Thank You

Today when I woke up, the first thing on my mind was the fact that we have 15 Christmas sessions tomorrow. I’m SO thankful for them and it’s going to be a fun and exhausting day. As I walked down the stairs to the kitchen and poured my cup of coffee I mentally formed my plan of attack for the next few days. They’re going to be busy. I had my quiet time and prayed. Fixed cereal for Mak and Miss CB…and then opened Facebook. Of course, it was painted with posts about Veterans Day. WOW. How selfish am I? All I could think about from the moment I woke up was how busy this weekend was going to be. It’s easy to forget on a day to day basis the sacrifices that are made and have been made to protect my freedom. The freedom that ensures that my husband has the right to go out there and work hard to provide for his family…freedom that means that I have the option of educating my children at home…that I have the right to sit on my couch and open my Bible with no persecution to speak of. All of the things that I hold close to my heart have been fought for by real people with real families. Shamefully, it’s easy to take it for granted. Here I am stressing about how I’m going to take care of the kids essentially by myself for the next few days while Collin is neck-deep in studio work. HA. At least he will be here. Mak and Clara Beth will see him every day and he will lay beside me in bed every night…even if his head does hit the pillow a few hours after mine does. He’s still here. I won’t be alone. For so many, though, that sacrifice of actually being separated has been made. Kids have gone a whole year without seeing their mom or dad. Dads have missed the births of children…birthdays…Christmas. Husbands and wives go to bed every single night for extended periods without the one that they love resting beside them. And, of course, there are so many who never come home. It makes me sad and angry at myself that so often I forget. I desperately want my children to have respect and admiration for our military. I want them to understand that our freedom comes at a price.

A few months ago we had the opportunity to spend a few hours with some great friends at Fort Jackson. Michelle wanted to do something special for the Nicholas’s 5th birthday session. Well, as all little boys do, Nicholas thinks his daddy is pretty much the greatest thing in the world. I was so excited when Michelle suggested that we head to Fort Jackson, where Jim spends so much of his time. It was an incredible opportunity for all of us and Mak and CB still talk about it weekly. Michelle, thank you for such a great idea for a session! Your five year old is one of the coolest kids I know and it was incredible seeing him here. Jim, thank you for your service. Words will never be able to express our gratitude for what you and so many like you sacrifice for our country.

And, finally, it’s not nearly enough but it’s what we can do. Here at Collin M. Smith Portrait Photography, those in the military will always receive Limited Edition prices on ANY session. It’s a small way that we can say “thank you” for the things you do.