The food bill has nearly doubled coz this is a house of hungry hoors. The cooking is constant. The house seems to get messier every time I turn my head.
And lets not even talk about the hair!!! The Afro Rock Mullet is back. And I’m talking 1980s Motley Crue as opposed to Heart.
For us it started on the evening of Mothers Day. We had High Tea and champagne at ours at lunchtime. The craic was mighty as always. Much laughter and noise was had. I won’t go into details of why we as a family decided it had to happen but it just did.
I honestly can’t remember the last time there were just the 7 of us. Daddy, Mummy and us 5 girls. No husbands, no kids, just us 7 Devlins. And what a way to start the Lockdown. I am so glad we had that day coz lets face it, since then has been pretty pants for everyone.
The longer this lockdown goes on the more the memories we have of better times are so very important.
Hugging our parents and grandparents, our kids and our grandkids. Our partners who don’t live with us. Lunch and coffee dates with friends. Driving to the coast for a walk along the shore to get the head blown clane off us.
The nights out with friends. Even just being able to chat with a friend in the shop without being shouted at by security. (I heard that happened someone. Wasn’t me. Nope. Maybe)
The memories of better times give us all hope that they will return again very soon and the world will be well again.
Do the job you were blessed with as only you know how.
And as for *all the Brendas & Donnas* posting how amazing they are doing with their videos of their wonderful parenting skills. Getting it all done. The exercising, home schooling, hobbies, teaching the kids how to bake. Cleaning the house to within an inch of their life. Pay no bloody heed to them. I’m just happy I haven’t half murdered someone yet and there is clean underwear in the drawers. Just keep on doing what you're doing. Because you are fuppin amazing!
Give yourself a big high five in the realisation that you are doing an amazing job. The kids haven’t a clue what sacrifices you have made or how much you worry about their future, and even less do they care…. they’re wee shits at times. That we can all agree on.
All they can see is the hugger, the woman who kisses to make things better, snack carrier, arse wiper, the one who lets them eat easter egg for breakfast, lunch and tea coz you just can’t be fecked fighting with them.
BREAK THE RULES
These are scary times for everyone, so breaking the rules is totally acceptable, keeping those closest to you safe is whats important. Your wee family bubble. Let them have cake for breakfast, let them run around in their pants and wellies with a tiara, let them ... they need reassured and protected.
And they adore you for it. So give yourself that fist bump, the high five the pat on the back, glass of wine, 4th Gin of the day. Whatever!
You deserve it for keeping your family happy and together. Just do what you gotta do.
]]>I wrote this blog a few years ago and now in these scary times I feel it is even more relevant
For as long as I remember I have always loved looking at photographs. I remember from a very young age getting my Mums photo albums out and looking through them over and over again. Asking questions about who was in them and where was it taken, what are we wearing? lol It passed many an hour.
Now many years later and I'm a photographer. I have the absolute pleasure of being asked to capture special moments in families lives. Be it birthdays, family portraits, special occasions and not forgetting weddings. Now with weddings I don't usually hear what I'm about to chat about but on the other occasions I have come across it quite a few times.
Parents not wanting their photograph taken!!!!!
*Are you Missing?*
As much as is possible I encourage parents (I can be very persuasive) to jump in for a few shots at the end of the session. I can tell you that not once has it been regretted. They love having shots of the fun moments of the shoot captured and always choose them as part of their package. It's so very important to be able to look back at photographs and smile at the memory it evokes. And what about the children? They might not remember the shoot but they have a photograph to cherish once we are long gone.
Parents not wanting their photograph taken!!!!!
*Are you Missing?*
As much as is possible I encourage parents (I can be very persuasive) to jump in for a few shots at the end of the session. I can tell you that not once has it been regretted. They love having shots of the fun moments of the shoot captured and always choose them as part of their package. It's so very important to be able to look back at photographs and smile at the memory it evokes. And what about the children? They might not remember the shoot but they have a photograph to cherish once we are long gone.
Now I know I'm so very lucky nay blessed to still have both my parents still with me. Does this stop me looking at photos of them? No way!!!! A few years ago I bought a scanner and went to my Parents house and scanned all their photographs.I am so glad I did, because now I can look at them whenever I want. Absolute pleasure to do.
Yellowed Sellotape and all. As I said before I cannot get enough of photographs. They are so very precious.
So the next time you are about to utter an excuse, be it "I've no make up on" or "nah I'm alright over here" or " no thanks I'm shy" whatever, just remember your children won't care or even notice in years to come if you had your hair done or if you are still in your work clothes, no make up on etc .... guess what??? It's not about you.
It's about those little people that love you to bits. All they will see is their wonderful loving Parents. Please don’t be missing. Get into those photos, take the selfies with your family.
"Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still." Dorothea Lange
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