I love this picture and I love the song (Windfall by Son Volt - "both feet on the floor, two hands on the wheel, may the wind take your troubles away..."). This will not be a long ambling post - just a caption if you will. This picture was taken last summer on an ill-fated ferry ride to Block Island from Montauk (Oh Tali, one more to cross off the "Good Ideas Gone Bad" list). Well, not to be dramatic - seasickness was the worst suffered that day by Scissorhands and just fear of the big waves by the kids. Leaving me to have to hold it together and care for the three of them. Mainly because they all turned on me as it was my idea.
But before things went awry, it is Scissorhands holding Julian. The day was to become one of the worst days for the ferry that summer, high waves rocking the boat, everyone needing to take cover beneath deck - quite symbolic really.
This picture is so beautiful in its simplicity that I never tire of looking at it. Here in this quick second the camera seems to catch Adrian's full embrace of his role as Dad holding Julian on his journey through life, especially when facing the tough choppy turbulent waters ahead, and Julian's confidence that he will (peppered with my simple advice to just keep looking at the horizon).
The proof is in the picture.
33 comments:
Oh G,
Sometimes, I think there's no place safer than in the warm crook of a beloved's neck. I often think I could just stay there content. Be still.
And as you say, look at the horizon, safe in my anchor's hold.
GG x
i can see why you love that picture. it's beautiful. and so loving. we have a few like that of our own sons when they were young, and even today i can look at them and remember how lovely it was to know we could make them feel safe by simply holding them in our arms. if only that worked for them now (tho' sometimes it doesn't hurt).
one of my favorite lines from the first "Pirates of the Caribbean" is the last one uttered by Johnny Depp... "Now, find me that horizon". the point was that his character (as in all real life adventurers) found comfort in the promise there was still something out there to discover. to find. to explore (and/or exploit, in his case). in other words, all of life's surprises/lessons are found on "that horizon". i can't imagine anything better for your son (and Tali) than to have you and Adrian help keep first part of the adventure fun and yet oh-so-safe for them to explore.
may their lives (as well as yours) be filled with many beautiful and new horizons. xoxo
That IS a beautiful picture. I love seeing children being held/hugged/loved by a parent this way, seeing how safe a child feels with that person, seeing how they trust that person to protect them.
When my kids honor me this way, I thank God
Beautifully put GG.
Thanks Neva - yes the horizon evokes promise, hope, stability - I guess all the things as parents we hope to impart to our children. Now why have we not seen Pirates of the Caribbean? Another on the list.
Amen Pavel. Namaste.
That is a great picture, a very well used 1000.
That's a great picture & write up, G. I agree with GG about the security of being held, and you're never too old to appreciate it - both giving & receiving.
Ah "g".
I can see why you love that picture so much.
Yesterday my sister took one of me with my niece wrapped around my neck. She was so tired that she fell asleep in my arm while walking.
There is no better feeling than that of someone trusting you so much that they give you their entire self to hold.
I love it! I am glad your son has that trust and feeling as well!
Logo: thanks and I just got (in my mind's eye) a great idea...flash 55?
Sar: Yes, both giving and receiving. Thank you.
Minka! One thing I know about you, without knowing you - you're a good aunt! Hope you're still enjoying your birthday.
Reminds me so much of a picture we have of our youngest being held by me in Williamsburg, VA...ah, they don't stay puppies long, although if he had his way I have a feeling said boy might still prefer to be carried around. Of course, being 6'5" and 200+ pounds now might make that a little more difficult than it was back then.
Joel - So his feet might drag a little! I'm sure you and Neva "carry him" in a different hold now that he feels just as lovingly.
aww, that is beautiful. I love the calm and comfort that seems to emanate from them.
As one who get motion sick, I can sympathize with your green family :-)
p.s. sorry I haven't made it here this week!
That's okay Kyah, the lamp is always on for you. Yeah, I do feel relaxed when I look at this picture.
So we'll give you and Adrian the extra Dramamine (actually he refuses to go back on a boat and come to think of it, I refuse to go with him).
Yes G we do carry our youngest in a different hold now, a stranglehold I believe it's called...no, no, I kid...can't reach his neck.
Joel - You'll have to teach me that one for future reference.
Hey Brian! Glad you checked in - hope all is well and that you're enjoying your vacation. Oh and thanks.
Oh my am I behind! But no worry for I am the kind to catch up! I loved your tribute to your Aunt Margie. Beautiful and she sounds like she was quite the delightful soul.
