The goal of the photographer is not to change their subjects, but for the subject to change the photographer.
Taking photos of “stray gifts” has a way of changing people, or rather, the act of noticing and giving thanks for these gifts makes a difference. Documenting them through photos is a creative outlet for me. Several friends have shared with me their own stray gifts and it means so much that they have been encouraged to stop and take note of something beautiful in the day. I do not know if any of the photos I post change the mass of people who look at my page or if they help them see things differently, but I know that in noticing the details of a flower, a note from a friend, a kind act from a family member, it has a way of melting away sadness, doubt, and fear of the unknown in myself. In the details of the things I notice, God shows me that He is there and that His gifts come by the handfuls. Here is the latest in my photography subjects:
- All the hard work in the yard is paying off. Stray gifts are spotted in a yellow butterfly, bees hanging around our yellow bells, and now hummingbirds stopping by in the morning. The photo is a tad blurry because it was taken through a kitchen window.
- The red roses that my dad picked out for the yard are blooming again.
- I never know which way the vines will grow. It’s always fun to watch the way the Morning Glories intertwine and stretch around this lattice.
- The “mystery flower” which turned out to be a sunflower died a few weeks ago and I popped it off. All that was left was the stalk and the leaves. The day I took this photo, I noticed this new growth!
- I am catching up from stray gift photos from August. We have had company and now are getting back to normal around the house. This is a photo taken a few weeks ago of a new rose on the bush. It was just a bud the day before and already looked wilted. It is still pretty hot here this time of year, but I was glad to see that the roses will be blooming again on this bush.
- Quiet nooks, the scent of books. This was the day we took my aunt who was visiting to the historic town of Old Mesilla, New Mexico. There are lots of shops selling native New Mexican jewelry, gifts, food items, and more. In this shopping area, there is one bookstore that my son and I love to go in to explore.
Pleasure is spread through the earth In stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find. -W. Wordsworth
