I know this is not a typical post from me as I’m usually blogging about my latest session. But I hope that’s okay and I hope you’ll enjoy it all the same.

As part of my growth as a photographer, I am participating in a Project 52 group with weekly themes to be interpreted how we wish. In week 2, our them was “House on Fire”. I couldn’t imagine what that would mean until I read the description…besides your family, besides your photographs, if you only had a few moments to decide, what would you make sure to take if your house was on fire? What are the important things?

Naturally, I want my photos, my hard drives with all my backups, those irreplacable photos hung on the walls. What else do I need that I can’t bear to be without? I looked around my room as I tried to think about what truly matters that much that I just have to have it. On top of the dresser, two wooden boxes with gold plates – one reads Latte and the other Nala. They were our children before we had children, our sweet, loving, loyal labs who passed within one year of one another. I have never experienced a heartache so intense as losing those two. We will take them with us to our forever home and say our proper goodbyes then.

But it’s not just about what’s important to me. When I stepped back and really thought about how heartbroken I would be without those things that mattered most to me, I remembered my children have theirs too.

Emily carries her blanket everywhere. It’s just a two part fleece blanket I “tied together” one year for her for Christmas. It’s been to Grandma’s house and back, to all the theme parks, and even to the Caribbean on a cruise. The fleece ties have stretched out as she uses them to carry it around the house, up and down the stairs each and every day. The tattered strings are her favorite and are what helps lull her to dreamland every night as she sweetly rubs it just under her nose. Don’t worry Emily, you will have this to carry with you whenever you need comfort.

We can’t forget about our most esteemed member of the family – Mr. Bear. A boy and his bear, I’ve never seen a pair more inseperable. In fact, Mr. Bear has been on as many if not more adventures than Emily’s blanket. He’s no longer the fluffy beige lovey he used to be and a few strings have come loose from his stitched eyes. But his satiny trim is cool and comforting and his tiny stuffed arms are still perfect for hugging. Benjamin buddy, Mr. Bear will see you off to college one day, I’m certain of it.

And Sam, well, he’s just a baby still and clings to hugs and kisses from Mama and tickles and giggles from Daddy.

That’s it. If all of my family is out safe, my children are comforted, and I have my photographs to keep all the memories alive, I will have all I ever need.

Please leave a comment below and tell me what you would take. And if you want to see more blog posts about my Project 52, I’d love to know that as well!! Thank you for letting me share. 🙂