25 Comments
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Pam Wilkinson's avatar

I love Frank’s drawing. Tempted to frame it myself.😂

The photo booth pics are a laugh. My fave is top left.

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Leah McLaren's avatar

well technically I own the copyright so I officially grant you permission to print and frame. Enjoy Pam. xxx

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Michele Carroll's avatar

What kind of a question is that? Yes absolutely, don’t wait and put it in a drawer. It screams spontaneity, confidence, energy, pride and love. Love of life, love for each other and love for you. May turn out to be the most precious photo you will have on your dying day. It’s a moment. And then it’s gone. It brings tears to my eyes ( not just a tear!) and then a laugh when I recall the years when looking at old photos was inappropriately tearful.

The crying. It was closer to balling really was a response to loss. I had my fair share of loss as we all do. My beautiful little boys who worshipped and depended on me no longer existed. And the person I wasI then is, well, slightly altered, ageing. Still needed and loved but differently. Time is a thief. Your kids become the people you tried to encourage them to be - independent, admirable with opinions that you may not share.

Your contact sheet has captured a moment when tor you life is as good as it gets. You’ll just have to trust me on that.

I’m

Ditto your sons perceptive and oh so connected card. I know you’re up on the fact that you can’t hide anything from your kids. Nothing. Forget it. They know through the molecules they breathe how you feel.

And his message is for Everyone. Wisdom of children.

Try really really hard for a very long long time. Simple, succinct, best advice you’ll ever get, tender and marinated in love.

You need two frames.

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Leah McLaren's avatar

Michelle, this is beautiful. I agree on the crying front. The thing that gets me every time is the passage of time... and with children, you're right. They change and they change, always receding, and who they were is layered over who they are, who they will be... which is all to say thank you for sharing. x

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Beth Anne's avatar

Yes! Frame it!

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Nicole's avatar

Yes to the frame, love it! And Happy Fucking Mother's Day ;)

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Leah McLaren's avatar

Bahahaha Nicole, you doll! Sending love from one fucking mother to another across oceans and continents xxx

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Writeorama's avatar

That picture is a wonderful testament to both you and your son. It would be a loss if you didn't frame it!

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Leah McLaren's avatar

done!

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Leah McLaren's avatar

done and done and thank you x

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Iain MacDonald's avatar

Yes, frame and keep adding them. Happy Mother’s Day.

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Leah McLaren's avatar

oooh, do you mean take a new one each Mother's Day and then make a gallery? (I love a little project)

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Iain MacDonald's avatar

Yeah, like an annual update...school pictures but without the BS. Hanging it on a date makes it rememberable, and fun when they in their 20s and you've had pints on the way

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Pamela Salisbury's avatar

Yes! Frame the photos and enjoy the happy day!

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Leah McLaren's avatar

I shall -- in fact I have!

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Velvet Haney's avatar

Look at your beautiful boys! Happy Mothering Day.

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Leah McLaren's avatar

a belated thank you to you Velvet. xxx

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Gina Burton's avatar

Yes! And the picture❤️

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Leah McLaren's avatar

Thank you Gina, a belated happy UK Mother's Day to you too. x

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Leah Eichler's avatar

Love the photos

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Leah McLaren's avatar

Thank you Esoterica. (I know that's not your name, but "Esoterica" would be a great first name for a film noire femme fatale or a Bond girl, don't you think?

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Leah Eichler's avatar

Now that you mention it, it would. Maybe she would carry a book of Sylvia Plath's more obscure poems and smoke one of those long cigarettes.

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Leah McLaren's avatar

and drive a vintage Saab and have two greyhounds named Titus and Andronicus

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Pamela Salisbury's avatar

Yay! Sending love and hugs to you. I hope things are going well.

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Leah McLaren's avatar

much better thanks

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