This Bright Winter Morning

The first rays of morning light illuminate their tiny faces as I round the corner of the stairs.

How long have you been holding her like that?  I ask in a scratchy morning voice.

Shhh...she answers.  I think she's having a bad dream.

I remember when my big girl was a baby herself, when I held her for long hours by moonlight, thinking the dark night would never end.  I remember wondering if my own mother held me the same way, if she stayed awake the way I do now hoping the morning will be happy and bright.

She cries sometimes, wishing for a sister, and I feel guilty, knowing I have three and will not offer her even one.  She cries and then one of her favorite littles comes to spend the night, and she's in heaven.  The sisterless know better than anyone how desperately we need each other, how everything changes in the company of another whom we dare to call sister, to call friend.

May you wake, dear shutter sisters, on this bright winter morning, knowing how grateful we are for your company, for your eyes, for your lens, for your unique and beautiful way of seeing each other and this beautiful world.  Merry Christmas.

Leave a comment and win the chance to have one more little surprise to top off your holiday season.  Today's giveaway is the lovely Sisterhood necklace from Blue Poppy Jewelry.

Comments

[Lindy]

Merry Christmas!

[Jen]

So lovely.

[Jodyangel]

I am happy and proud to have you all as my Shutter Sisters. You are an incredible inspiration to me and lift me up when I'm down.

Merry Christmas dear friends..

[Jamie-o-e-o]

Merry Christmas to all!

[megan]

it is, indeed, magic...merry christmas!

[Toni]

Wonderful image and accompanied text. Merry Christmas!

[Marcie]

A beautiful post...and so very true.

[Irene Lenihan]

Happy Holidays to all my internet sisters.

[Elizabeth Harper]

Beautiful post. It is all about the love...isn't it...

http://www.giftsofthejourney.com/Elizabeth_Harper-Gifts_of_the_Journey/Blog/Entries/2008/12/25_Love_Is_The_Gift.html

[Dawn]

So Sweet, Merry Christmas!
:)

[Anita]

Gorgeous sentiment Jen.

[wilsonian]

A thought from Jen Lemen is gift enough.
Peace

[deezee]

here's to warm, fuzzy feelings...

[sammie]

Merry Christmas!!

[Cis]

Merry Christmas Back!

Thank you for you inspirations and ...

for all these wonderful give-aways!

[Sebrina]

Beautiful!!!!!!!!!! Merry Christmas!

[lizzy]

MERRY CHRISTMAS! & thank you, jen. this quote from emerson came to mind as i read, "there is no beautifier of complexion, or form, or behavior, like the wish to scatter joy and not pain around us."

[Camille]

What a sweet photo...
~Merry Christmas!

[Sharon]

Merry Christmas. I have seven sisters and love the sentiment.

[Rosa]

That is a gorgeous picture. The love shines through.

[Lisa]

Thank you for the wonderful site! I love what's going on here and am inspired by the photographs and posts. Have a very Merry Christmas to all and having two sisters myself, it's a joyous thing to have!

[heather]

Merry Christmas! Thanks for sharing the beautiful story... as one of the "sisterless" I hold strong to the sisterhood of friends.

[susan]

Lovely. Though I'm clueless since I've no sister and gave my only daughter just one measly little brother (according to her.) Big disappointment. ;-P

[AppleTree]

That is an amazing photo and wonder words to follow.

Thank you.

[Sonja]

Merry Christmas!

[Hay]

Sisters are so precious. I have none, but I have given birth to four, it's the most amazing thing in the world to watch them together. Beautiful post.

[Michelle]

Sisters together...

[Randi Nervig]

I knew as soon as I saw the picture that the comment was from Jen Lemen, and I knew even more when I read the words. You are such an inspiration, Jen, and your daughter is beautiful, inside and out!

[Sheri]

ooooh aahhh. merry christmas!

[divrchk]

Happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas! I hope everyone had a lovely day and enjoyed the fun from behind the lens.

[Christina]

Merry Christmas!!! That necklace is gorgeous!!!

[Wanda]

Beautiful. Merry Christmas.

[AmandaL]

What a lovely sentiment - and what a sweet girl to give the love of a sister to others. Happy Holidays!

[tammy b]

peace to you and yours this wonderous season.

[deena]

Merry Christmas! I love that sweet picture.

[Bethany]

This post reminded me how deeply delighted I am to have two little girls of my own, to each be the kind of close sister I never had. Merry, merry Christmas!

[Elaine]

Merry Christmas. May you all experience light in your homes and hearts.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/92348589@N00/3136169376/

(Happy Christmas to you, jen lemen. I see from your twitters you are enjoying your boots! Yes, very adorable.)

[Chris P]

I am a new blog subscriber. Merry Christmas to all.

[Stephanie]

sniff

[Christy]

No sisters here, but my boys have been so sweet today. Thank you for your beautiful words.

[sarai]

Merry Christmas!

[Karen]

Merry Christmas and blessings for the New Year!

[Joscelyne Cutchens]

Merry Christmas! :)

[Tracie]

There is nothing better than holding your babies close to your heart!

[Freda]

What a beautiful post. I am fortunate to have an older sister.

[Emily]

Merry Christmas!

Lovely post, I love my sisters-in-law dearly for this same reason.

[Liz]

merry christmas! thanks for all your inspiration. i always wished for a sister too, but have learned to make do with my two brothers. :)

[gonzomama]

thank you for such a beautiful post and thank you to all the sisters for such beautiful inspiration!
Merry Christmas!

[Secret Agent Mama]

So fantastically sweet! I would LOVE to win the Shutter Sister necklace!

[Heather]

what a sweet photo. and what a gorgeous necklace. merry christmas!