| the blessings project…. | 03.1.10 |
i’ve always been fascinated by the way people blend…two people fall in love & create a little life…this sweet little person is a physical manifestation of love…we look for pieces we recognize…he has your “smile”…she has your “ears”…but really they’re an unimaginably perfect blend…years ago when i was pregnant with my first child, “the blessing project” was born….all children are blends…
but i’ve been particularly interested in how beautiful children from parents with different ethnic backgrounds blend…the sweet union of differences is amazing…so much beauty….and i think there is something powerful about a new born life looking up at two different faces & loving them the same…not knowing any difference….only learning later in life that there was a difference to begin with….
there was a moment when my four year old daughter looked up at me & asked me, “mama, if i scratch my skin….do i look like you underneath?”…my heart dropped to my stomach & i looked at her sweet face….i realized my answer was both yes & no…her brown skin would always be hers…just as my fair skin was mine….yet if you scratched either of us, we would bleed….we are, as all humans are…utterly & in the most important ways, simply the same….we love…we bleed…we dream…we are….
as i continue to photograph the blessing project…i do humbly & aware that there is much i do not & will not ever understand about the world…but one thing i know for sure, children are blessings….
xoxo
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March 1st, 2010 at 6:00 am
A beautiful post. Thank you.
March 1st, 2010 at 6:55 am
Always inspiring.
March 1st, 2010 at 7:45 am
Such a beautiful way to start the week. Thank you…
March 1st, 2010 at 8:24 am
I adore this post. It speaks to me and who I am. Thank you for sharing.
March 1st, 2010 at 8:29 am
I love your blog so much!
You have the most amazing pics!!
Thank you for sharing!
March 1st, 2010 at 8:52 am
I loved this post. When my son was born he was just that perfect. A combination of me and of his father. When I look at the young man he’s become kind , handsome funny witty ..perfect I have to smile. While he and I no longer look alike and his features are more like his fathers it’s beautiful to see the young man he’s become. I loved your response to your daughter..it reminded me of so much.
March 1st, 2010 at 10:08 am
Thank you for putting such beautiful words out into the world. It warms my soul.
March 1st, 2010 at 10:22 am
you are divine – I too feel that mixed ethnicities make the most beautiful people on the planet – inside and out. I had always thought / hoped my children would be so very different from me, but then you do not choose who you fall in love with and though our children may not be blessed with the combination of different ethnicities , I hope we can gift them with the love in their hearts that we are all, like you say, so similar underneath. What a beautiful post – thank you. xx
March 1st, 2010 at 10:23 am
Oh wow…perfect words. I love this project to pieces.
March 1st, 2010 at 10:25 am
Thank you for showing us how truly gorgeous the world we live in is. You have an amazing way with the camera. One of your biggest fans! ~Winnie
March 1st, 2010 at 10:29 am
What a lovely way to start this Monday – thank you Elizabeth!
March 1st, 2010 at 10:34 am
beautiful words…~! xoxo
March 1st, 2010 at 11:12 am
This is so beautifully written and conceived – you are so specially gifted and I am so proud of you.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:15 am
Beautiful… thank you.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:34 am
I really love this. The photos are beautiful as always, and your thoughts here are so well-written. Thank you for this post.
March 1st, 2010 at 11:47 am
such a beautiful post!
March 1st, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Oh Elizabeth, you bring tears to my eyes!!! You are amazing, and you have made me so so excited to have babies someday soon!!! Love to you and your beautiful family!
March 1st, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Lovely post! This project is so inspiring
Your posts always speak to me in such a beautiful way.
March 1st, 2010 at 2:34 pm
I had to comment and tell you; I love this post.
March 1st, 2010 at 5:28 pm
I too am very interested in children with parents of different ethnic backgrounds- how they come together and create a new, perfect being. Your photos are stunning, absolutely beautiful!
