(It's just that most the time, I choose to never let them make it on this blog, social media, or into my scrapbook!)
There are times when our smile just does not look good. It's forced. It's dumb. It's half-hearted. There's no reason to smile.
It might have been because we were NOT in the mood to get our photo taken.
We were tired.
We were mad at someone.
We were not excited.
We were frustrated with the photographer and had just uttered, through clenched teeth, "Just hurry and take the *&%$# picture!" - and at that very moment, they DID!
We were trying too hard.
We just weren't feelin' it!
CASE IN POINT:
Here's a few of MY less-than-stellar moments caught on "film" - or how do I say that now? Caught in the digital world?
And Matt's had a few doozies, too:
It happens even when we're together in a photo:
(They're just NOT that cute of us AT ALL!)
AND.....we see it in our teenagers, too!
It was practically like pulling eye teeth to get Ryan to show some love to the camera when he was getting his Senior pictures taken a couple weeks ago.
His "enthusiasm" about this experience is evidenced by his scrunched up forehead,
the look in his eyes that communicates, "My mom has such stupid ideas!",
his refusal to smile, but instead opted to stare down the photographer,
and his "forced smile.....that borders on gnashing his teeth.
(My sweet friend/photographer was VERY patient with him!)
BUT.....then in stark contrast......check out these pictures from the evening Ryan opened his mission call.
This event was a much anticipated, much welcomed, very blessed & joyful time in our lives.
(with his cousin, Tayler)
(with the "old neighborhood kids" - they first met when they were 4 & 5 years old!)
(no cringing, no lopsided, wacky stuff, no perturbed looks - EXCEPT for Bob Marley on the T-shirt, that is!)
I specifically remember when the picture was being taken, thinking, "I don't even have to TRY to smile for this, I just can't hold it back!
(Is that a GLISTEN in my eye? Do we have the Orbit gum commercial sparkle-on-the-teethy-smile going on?)
As exciting as it was to find out where & when he will be going, the fact that he is willing, and able, and worthy to go.....THAT is what is causing our bona fide smiles!
WHAT A DIFFERENCE it makes in your pictures (see photos at the beginning of this post for comparisons!) when you're genuinely feeling true joy - THE PROOF IS [definitely] IN THE PHOTOS!
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