I'm glad mine knew the secret.

I was at my final photography class tonight* and the instructor, who I have come to adore, shared a few of her personal insights.  She's a wedding photographer, and she was talking about special moments and how it's more important to have a less than perfect picture than no picture at all.  The example she used was not the most obvious one.  It wasn't the first kiss, the walk down the aisle, or even the daddy-daughter dance.  It was a mother daughter moment. These are two of my favorite pictures of all time, and although they are not perfect, I'm sure glad my photographer knew the secret.

Little did my instructor know the week I was having, and that her simple little example would have me in tears.  I think I hid it well though.  On a normal week, I would have felt a little guilty about committing to something from 7-9, because I'd miss that last hour before Hardin goes down, and these days I'd miss old man Jason going down as well.  This was so much worse.

I booked it before I knew Jason was leaving this morning to go out of town for the weekend, and mom was just going to spend the night tonight.  It was also before I knew I'd be sick Monday, and mom would have already taken H home for one night this week.  Jason took off Thursday, so she also "worked" on her "off day" Wednesday because he had to go into the office.  She's been busy!  

I taught a class from 9-12 today, and then came home to spend the afternoon with H, so I wasn't feeling as bad about that.  But I sure am feeling guilty about my mom being a 24-hour-a-day nanny this week.  And of course, that's not because my mom has done anything to make me feel that way, quite the opposite.  She's too nice for her own good!  And I'm lucky she's mine.  So are Hardin, Jason, Lara, Jason R. and B for that matter.  Lucky and blessed. 

I swear, if the woman knew how much respect I'd have for her not only as an AWESOME grandmother, but as a mother as well, she might have rethought all of those wait until the one talks.  The pure joy and simultaneous exhaustion that is motherhood, makes me love her in a whole new light!

*Monica finally landed the plane tonight, so to speak.  I wanted to scream "why didn't you just tell me this three classes ago?!?!"  But I understand that if she would have tried to, I would have looked at her like she had three heads.  There's no way I would have understood the reasoning behind it.  Hopefully, I'll be able to use this information in a good way now.  There was also a reason I couldn't reschedule.  Her husband took a job in Cleveland, and she's leaving soon.  I am SO sad I won't be able to take anymore of her classes.  Not because I'm any better with the camera, I just like her as a person so much!  I can't say enough about Monica B!