Self-portrait

by Cheryl, posted on November 29th, 2011 in Just me, Remembe(red), Write on Edge

I take a billion pictures of my kids. Time goes so fast, capture it while you can, right? We document all their firsts, all their smiles – gummy, toothy, then gummy again as the teeth start falling out like chicklets. We have literally thousands of pictures and video and I am so thankful we do.

There aren’t nearly as many photos of me as a child. Partly because I was a third, but mostly because we didn’t have the technology we have now, where everything is digital. Remember having to calculate how many more pictures you could take based on how much film was left on the roll in your camera? Now we just snap away, download it all, and fill up our hard drives.

One thing I notice is how few pictures there are of my mother. I make a point of occasionally getting myself in front of the camera, because I know my kids are going to want to see what I looked like, when they are adults and I am so very much older. They won’t remember much of how I was at this age.

We went to the beach Sunday. It was a glorious day, better than some we’ve had in the summer. No fog, just a sky so blue it hurt to look at it. The kids were happy to dig in the sand and jump in the surf. I spread out a towel near them and let the sun seep into my skin.

And I took pictures of them with my iPhone. Then I turned the camera on me. This is who I am, right now.

Writer, mother, wife, friend.

Strong. Centered.

On the verge.

This post was based on the prompt to show who we were when a photography was taken for Write on Edge.

Comments

58 Responses to “Self-portrait”

elissapr Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 2:15 am

…Not to mention your kids will also say: “gee, mom really did have freaking fabulous abs.”

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Kathleen Basi Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
I was going to say something pretty much the same!
Kathleen Basi recently posted..Beadwork: The Origin of Motherhood

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adventures in alyssaland Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
Me too!
adventures in alyssaland recently posted..Hunting in Alyssaland

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Maija @ Maija's Mommy Moments Reply:
November 29th, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Me Three! I wish I could a) wear a bikini and b) if I could I wish I could look half as good in it as you do!

Oh… great post by the way
Maija @ Maija’s Mommy Moments recently posted..Adult Essentials Review and Giveaway

Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 12:58 am
Ha. Not even.

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:14 am
Oops. I didn’t see all these follow up comments! You guys are so very kind!!

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Terri Sonoda Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 2:17 am

Gorgeous pictures of a lovely woman. The sun played an amazing part in both pictures, as well. Lovely. Thanks for sharing.
Terri Sonoda recently posted..Ten of my Favorite Photos and Monday Listicles

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 12:59 am
Thanks, Terri! I thought the way the sun came through was amazing, too.

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Wendy Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 2:32 am

I officially hate you. <— the abs.
Will you give me your workout tips, please? Better yet, how do you fit everything into one day?
And I'm kidding about hating you.
Wendy recently posted..Recipes from Friends

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 12:59 am
Hee! Glad to know you don’t really hate me. I would totally be sad panda!

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jane@flightplatformliving Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 2:35 am

wow…i bet your kids dont tell you you are like a bouncy castle…wish i looked likethat at the beach! lovely pics and perhaps i willbrave the front of the cameraa little more xxx

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 12:59 am
Ack! A bouncy castle? And they do like to tell me my butt shakes, so there’s that.

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Ratz Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:15 am

You are indeed a strong woman Cheryl and i have always admired you… and may i say, it is a great self-portrait.

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:00 am
Wow, thanks Ratz! I really appreciate it. xo

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cath Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:25 am

You are so right, so many of us moms are busy behind the camera, and rarely stray in front of the lens. Since I took photography up as a serious hobby, I am even less so. And you are right…there needs to be a photo record of us left behind.

It IS about me…I just never thought it was.
cath recently posted..embrace, a haiku

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:06 am
Yes! Definitely get yourself into pictures. Your kids and your future grandkids and so on will appreciate it for sure.

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tracy@sellabitmum Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 7:57 am

Love you. Love this. Love your hot tummy.
tracy@sellabitmum recently posted..Homebody..

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:06 am
Your skinny belly would kick mine any day of the week – and twice on Tuesdays.

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tracy@sellabitmum Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:13 am
So not true. I cannot wear a bikini.
tracy@sellabitmum recently posted..WIN! Disney on Ice Presents Treasure Trove – Minnesota Ticket Giveaway!

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:14 am
What are you talking about? Of course you can.
Nancy C Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:00 am

I really loved the first picture as well. You just look happy in both of them.

I mean, as happy as sculpted abs can look.

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:07 am
Hee! I love that first picture, too. The sun exploding out of my head makes me very happy indeed.

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Runnermom-jen Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 8:58 am

Cheryl, I love this!! Everything about it. I too have many pics of the kids, and not many of myself.

P.S. I’m very jealous of your beach bod!!
Runnermom-jen recently posted..The Faces of Me

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:08 am
Thanks! Definitely put yourself in the pictures. I know I don’t like getting in them because I always feel like my hair’s a mess or a don’t have makeup on or whatever, but kids do not care!

