A Miracle of the Heart

Laying awake for hours waiting for it to be time. A bumpy taxi ride. Washed-out muddy streets. A locked metal gate opened before us. A long driveway. Up six steps, we are ushered into the care center living room.

And then this:



My son. The first time I am able to take him in my arms. To kiss him and tell him I love him. We are together. My heart will never be the same.

Red

Thematic Photographic - Leaves Two

Leaving leaves behind this evening. But before we do I have just one more picture to post for Thematic Photographic this week.



Autumn 2007. This was the first fall my baby experienced here in the Land of Enchantment. Can't believe it was two years ago. We went out in the backyard for another first for her - a family photo. We took many pictures that day and this was one of them. This one must have left a more lasting impression on her though, because she talked about it for months and months afterwards..."Remember when we threw those leaves in the air...?"

Thematic Photographic - Leaves

This week Carmi's Thematic Photographic theme has been leaves. I've been mulling over whether to post anything or let it pass.

Then today Carmi, with a picture of fallen leaves, challenged us to shift our focus toward one who might otherwise not be seen or heard. I immediately thought of this photo which fit both challenges.



He is neither the oldest nor the baby. He is a middle child.
Sometimes, that is a difficult place to be.

Photo Hunters - Bags

Photo Hunters were in search of a picture of "bags" this week. This was a challenging one for me, until I stumbled on this picture.

Photo Hunters - Bags

Last fall, our family had a bake sale to raise funds for Free Wheel Chair Mission. We baked brownies and sold them outside our neighborhood drug store. Our goal was to raise enough money to buy one wheel chair for around $50. We were so thrilled when, at the end of our time, we had raised enough through the sale and donations to buy three!!








Bag it.

Skywatch

Kailua Beach, Hawaii

Yesterday it snowed here in the Land of Enchantment. Brrrrr! I hadn't expected winter to arrive this early - was hoping it would hold out for a few more weeks. The cold and snow wouldn't be such a bother except that our heater isn't working, and won't be until Monday. Brrrr! So I pulled on a sweatshirt and tried to think warm thoughts. Ahhhhh....my mind took me back to a wonderfully warm day I spent at Kailua Beach this last summer. I would love to be back there until Monday. Who am I kidding? I would love to be back there until next spring.




Gaze at more skies - SkyWatch Friday.

Photo Hunters - Sports

I spent some time at Kailua Beach in Oahu, Hawaii this past June. It's a beautiful beach that's rarely crowded and has plenty of wind. The perfect place for windsurfers. I loved watching them seem to just fly across the waves. The power of the wind is an awesome thing. I captured these images, which fit well with the Photo Hunters theme of the week, "sports!"

Photo Hunters - Sports

Wind Surfers - Kailua Beach, Hawaii




More sports.

Photo Hunters - Twisted

Photo Hunters - Twisted

The Loretto Staircase
Loretto Chapel
Santa Fe, NM


The Loretto Chapel. Santa Fe, NM. When was completed in 1878, there was no way to access the choir loft twenty-two feet above. Not uncommon of chapels of the time, when priests used ladders to climb into the lofts. But since Loretto was run by nuns, a staircase was needed. The chapel is too small for a conventional staircase. The sister prayed for an answer. Legend has it that a mysterious carpenter appeared and with only a hammer, saw, T-square and buckets of hot water for shaping the woord created the miraculous structure. Months later, the staircase was completed and the carpenter disappeared without pay or thanks. The stairway confounds architects, engineers and master craftsmen. It makes over two complete 360-degree turns, stands 20’ tall and has no center support. It rests solely on its base and against the choir loft. The risers of the 33 steps are all of the same height. Made of an apparently extinct wood species, it was constructed with only square wooden pegs without glue or nails. When finished, the staircase had no handrails. The banister and balusters were added ten years later. It really is an amazing structure.




More Twisted Things

Photo Hunters - Upside Down

The Photo Hunters theme for the week was "upside down." Kids have a way of really turning your world upside down.

Immediately, these two picture came to mind.

Photo Hunters - Upside Down

TN Chick has more "upside down" at her blog and drop by Criz's place for a bunch "upside down."