PostPoems Be Artistic. Be Creative. Be Inspired!

Their first family portrait was soon after little Violet was born…

It was taken in their hospital bed.

There was a mix of emotions on their faces 

as they prepare for their life ahead.

It is a beautiful portrait because within the frame you see

the joy that comes with creating a brand new family.

I love how those of us within the family

who couldn’t be there to share…

how, through the magic of the camera,

in that moment…we were there.

But the closer I look at the three of them

I’m not sure how this happens…but I swear….

I begin to see, surrounding them,

people who are not there.

I see my mom and dad, Deborah’s mom and dad

and lots of people I don’t know…

ancestors from both sides of the family

who left us long ago.

There they are…crowded into their hospital room

filling every space…

and every single one of them has a smile on their face.

And as more and more people crowd into that portrait

It’s easy for me to see…

they are there to welcome Violet into our ever growing family.

I love how this happens anytime I see a portrait of our family.

It makes me pause a moment to give thanks…

at how my eyes look at the picture…and my mind fills in the blanks.

I can’t wait for the day Deborah and I 

look at this picture with Violet…tell her about the moment it was shot…

and remind her how we’ll always be with her…

even…when we’re not.