up the good work, all of you. Peace!
(04.25.09 @ 07:43 AM)
Donny:
"It seems there is endless grace, and an endless supply of second chances. We've seen each other at our worst; our most insane; our lowest and highest... and through it all, even after the yelling and slammed doors and whispered mean things... there is love."
I like this. Gotta love forgiveness, eh?
(04.28.09 @ 10:25 AM)
Jessica Tounger:
I absolutely love this post.. :)
(05.21.09 @ 11:45 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
War & Peace & Love
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://kathrynvphotography.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/55
I guess Harley just thinks she's a human now.
Rachel DeMann:
Oh gosh! How funny is she?! : ) Macy would be sent straight to her crate. Haha!
(04.15.09 @ 05:53 AM)
jess suzuki:
oh man. This is hilarious.
(04.15.09 @ 02:05 PM)
Emily Roberson:
hahahahaha!!! Katy this cracked me up!!! SO AWESOME! PLEEEEEASE Harley!!!
(04.27.09 @ 09:39 AM)
Jessica Tounger:
THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE BEST.
(05.21.09 @ 11:53 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Bad dog Tuesday
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://kathrynvphotography.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/51
I like Mondays. I know, it goes against the grain to like the first day of the week... but I'm here to say that I do enjoy them.
Here are a few things that I have enjoyed about this particular Monday:
See? Mondays can be delightful.
Tonight I'm working on photos of beatiful Ashlyn. I thought I would add in one of my current favorites... just to make your Monday a little brighter.
Here are a few things that I have enjoyed about this particular Monday:
- Morning at Peet's: Every Monday morning, the team of people I work with takes a little journey down to Peet's Coffee & Tea. We reflect on the weekend and update one another on our news. The barista's know us and our drinks - mine is a non-fat wet cappuccino with two pumps of vanilla (instead of four). I really just love the foam.
- Yanni Voices: I know what you're thinking: "Yanni?" Yes, Yanni. Don't judge. I bought my first Yanni song today. It's called Nei tuoi occhi - that means "In the mirror" in Italian. This is one of the most beautiful songs that I have ever heard. It is so incredibly romantic and moves like a dream. I basically listened to this song non-stop all day. You can (and definitely should) listen to it here.
- Lucca's: It's my favorite place to eat in Castro Valley. Fresh ingredients at a good, old-fashioned deli. My sandwich of choice: dutch crunch (the best bread at Lucca's), turkey, avocado, monterey jack cheese (or mozarella, sometimes), tomato, and lettuce. No mayo. No mustard. That's it. De-lish. And if you go, promise me you'll try Dirty Chips (the brand) - Cracked Pepper & Sea Salt flavor. I enjoyed my sandwich with two of my favorite coworkers for lunch.
- Short Stories: A (fabulous) photographer friend of mine and I talked briefly about the (fabulous) Short Story genre tonight. Thanks to this conversation, I have a new story to read... can't wait to start.
- Video Chat: Sometimes, modern technology really takes the cake. Tonight I got to talk with one of my dearest and oldest friends: Rachel. She lives far, far away in Oklahoma... but, thanks to ichat -- we got to talk face-to-face! I even got to meet her puppy, Macy. I love it.
See? Mondays can be delightful.
Tonight I'm working on photos of beatiful Ashlyn. I thought I would add in one of my current favorites... just to make your Monday a little brighter.
Brooke Garrett:
Wow Katy, I am very impressed with your pictures! I like your style, keep up the good work! I especially love the pictures of Ashlyn and cant wait to get some from Amber. Your website looks great also!
Love Brooke
xoxo
Michael Duenes:
Any morning is good when it starts out with Peets. You'll get no flack from me on Yanni, as I love the genre. If work is where God is, and He is, then Monday mornings should be glorious. God created us to work, and to create within our work, and to impact others through our work. When I'm feeling this, I love going to work.
(04.14.09 @ 12:16 PM)
Benjamin:
Have you ever read Hemingway's short story in six words?
(04.16.09 @ 11:57 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Embracing Monday
. TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://kathrynvphotography.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/50
You write very well.
(04.29.09 @ 12:19 PM)You would call this necklace 'mermaidy,' right?
Very thought-provoking. There is something that stirs deep within us when we think about our real connections, indeed, unbroken connections to the past - particularly to the people of the past. I have often felt a very visceral sense of my connection to the apostles when I meditate on the Gospels, perhaps akin to that of the two women in Chekhov's story. But your piece, and Chekhov's, made think about perhaps the two most significant "unions" we have to people in the past: Our union with Adam as God's image-bearers, fallen image-bearers; and our union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, by which we have eternal life. What a true and rich union we have with Christ, the depths of which cannot be plummed. Thanks for the post.
(04.29.09 @ 03:19 PM)