My Danish grandfather had a sister who had Asperger's. Part of the condition is that you are terribly self-centered and she had a strong case of it and so everthing was about her and she talked nonstop and was terrible with social cues. Back then this was an undiagnosed thing and she suffered terribly at the hands of society who just did not understand her, this "annoying and self-centered" woman. Now, my cousin, from the same Danish line, has Asperger's, as her father, my uncle, recently discovered. As a result people respond to her with more compassion and care... it truly is tragic how easily we disregard those with mental illnesses and do not take time to care unless there is a label afixed to them. I am sure your Aunt Margie felt your genuine love and connection and loves this beautiful tribute, wherever she may be!
As for this post, beautiful! Loverboy is Lil' Mischief's greatest love and to see that boy adore his daddy and that man be such a daddy to him is priceless and I am honored to share in it all. This picture reminds me of that! And you Gina, soulful is the word that comes to mind when I think of you! Loved the picture and the post!
You are so right MizB, about the labels. I guess in people's defense, the label helps to understand what's in the product (so to speak). But it really is a lesson in just trying to understand people as individuals. Aunt Margie was an early example for me.
That is so amazing because that is exactly how it is between Adrian and Julian! It sends a warm river flowing right through my heart the love between them.
Thanks soul sistah.
that is a wonderful picture.
now,i have to break the mood. i saw it and all i could think was' if that had been my daughter id be holding over the side by her ankles.'
love is nice, hugs are comforting, but the back of your underpants full of steaming kid barf is neither.
oh yes. motionsickness. how well i remember it.
FN: See, it was the hubby that got seasick and if I had held him over the side by his feet I may have dropped him...recovers from daydream. Really, I love the guy - just kidding. Don't tell me you all don't have those daydreams. Liars.
ok, I'm snickering here at your last comment. Yeah, we all have those daydreams :-)
G~ I think that pic suggests great things for a Flash 55, good idea!
And yes, we aaaaall have our little day dreams, I think Mr. Logo dreams of a world where I've learned ro put my shoes away and I dream of a world where he does not harrass me to put my shoes away, or anything else for that matter (snicker snicker)
well you've been the busy little lampshade today, haven't ya? everytime i come over here and look at this picture, i think of the one joel referred to (of him holding our son when he (son) was around 2 1/2). so precious. and so vulnerable. sigh. good times.
they never stop being loved and precious. or vulnerable, for that matter. but once they get taller than you, they do start starin' at a horizon you can't even see. *that's* when it gets scary. oh, but what am i saying? it's wonderful. really. just. peachy.
(what can i say? it was a rough couple of days, and i didn't get my "i love/need you mom" hug until just before he left for 5 weeks) xoxo
it is a wonderful picture G. I went back and re-read the guest post comments on Belle and, I guess I must apologize for interrupting bedtime
INCONTHIEVABLE!!
Soon I will convert the whole blogosphere to the wonders that are Princess Bride.
That's what I'm talking about girls - only a daydream.
Neva: I hope your days have settled down. I have an idea - get that picture out.
VI: No apologies necessary and I could see you succeeding in your mission. Hey, we're one less house you have to worry about - we're in!
Anomie: Thanks and you're welcome. In this humidity, we can all use a little help from our friends.
g, that's a thousand words ...
I think so Karma - glad to see you home.
so are the best pictures, so many stories behind them.
What's that Ariel, I just got lost in your picture...Yes, so true.
Awwww. That picture is off limits to Dr. Weirsdo, as it makes him dream of having small children again. Yes, plans gone awry, like that wonderful trip we took to the opening of the Clinton Library, where it got colder, and colder, and rainier, and rainier, and the little dots that were the famous people seemed to matter less and less. Maybe one day they'll give us credit for at least trying to make plans, though.
Are you sure Dr. Weirsdo isn't Jewish? I know you mentioned his Semitic good looks and intellectual profession. No matter, he just sounds like a mensch anyway and I am sure he is. I say you both deserve the credit. Thanks for playing along today in the Snark - we had fun.
It's been my and NG4J's pleasure.
Dr. Weirsdo had to stay home from that particular good idea gone bad.
Actually, Dr. Weirsdo's and Mall Diva's "Jewish" looks are, I think, Huguenot French. But he is a mensch, and our spiritual beliefs are largely consonant with the philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas, whom we both admire.
Emmanuel Levinas - I'll have to read up a little more on him. Any recommendation?
For you and Scissorhands, I recommend DIFFICULT FREEDOM: ESSAYS ON JUDAISM to start. I haven't read the whole volume, but would recommend "A Religion for Adults."
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