Well, I honestly say I wouldn't have done this if it hadn't been for Rebecca!! I hate pictures of myself.. but she's right. My family does need remembrances of me, to know that I wasn't gone but a part of their lives growing up. For years I've intentionally stayed out of the pictures, not liking what I saw. Vanity!! Pretty much sums it up in one word. I didn't like what was pictured, didn't like what I had become. The svelt young woman was no longer present. Yes, it hurt my pride to see that I was no longer young, thin, and in control. But you know, the Lord has been working in my heart again. I say again because it is a never-ending process! Again, because sometimes I turn away and don't let HIM work in my heart. But recently I've felt the tuggings and stirrings. LORD, you are doing a work in me, if only I step aside. It can be painful but that pain brings blessed relief! Relief in knowing that I DON'T have to be in control. Relief in knowing that GOD does have a plan and well frankly I don't NEED to see all the details. HE lets me know them as needed. It's taken a while and the process does not end with this realization.. Thankfully God is patient and I know HE will continue the process!!
Enough of my waxing philosophical. Yes, vanity is an issue in these photos. I realized I desperately need to use more mosturizer, drink more water, and pluck, pluck, pluck. Where did all that hair come from? Actually, I know... I can thank my Siciclian heritage! Thank you Grandma Rose!! Hey, its okay they are good strong eyebrows with lots of character... but I think the moustache really has to go. It's a good thing my hubby went to town today. The poor guy is going to get a phone call in a while with a list of things to pick up. But the photos you are about to see are untouched... no makeup, no touch-ups, no editing, no styled hair. The the silly, laughing, smiling me!
I hope you enjoy these brief glimses... by the way there will be more photos posted today. They will be the ones after the plucking, styling, and mosturizing (sorry but it must be done....)
PEGGY!
ReplyDeleteCan I just say I have wondered about the girl behind the name for SO long?! I am so glad to finally SEE you Peggy!
Thank you for participating in the challenge. I know it was hard for some to get out of their comfort zone but I do hope that through this, you will say "hey! That wasn't so BAD!" and it might make getting in front of the camera a little bit easier.
As much as you might complain about certain "flaws" I would almost guarantee that your children are growing up thinking of those things as lovely. Things that make you who you are. Like a big bowl of homemade macaroni and cheese. When they grow up, just thinking about certain things (that you might even hate about yourself) will draw them back to their pleasant childhood and their warm and loving mother. If you were to hide yourself as you are now, then you would be stealing some of their treasures from them. Because you ARE their treasure.
God's treasure too.
I am so happy you participated this week and look forward to the other photos you will be posting...feel free to leave another link when they are posted.
But you are lovely just the way you are. This very moment.
HI Peggy!
ReplyDeleteI have wondered what you looked like, and this is very close to what I imagined! Thanks for letting us see you!
I just looked and not one of the smiling photos were included... oops...
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean. I have struggled with appearance and self-esteem my whole life; I worked as a makeup artist for years and picked up a few tricks but still vacillate between the sentiments of "Ugh! Is this important, really?" and "I want to be as presentable as I can . . " It's a back and forth battle.
ReplyDeleteKudos to you . . . and you are lovely, btw.
Great photos, Peggy! I am self-conscious too...it is sooooooooo hard for me to take pics of myself!!
ReplyDelete(((HUGS))) I think you are beautiful! :)
Blessings,
Amy
Love this post. You are Dear and real and honest and have a beeeeeeeeeeutiful smile and all those lovely things. And you speak for so many woman, who are no longer *the same.* Who have fallen for the media line, that women are SUPPOSED to remain *the same.* Even after years of living have passed by.
ReplyDeleteWhat silly women we are, hu? To have fallen for that line?!?
But how can we be blamed, when the *nasty* media pumps pics at us, of all those just-had-baby-2-weeks-ago-and-I-look-purrrrrrfect-again gals. -hehhh- We forget the air-brushing of photos. We forget that they have money to have personal trainers, stylists, chefs, children's Nannys, etc., etc. While we live in the real world.
But we do need to take back our view of ourselves! We need to refuse to be make to feel uncomfortable, because we look as if we have lived. Yes! We do!
We are Beautiful, because we have lived!
Watch out Rebecca, you have me on a soap box here. -giggles-
Gentle hugs,
Aunt Amelia
I think you took some beautiful shots. I agree that you need to leave these and many more for posterity.. for your children and their children.
ReplyDeleteOh I am SO there with you!! I agree. And Rebecca is so right about getting more pictures of us for our kids.
ReplyDeleteOkay, so let me say I am so thankful for this foto challenge. It helped me to see that I am not alone in my self-esteem issues. It is true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and even though we often don't see the beauty in ourselves, others see it and that is the case here. I'm glad to know I'm not alone in my distaste for pics of myself. It sort of feels like therapy :) Just Kidding :)
ReplyDeleteI too have a hard time with the "me" that I see in pictures. I'm fine looking in the mirror and what not, but pictures... well... that's a different story. Thank you for sharing the real you.
ReplyDelete