March 1st, 2010 at 6:08 pm
Thanks for sharing these beautiful words and images Elizabeth! xo
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:09 am
Uhhhh!!! You have me misty eyed over here…that was so beautiful Elizabeth!
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:29 am
I can’t wait until the day my love and I have children – I’m pale swedish and born with white blond hair, he’s half finnish half Indian with beautiful dark hair and cappucino skin…. I also love the mix!
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:33 am
lovely photos as usual! my nephew is actually a perfect blend…a white mama with a hit of japanese and a dark father…making him the sweetest little brown color I’ve ever seen! He’s gorgeous!
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:47 am
… and every single word is true. So inspiring, Your words speak right to my heart x
March 2nd, 2010 at 7:30 am
How lovely is this, Elizabeth? Just love this post.
March 2nd, 2010 at 9:22 am
Lovely : ) I always look at my daughter and see… the most beautiful girl in the world. I pinch myself everyday… is this really? My dream come true.
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:25 am
I look at your blog every day and I’m constantly in awe at the images you capture…but today’s post brought tears to my eyes. As I prepare for the birth of my first child in May i often sit and wonder what amazing combination of me and my boyfriend it will be. Will it have my blue eyes with my boyfriends warm, brown skin? Will this child know that no matter what the color of it’s eyes or shade of it’s skin that it’s father and i love them so much already without ever having set eyes on it’s beautiful face. thank you for expressing my thoughts in those amazing images and lovely words.
March 2nd, 2010 at 11:12 am
Beautiful. Beautiful words and beautiful pictures. I hope your words go out into the universe and spread more love around b/c they are so very true!
March 2nd, 2010 at 5:29 pm
You’re not only a beautiful photographer, but a beautiful writer. I tear up at practically every post!
March 2nd, 2010 at 8:58 pm
No words, just in awe of the post and how much you already make the world a beautiful place… one picture at a time….
March 3rd, 2010 at 4:59 pm
makin the pregnant lady cry here! : ) lovely, lovely photos and words.
March 4th, 2010 at 2:28 am
the blend of difference ethnics > i love this!!! i love your post and always update to your blog… it’s all awesome.
March 4th, 2010 at 8:10 am
your work is pure beauty and inspiration….
you are yourself a blend of talent and soul in every image and word, and few photographers love life and hit hearts in the way you do….
March 9th, 2010 at 9:54 am
I’m so touched and moved by these images and your words, and love all these photographs. Just beautiful…
March 11th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
You have such a beautiful heart. I’m glad I was able to hear you speak at WPPI.
March 17th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
I will be so happy when the day comes that no one knows what “group” anyone belongs to the group called human. Your words ring so true. My husband and I are from mixed heritages. We are trying to get pregnat ans we cannot wait to see what our baby will look like. Thanks for the inspiration.
March 17th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
beautiful!
April 16th, 2010 at 10:57 am
“but i’ve been particularly interested in how beautiful children from parents with different ethnic backgrounds blend..” Call me crazy, but I think all children are enately beautiful…. regardless of ethnic make up.
April 17th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
I also am a mother of mixed children, me being caucasian and my husband african american, and I can relate to this post. My daughter is 4 and notices the difference in color between her father and me. I will raise her to know that we are not judged by God for the color of our skin, but for the lives we lead and how we praise and glorify Him! Children are definately blessings! I thank God everyday for my children!
May 7th, 2010 at 10:32 am
This is one of the most beautiful things I’ve read and viewed. I am a new bride who looks forward to beautiful mixed children in my future. You articulate love, beauty, compassion, heartache and acceptance in your words and photos in a way many struggle to express. And, simply put, children are a blessing and a miracle of love. Thank you for this. It’s beautifully simple and perfect.
August 9th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
i really love this post… lovely, inspiring words… beautiful pictures.. Simply PERFECT!! i’m gonna post this in my site.. check this out >>> http://chubskawaii.tumblr.com/post/929837635/the-blessing-project
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:39 am
i may be late in finding this post but nonetheless incredibly moved – by your words & photos.