A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words
“A picture is worth a thousand words.”
How many times have we heard the oft used phrase?
Pictures on paper, pictures on the computer screen, pictures in our minds.
We take photos at major and minor events in our lives. We take them to make a piece of a memory.
I have someone close to me in my life that I affectionately call “The Picture Queen.” She takes photos in rapid succession. Sometimes it may feel like the paparazzi, but she takes all of those photos for a reason …
To be able to look back on events that mean a great deal to her and to those that are in the photos
We can take photos with a phone, cameras, and, of course, with our eyes and mind. Photos capture that “moment.” They help us re-live memories that touch our hearts. They could be of loved ones, love that was had, then lost, and maybe found again. They could be of those that were lost too soon in life, and when those memories come to the surface, there may be tears or there may be laughs. They always are warm and happy feelings, though.
Photos are windows into times in our lives that bring emotions to the surface that we sometimes forget.
We have people in our lives that we will never or can ever forget. They reach into our hearts, touch our soul, and we are never the same person.
Life is precious; so is love.
When it comes, and often at times we never expect, we should always capture those cherished moments not only in our mind’s eye, but in some way to have a visual reminder of those moments that passed all too soon.
A picture is worth a thousand words. It is also worth a thousand tears, a thousand laughs, a thousand smiles, and a thousand warm feelings.
Pictures taken when we were children … we all have moms and dads that took that “embarrassing” photo. The joy it gives them is worth any embarrassment. When the day comes that they have gone to a better place, even then we can look at those embarrassing photos and smile knowing the joy it brought to the ones that gave us life.
Some don’t like their picture taken and say:
“I never take good pictures.”
It’s not for you to judge. The person taking the picture loves the image created and will hold it close to their heart.
A snap shot of time; a snippet of a memory.
To them, it could be the most beautiful picture taken. So keep in mind, you do take good photos.
Memories feed our soul.
Pictures in our mind, on paper, in a scrapbook, or filed in computer memory bring smiles and joy to those who have them. We can make funny faces, but the image captured is a moment in time. A moment filled with love, togetherness, and joy.
A wedding, a graduation, a prom, a walk on the beach, a dinner cruise, and yes, even a “selfie.” Life captured in small moments now displayed on a piece of paper or on a computer screen.
Our memories may fail us, but a picture endures.
They may fade, just like our memory. The image still brings all that back to the forefront of our thoughts.
As we go forward in life, celebrating Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, Christmas, Ground Hog’s Day …whatever the occasion … take the pictures, make the memories, remember the love that brought you to the place where the picture can be taken.
Celebrate life; document and cherish those who walk the path of life with you.
Those moments may never come again.
I was once told:
“We are not guaranteed another day.”
As days go by, those captured moments in time become an anchor, a life line to those wondrous memories.
So, wear out the batteries on your cameras and phones. You’ll look back on those images with joy.
~Gregory H. Thompson
May 15, 2014 @ 12:57 pm
Pictures mean so much. I lost my Dad when I was 17 and having pictures now to show my son who his Grandpa was is a blessing. Can’t wait to have them meet in heaven! Great post, shared!
May 15, 2014 @ 2:38 pm
Jamie, your comment really spoke to my heart. I lost my only sibling, my sister Pamela, 12 years ago. My youngest daughter never got to know Pamela, and my oldest daughter was only four and a half at the time. She remembers very little about her. Pictures have always been so important to me, and I cherish the precious photographs I do have of my sister. She lives on through those pictures and through the stories I tell my children about her.
May 15, 2014 @ 1:43 pm
I am thankful for people who love to take pictures. I forget to do so but my inlaws do and my kids had a blast looking at old photos.
May 15, 2014 @ 2:36 pm
Pictures are a MUST at any gathering with family and friends!
May 15, 2014 @ 2:00 pm
I always have a camera w me and my husband just says ”’ here we go”’ … He is silly… I know he likes looking back at them. Someone has to do.. I just wish I was rich enough to hire a trusted photographer at all my kid and special events.
May 15, 2014 @ 2:35 pm
I carry a camera with me, too, Aimee. When Greg visited recently, I literally took 1,032 pictures. Yes … I … did! 🙂
May 15, 2014 @ 2:24 pm
Beautiful post! I absolutely love to take photos. I will take 100 and choose one. When we capture those memories, we’ll look back and be thankful for them.
May 15, 2014 @ 2:34 pm
I am the same way, Artney!
May 15, 2014 @ 2:48 pm
Pictures are so important! I am guilty of not wanting to be in them and I need to be better about that!
May 15, 2014 @ 3:08 pm
I think we can all relate to that at times, Heidi. It’s precious memories that we’ll be leaving our loved ones with … I try to always remember that, and then I smile for the camera.
May 15, 2014 @ 5:53 pm
I take so many pictures sometimes. I really need to look back through them.
May 15, 2014 @ 6:31 pm
Thank You all for your kindness. I have what i call “random musings” i have always been a VERY amature shutterbug. But i cherish those photos.
Jamie, i lost my father many years ago. There is not a day that doesn’t go by that i don’t look at some of the photos i have of him and my mother.
Aimee, i am glad that i have my camera phone i can at least use that when i am silly and forget my “real” camera!
Artney, i couid NOT agree more TWO thumbs up!!! Hiedi, i am one that never really likes my pictures taken…but i also know that the photo isn’t for me…so yes i agree there…i need to be much better too!
Shirley, Pictures speak to our heart…that’s why we all take them !
May 15, 2014 @ 6:50 pm
Ellen
i have spent many a hour taking old photos and putting them onto disks so i never lose them. Wonderful memories come with each one i pick up.
May 15, 2014 @ 6:57 pm
Tara
i too miss many of the photo chances…and i too am grateful to those who never seem to miss them and give me copies. I have to be better at that. I try …but sometimes fail miserably. Thank goodness for the camera on my phone !
May 16, 2014 @ 5:49 am
I had never been much of a photographer until I started blogging. My sister and one of my daughter’s (a pro that does weddings, etc.) always took all the pics in the family and I always call my sister the photo queen!
Now I’m the one always taking pictures of the family and special events. Pictures are, indeed, worth a thousand words. Enjoyed your post!
May 16, 2014 @ 11:27 am
Alli, that is why I started carrying my camera as well. Bloggers can’t miss a single photo opportunity, can we? If I ever forget the camera, my phone will do in a pinch.
Greg writes wonderfully, doesn’t he? I hope he’ll continue to share his thoughts and his heart with us. It’s a blessing each time I read his words.
May 16, 2014 @ 11:39 am
Alli
I try to take bunches of pics but I also sometimes get caught up in the moment and forget all about the camera.
Thank you for your kind words.