Let Me Take a "Selfie"

Ok... so by the title you may or may not think I'm a little crazy! :) I'll let you wonder for awhile....
Alright, in all seriousness, this is something I've been considering blogging about for some time now, it's just been a matter of putting it into words... well words that will make sense.... sometimes it makes sense in my head, but not when I try to explain!
 So, let's review first of all... when you take a picture, what is the purpose? To capture a moment? To embrace a memory? To show others? There's a myriad of reasons to take a picture, right?! And they say, "a picture is worth a thousand words". But what happens when the picture doesn't turn out the way you want? It's blurry, you cut someone's head off....you know... it's disappointing right? Disheartening.

I remember, a few years ago, spending several months in England and getting to see the Queen with my brother... I was so mad because all of my pictures of her we a blurred mess of her horse drawn carriage... it was more like a smear! I was so upset... my brother said to me in that moment, "Sis, you're here. No one can take that away from you. It's your memory in your heart and mind. You don't have to prove to someone you were here with a picture." I'll never forget those words... he was so right... I had the honor and privilege of seeing the Queen of England, and I was mad about a picture....But I was there. I saw her with my own two eyes. No one could take that away from me. Conversely, neither could anyone join me or experience what I did, simply by looking at a picture. Even if it had been professional and crystal clear!
  Now, fast forward to present day... If any of you are friends with me on Facebook, you know I have an album called Miscellaneous Me... vain right?! No. The whole point of that album was to have a place to put pictures of myself for my biological family that I don't know well, that I never see, to be able to see me.. just me. Yes they can see my other pictures of me doing things with friends etc., but this is just me, my transformation....or aging! HAHA! As I've taken pictures to add to the album I've sometimes become frustrated... Sometimes, and I can't believe I'm admitting this, I'll take 8 or more pictures before I find one I like well enough to post. Now, some of you will say, she has a self esteem problem... actually, a lot of times when I take the pictures it's because I'm actually really liking what I see in the mirror. I'm saying "Thank you Lord, for who you made me". Not in a vain way at all, but being proud of who I am, being comfortable in my skin. So then, when I "take a selfie", as modern culture would say, I'm disappointed when I don't see in the picture, what I see in the mirror, or what I feel inside... My point in all of that, is to say this: Enjoy the life God gave you. Enjoy the body he put you in. Make memories WITH people. As nice as technology is to have and to be able to take a picture to post for my family to see, the fact is they aren't here to see me in person. To enjoy my company. To make memories. To smile WITH me. I'm not saying that in a condemning way either. It is what it is. But just remember next time you take a "selfie" ...alone or with your friends, savor the moment, the LIVE, in person moment. The picture might not turn out perfect, but no one can take away the moment or the memory!