That explains everything.

Once, several years ago, when I was just starting out my writing career, I was asked to write my own contributor’s note for an anthology I was part of. I wrote: “I am the only daughter in a family of six sons. That explains everything.”

Those are the opening sentences of Sandra Cisneros' Only Daughter, a piece we read yesterday in class.  She goes on to highlight the dynamics of her childhood Mexican-American household, where she was loved and cherished but not a son.  She was the only daughter, and only a daughter.  Today we did a simple follow-up worksheet that, hopefully, required more thinking than remembering, if you know what I mean.

Question number seven asked what one, or two, sentences, "explain everything."  Here are a few responses I read.

I am the social hermit in an outgoing family.  That explains everything.  

I am an only child and I’m adopted.  That explains everything.  

Honestly, I’m trying to figure this out.  God has a plan.  Everything will pan out.  That explains everything.  

I am a middle child in a broken and pieced together home.  That explains everything.  

I am the eldest child in a broken family.  That explains everything.  

I am not like everyone else; I see and feel and think things differently.  This is the answer to everything.  I have always felt like I wasn't like everyone else.  That explains everything.  

I am the youngest in a family of three.  The youngest’s opinion isn't always taken into account.  That explains everything.  

I am the second child of four, but talent went to the other three.  That explains everything.  

I am the second oldest son, underneath a drug addict brother.  I have to be who he wasn't.  That explains everything.  

I am one Smith amongst two Johnson daughters, because I don’t live with either of my biological parents.  That explains everything.  

I am who I am because of me.  My mom and dad thought drugs were more important than me.  My sisters soon followed suit.  But I couldn’t.  That explains everything.

Geersh I love my babies.  Even if I'm stress eating because of them.  I simultaneously hate and appreciate the pain they are going through--the pain they share with me, and all the everything-and-so-much they hide.  I hate it because there's a part of me that thinks they don't deserve it.  I appreciate it because I know there is an element of hardness that is essential to navigating adulthood, and hardness comes via experience.  I hate it because I am scared of just how hard they might become.  I appreciate it because I know they will be able to love others through the same struggles.  And so closes a Tuesday.  Caught somewhere between beauty and pain and exhaustion and the deep-down feeling that this job still matters.

Also, for once, I hope that the papers I picked up, incomplete off the floor, were tossed there due to laziness, rather than avoidance.

xoxo Bec

Sweet Girls | Surprise Gift

I went to high school with the momma of these two cutie pies, and I had such a great time getting together with them as they did a mini photo shoot as a surprise birthday gift for their daddy, who is active military.  I am so excited and proud to have the opportunity to capture a moment in the lives of these sisters.  Time flies, and sometimes photos are the sweetest reminders we have of how things once were.

If you recognize these babes, shhhhh!!!  Don't tell!  :)

xoxo Bec

Mary | Senior 2013

I have to admit...at one point in this photo session, I got so excited that I burst into a weird dance-high walk-something that was probably more embarrassing than most of my behaviors...which is saying something.  But GUYS.  This session with my dear friend Mary was absolutely phenomenal.  Please share your love with this wonderful senior who is getting ready to head to ITALY through the Rotary Exchange program!  Can you believe it?!  In the fall she will enroll as a senior in a high school somewhere in beautiful Italy, and I cannot wait to hear what kind of adventures she has.

Heeeere's Mary!

xoxo Bec

Bowman | First Birthday

I have loved Bowman's parents for as long as I've known them--I think we're quickly approaching a decade!--and my goodness gracious, that affection has definitely duplicated itself with this sweetheart of a little boy!  When we all met up for these photos, Bo was asleep in the car.  His dad pulled him out of the car seat, and I gave him a little double-hand-wave as he woke up.  THAT LITTLE BOY REACHED FOR ME and let me hold him for AT LEAST THREE OR FOUR SECONDS (before he realized what he had done and dove back for his dad).  We are best friends.

Happy birthday, big guy!

xoxo Bec

SMU Belle Tones

Confession.

I'm in love.

Seriously.  This is the second year I've been able to photograph these phenomenal young women, and I LOVE THEM I WILL SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS.

Here is a video I shot at the end, as these ladies were sweet enough to sing me a song or two.  Please admire the music rather than critiquing the skills of the videographer!  

This is a first-round, way-too-late-but-I'm-excited, there's-more-to-come draft.  We kick it off with a few girls who wanted head shots, and then take it to the house with a few fun group shots.  Enjoy!

xoxo Bec

Morgan | Senior 2013

Well, some people just get all the good looks, now don't they?

Morgan is a senior at the high school I happened to graduate from (go dogs!), and I was so excited when she approached me about taking her senior portraits.  This is what I knew about her at the time:  she's as cute as a button, she's ridiculously athletic, and she's always down for a good time.

After spending an hour or two with Morgan and her mom, I found out I was definitely right!  Bonus:  she has such a fun sense of style!  This girl is a gem and I am so excited to see where, and what (that's right, she has options!) she decides to play in college.

xoxo Bec