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angela Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 9:11 am

This is so true. I should try to do this more, because there are so few pictures of anyone BUT the kids

And um, hello, happy abs. You’re a hot mom!

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:09 am
I know. I have gazillion pictures of the kids and about 3 of me with them. Sigh.

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Mrs. Wonder Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 10:58 am

I have told my husband several times I need more pictures of me- but mine end up with Chip and Dale in them.
Mrs. Wonder recently posted..Somebody

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:10 am
You need the pics!!

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Mama Bub Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 12:38 pm

I need to do this more, too. I’m great about taking pictures of my husband, but less great about handing the camera to someone else to include ME in the shot.

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:10 am
I’m usually running away to hide from the camera, but I need to get over myself and get in there.

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joann Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 1:11 pm

hm. you are looking Mighty GOOD lady. This makes me feel happier about the decision to torture myself with P90X last night. It wasn’t pretty, but maybe SOMEDAY…
joann recently posted..(Traveling Around In My Flip Flops Today)

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:11 am
Hee! Also, you just had a baby. Give yourself a break!!

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Felicia Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 1:54 pm

Your kids deserve a photo of your tushie. It’s a thing of magical wonder.

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:12 am
Snort. You crack me up!!

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Jen Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 2:26 pm

Gorgeous!
Jen recently posted..Preschool Volunteering from Hell

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:12 am
Thanks, my lovely friend! xo

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adventures in alyssaland Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 3:22 pm

Loved this.

“Remember having to calculate how many more pictures you could take based on how much film was left on the roll in your camera? Now we just snap away, download it all, and fill up our hard drives.”

That took me back….
adventures in alyssaland recently posted..Hunting in Alyssaland

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:13 am
The only advantage was we actually had pictures. Now, everything sits on my computer and we rarely print anything out.

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Jessica Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 3:25 pm

I will take some of your sun with a side of great abs.
Jessica recently posted..When Your Family Grows

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:13 am
Ha! Come on out any time!! xo

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Charlotte Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 3:27 pm

You are totally right. It’s nice to be able to look through the pics of my childhood and see my parents young and carefree. Your children will cherish these one day.

And seriously–you have some RIDICULOUS abs! GO YOU!!!
Charlotte recently posted..plus one

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:17 am
I truly wish I had more pictures of my parents with us when we were young. It makes me determined to get over myself and get in front of the camera with them more often.

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Kimberly Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 3:50 pm

Can I have your stomach?
Kimberly recently posted..Saying Good-bye Has Never Been So Bittersweet

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:17 am
Yes. Take it. But you’ll have to take my ass, too. Sorry. Package deal.

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julie gardner Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 3:50 pm

Hello, lovely.

Living in southern California doesn’t suck, huh?

Cheers to sunshine. And self portraits.
julie gardner recently posted..Today call me lucky. Still.

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:18 am
It doesn’t entirely suck to be at the beach in late November.

In other ways? It sucks more than anything can possibly suck.

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Krisitna Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 5:51 pm

This is beautiful.

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Jenn Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 9:06 pm

Wow. I want some of your sun! and some abs Great pos!
Jenn recently posted..Self Portrait

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:19 am
Hee! Thank you!

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Mandyland Says:
November 29th, 2011 at 11:53 pm

That stomach housed children? Good God woman! I’m impressed. And jealous. Enough to put down the slice of leftover pie I had just cut.

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Cheryl Reply:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:19 am
Well, if you’re not going to eat that pie….

#amhungry

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Elaine Says:
November 30th, 2011 at 1:53 pm

There are quite a few pictures of my mother from when I was growing up because my father LOVED to take her photograph. I just love that so much.

As I do this.
Elaine recently posted..Over the bayou and through the woods to the zoo we go…

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Cheryl Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 2:00 am
How sweet is that???

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Cameron Says:
December 1st, 2011 at 12:27 am

Damn.

That is all.
Cameron recently posted..What the Camera Saw

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Cheryl Reply:
December 1st, 2011 at 2:01 am
That’s it? Huh.

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John Says:
December 1st, 2011 at 4:28 pm

“This is who I am…” (that impossibly beautiful mother who some of us have no idea how she does it all). Hee.

I’ve often wondered about pictures & stuff. I mean, I absolutely cherish a picture of my grandfather’s youth . . . and such pictures of my other grandparents are absolutely non-existent.

But, I’m pretty sure my kids will be able to show their own grandchildren their facebook profiles, and be able to go back to the day they were born . . . possibly being able to put at least a picture forward for every day of their lives.
John recently posted..Where I set out to win Gigi’s camera

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Gayletrini Says:
December 2nd, 2011 at 10:20 pm

Yeah the Mom with the slamming abs
I need to remember this I am very rarely in front the camera either.
Love this
Gayletrini recently posted..Oh no the hair.

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Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being Rudri Says:
December 5th, 2011 at 11:20 pm

Beautiful.
Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being Rudri recently posted..What Are You Reading?

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