Saturday, March 14, 2009

Day 18 - { photoshop! }

Don't you think Photoshop is a "tender mercy"? I do! This may seem like a rather frivolous thing to be grateful for. :) I am grateful for Photoshop just for how fun it is to play with and to learn how to design stuff with.

But I am grateful on a deeper level for it because it granted me a wish--to see all of my family in one photo together.

 

At Benjamin's birth in November 2007, we were so blessed to have many beautiful pictures taken, by my mom and also by Jaime, the nurse who attended us. However, one of my sons was not willing to come into the room. He said it was "too sad." This broke my heart. I tried and tried to convince him, reminding him this was his only chance to see his little brother in this life. He simply couldn't overcome his fear of the sadness.

So we never got that family picture I wanted so desperately.

 

Later I got an idea. I can't remember how exactly. (Was it from you, Becky?)

 

Last autumn we arranged for our sweet friend Sonja, who is a very talented photographer, to take family photos of us at the cemetary. We tried to time it just right for when the trees had the most brilliant colors. The picture we used for our Christmas card was one from this photo session.

I told her about my idea, and she was so sweet to work with it and make helpful suggestions.

Beforehand I studied pictures of me holding Benjamin and tried to memorize exactly how my hands were.

Then at the photo shoot I held a white blanket just the same way.

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It was wonderful to have these special pictures taken at the peaceful place where Benjamin is buried, and at the time of year when we welcomed him into our family! It really felt like he was there with us!

Sonja was so awesome to give me a disk that very night, and I came home and immediately set about putting Benjamin into the pictures. I used Photoshop to "cut him out" of the pictures from his birth, and edited them as best I could to fit well in these new pictures. Then I moved him over! :)

IMG_9758 edit

 

And here is the shot that fulfilled my fervent wish:

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That night I must have spent several hours putting Benjamin into these pictures. It felt SO GOOD to see us ALL TOGETHER!!!!! I just loved it!! I slept so well that night with those images in my head. It was sweet.

 

Andrea taught me how to put a photo on canvas, and I plan to do that with the picture of the whole family, and put it above our fireplace mantel. . . .

 

Heavenly Father is so good to us! He has sent us here to earth to pass through pain and difficulties so that we may learn and develop our spirits. Yet He doesn't just sit back and feel sad for us. He is right with us every step of the way, finding ways to show His love even in the midst of our sorrows.

To me this was one of His "tender mercies," to be able to "see" our family as it really is.100 days of gratitude tag

The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

                                                                                      ~Psalm 145:9

16 comments:

Andrea said...[Reply to comment]

Photoshop is a tender mercy, and not a silly thing at all. Especially if it granted you a peaceful nights sleep.

Tasha said...[Reply to comment]

You're fantastic with the photoshop and the picture taking! I love great photography! I picked it up briefly a couple of years ago but just couldn't keep it up with all my other crazy hobbies. I enjoy doing too many things! Oh well. For now I will just enjoy your beautiful images.

Owi said...[Reply to comment]

You have a really sweet blog. Thanks for posting and God bless you and your family. cheers

Vauna said...[Reply to comment]

Thank you for sharing yet another beautiful and touching post. I don't read everything that shows up in my inbox but I'm always thrilled to see a new post from Mama's Boys. Without fail it touches my heart and brightens my day. Thank you, Michelle!

Becky said...[Reply to comment]

What a wonderful tender mercy! You did such a beautiful job on the picture, Michelle. It makes me feel comforted to look on it.

Becky said...[Reply to comment]

P.S. BEAUTIFUL job on the new blog wear. It looks FABULOUS! I also love the music you chose to play. Sometimes I leave it open so that I can listen it to it longer.

Natalie said...[Reply to comment]

Oh, so beautiful! I love these pictures...so complete and perfect in every way :) Love you

Deaton Adventures said...[Reply to comment]

I LOVE the photo! We can enjoy many tender mercies in all aspects of our lives and are truely blessed by friends who are not afraid to share with us. We are built up by those friends. Thank you.

Cindy said...[Reply to comment]

I love that. I think it's a beautiful picture and you are right, that is how your family really is. I love you.

Anonymous said...[Reply to comment]

oh Michelle-- this made me cry!

Andre said...[Reply to comment]

What a great idea! I'm sure it feels so good to see your whole family together.

Annalisa said...[Reply to comment]

I felt your joy through this post and grateful you slept well. Loves & Hugs. They are great photos.

Carolyne said...[Reply to comment]

Beautiful family! My family lost our little sister 10 years ago. Isn't it wonderful to know that we'll see them again? Not only see them, but that they are ours forever and ever?

Beautiful blog!

Mandy said...[Reply to comment]

These pictures capture how I imagine heaven to be--together with the ones we love so much, never to be parted again, in a beautiful place with grass, water and trees.
I love you and yours, Michelle!

Secret Agent Mama said...[Reply to comment]

Oh, Michelle..thank you for writing to me about this on Shutter Sisters today. This is just so beautiful and so touching...the way your family definitely IS. Bless you sweet fellow mother, bless you.

Thelma said...[Reply to comment]

These photos are so beautiful. Thelma