Having grown up in Texas, I think it is safe to say I never expected to experience a "white Christmas."
I certainly didn't expect anything miraculously wonderful to come out of this Christmas, having just lost my grandmother only a few months before. Christmas approached and rather than feeling happiness or excitement, I was suffering from a deepening sadness. Christmas would come and go, gifts would be unwrapped, the family would get together, and whatever happiness that day brought, I predicted it would be fleeting and hollow. What is that saying... "Things happen when you least expect them"?
On Christmas Eve, we woke up to snow flakes. Little ones that melted as soon as they hit the ground. I didn't give much stock to their presence. We loaded up the car and started towards our Christmas destination. Only, the snow didn't stop. It got heavier and heavier until the ground was covered. Everything was white as far as the eye could see. The car was barely moving. Two hours later as our trip drew to an end, I was filled with... excitement. I felt like a child experiencing something brand new as we tromped through several inches of snow the night before Christmas.
I had known for months that Christmas would not be the same. We would do the same old things that used to bring comfort and warmth, but it would seem strange knowing she was gone. What I did not expect was to wake up and find a totally new Christmas. A new environment, a new experience, maybe a new beginning... I've never been quite that optimistic so it feels like a stretch. But I will recognize that there was something powerful and renewing about the whole situation.
This picture was taken only a minute after we arrived. My husband and I flew out of the car and into the snow immediately. I know the picture isn't great, but if one snapshot could capture that moment in time forever... I think this is it.
If a picture is worth a thousand words...
Then this drawing must be worth millions!
Amber, a friend of mine who also happens to be the owner of A Shade Better Than Stick Figures, was in search of inspiration. I sent her the first in a series of giraffe photos entitled "Unruly Tongue" and just look what she did with it! Beautiful.
"Unruly Tongue" is photo documentation that perhaps giraffes are not necessarily born knowing what to do with those monster tongues of theirs. Or, photo documentation of a really bored giraffe. Probably the later.
After the Dallas World aquarium, we ventured over to the Nasher for their "Free Thursdays in July" promotion. None of us had ever been, and it sounded like a fun way to spend the evening. Too bad it started raining on the way over there.
We walked around the inside of the museum, enjoying the sculptures and watching an art class sketch them for an assignment. It was a little while before it was dry enough to hang out outside and enjoy the live music and drinks.
Despite the drizzle, it was really nice. If you live in Dallas, and are looking for a nice place to chill for the evening, I would definitely check it out.
Phew, I fell behind on the picture posting because I was focusing on family and the job. But, the family is back in Holland these days and work has slowed down, which means I'll finally have time to go through some of these shots.
The Dallas Aquarium is a familiar sight for me, because I used to work just across the street. I had a membership and would spend many of my lunches taking pictures and just watching the animals. I've been there a hundred times, but it never ceases to amaze and amuse me. The place is gorgeous; they have added new sections and done a lot of renovation since I have been there.
If you click the image above, you'll go to my Flickr photostream for "Animals" and you can see of the images there. Though, I did post a few under floral as well. Disorganized in the sake of being organized... Maybe it will all make sense in the end.
