Gratitude Attitude

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I have been enjoying the "Gratitude Attitude" that people have been spreading on their blogs or Facebook.

The assignment is to write a daily note, during the month of November, of something, big or small, you are thankful for.

I am jumping on the wagon a little late, half way into the month, but none the less, I am bursting with gratitude and am dieing to share what I am grateful for.

I am grateful for my camera.

It has a special story behind it. Allow me to share...

When I was pregnant with Cayman, I did not know if we should be planning for a funeral or a nursery.

But when she lived...

And we got to bring her home...

To be a family together...

That put within me the desire to retain every beautiful piece of our lives with her and never forget the amazing gift Cayman's life is to us. Photography has been that avenue to keep those precious memories sharp in my mind and heart. The pictures and videos I take, enable me to forever capture a special moment and freeze it while the rest of life continues on.

Mike began to recognize this passion within me awhile ago. That's when he did something completely untypical...

He bought something very expensive without talking to me first! (uh-oh) *insert the scary doom music here*

It was Christmas time (of last year). Mike ordered my gift but had it secretly shipped to his parents' house so I would not find it.

Now, I am not a snoopy person, but I am so organized and aware of every crack and corner of our home, it makes hiding anything from me very difficult.

That is true of me except for our house where we live now though. This place has a decent amount of space, but it's so undefined that it's taking some time to bring it up to the state of organization that I like. Mike just might get away with hiding my Christmas gift at our house this year. :)

When Christmas day came, he brought out the neatly wrapped gift, that I could only assume he had someone else wrap for him. (Mike's wrapping jobs have a presentation all of their own.)

I ripped away the red and green Santa Claus paper and stared blankly at the Nikon camera box in my hands. I shot a look at Mike that said, "I can't believe you bought this without talking to me first!"

Knowing what I was thinking, Mike said, "Kris, we can afford this, I will make sure of it. Besides, the gift is not from me. Read the card."

There was a little piece of torn wrapping paper, folded over, and taped to the outside of the box. I turned it over and read the familiar scribbles of Mike's handwriting:

Because you are the best Mommy in the world!

Love,

Cayman

Mike had bought the camera under a full refund policy so if I decided I did not like it or could not relax about the money that was spent, it could be returned.

For the first three days Mike snapped pictures, played with all the fancy settings, and showed me some tricks. After that third day, when I began to relax, I picked up the camera, snapped a picture of Cayman, and the rest is history.