Today, however, I am happy for so many reasons, and so thankful for so many more.
Last night, I went along with Dave to a new church he's started going to recently. It's just up the road, and I think it's been really important to him to find a new church and community that works with himself and his ideas of what church can be. He's really enjoyed it, and after asking me to not participate until he sussed it out (my conventional Catholicism, scathing wit and observational humour prove too awesome when in uncomfortable, over the top outwardly religious situations, such as Hillsong sing-a-longs) I was given an invitation last week. Haha. So we went, and it was full of lovely, casual and funny hipsters; not to mention quite possibly the friendliest place in Sydney. People smiled at us when we entered. People turned around and said hello. What!
Anyways.
I was sitting there and thinking to myself about what kind of place I am in right now. How was I actually feeling, like, across the board? Aside from the high of human beings being friendly to strangers (I AM A SMALL TOWN CANADIAN GIRL LIVING IN A HUGE AUSTRALIAN CITY OKAY) I was just struck with how... happy and thankful I am. Just generally so grateful to have this great life, beautiful friends, the silliest husband in all the land, and a family that is my everything. I spend time with friends, I do every ridiculous whim my heart desires, and I have a lot of love and even more laughter in my everyday.
Afterwards, this lovely woman was chatting with us and asked us about what we do, etc. I mentioned I was a photographer, and she was really interested and asked me lots of questions. I kind of surprised myself at how much I had to offer her! I've had such a turn around this last couple months, and I think I've lost track of how long things have been so great. I think I assumed in May that when things were looking up, it would inevitably lead to a bit of a lull, but it hasn't and I can't believe it. I've been busy and working so hard and it's really paying off. Here I am telling this woman about how yes, I do have quite a few clients and yes, it's going well... and none of it was to save face. Haha. Seriously, how lucky am I?
I came home thinking about the gorgeous people that I have been so lucky to work for, and it's been really blowing my mind. I don't know where they have come from, but I genuinely haven't had a bad experience yet and as a bonus, I feel like I've developed some real relationships. I guess my work really is about connecting with something and being able to catch that connection in a photo. I want my work to be filled with real emotions, and I'm so lucky to realise that all of those smiles I've got have been real. I look at my client list and it's like... How are you all so freakin' nice?! I spoke to a new client today on the phone for the first time and was just like, "OF COURSE you are so friendly and funny and adorable sounding!"
I've had so many reasons to feel happy, to feel relieved and lucky. Living apart from my family is by far the thing I struggle with the most, and when something goes wrong my first and nagging instinct is to go back home. I miss my family so much everyday, it kills me to not cuddle my dog, laugh with my Grampa, eat my mom's food... Haha. But more and more, things are looking up. Mom's health has improved ten fold after a few very, very rough months, Grampa seems to be recovering well, Nonna is in bloody top spirits since moving into her place and my brother has been given the best news he possibly could in the situation. After a really rough patch of hard news and difficult situations, things really are looking up there. The fact I get to see my family in October is something we've been looking forward to all year, and it's only getting more and more exciting. Every place Dave and I go, we usually leave saying "Yeah, definitely, have to bring Mom and Dad here." If we were ever to put that into practice, Mom and Dad would leave here 300 pounds each from every great restaurant we've ever eaten at, every great cheese we've ever eaten.
Literally, there are so many things to be thankful for, I can't list them all. I've been to Perth twice this year and spent more time with the boys than I did in the two years prior. I saw Katie P and discovered Thailand. We've been so social and really come into our own with a lot of our friendships. I have so many things to look forward to, so many people to see. Band practices! New Years Visits! Entertaining! Gigs! The fact Dave and I don't even have enough time to see so many people we'd like to says it all.
My confirming bit of inspiration for this post came just now by email. In March, I put out a call for some kids to model for a couple things I had wanted to try. The weather caused me to create a backyard studio, which really didn't live up to what I had envisioned. However, the kids and lovely families that came along were worth it.
Melinda had brought along her entire family - Lochlan, who is 7 and Scarlet and Piper, twin girls who were 18 months at the time. They were gorgeous and champions, they all did so well and were such a pleasure. Mel and her husband were just lovely. We kept in touch through facebook, Mel being ridiculously supportive! Mel suggest me to her sister, and I had a session with her, her partner and their new little bub. About a month ago, Mel asked me if I would be available to photograph the girls' 2nd birthday party, which I obviously delighted to do! I emailed her today a little party inspiration, and her response included this:
Was going to email you today! Came out this morning to Loch sitting on the lounge with a huge grin on his face. I asked him what he was making him smile & he pointed to the big frame of photos you took of us. He then asked when we can have that done again. He made me smile saying that, the best bit is he has no idea what I have planned for the girls party & you being here to take photos.
Talk about making my day, you guys.
So here I am, grinning like a knob, just taking in all of wonderful bits of everything. I'm sorry this post is so long, but life just feels so full right now - I had to share.
Lots of love. I hope there is plenty to feel grateful for today. xoxo.
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