Monday morning we woke beneath an unexpectedly chilly blanket of snow and a body of fog that sat nestled just off the shore. Andy and I got up early to try to find any relief options for small business owners. With no luck, we returned home. I needed a mental break from the suffocating anxiety, so I packed up Winston and we headed to the beach, knowing with the new snow, it would be peacefully barren and the perfect playground to play on.
Seeming to know I needed a chance to recharge, the lake reflected calmness with it’s blue gray colors blending into the fog above it. The water breathed gently on the sandy beach, barely rolling waves up and around our feet. As I dropped the weight of the world and breathed in the fresh air, Winston let loose. If was if somebody had sent a bolt of electricity through him and released all of the wild zoomies cooped up inside.
He ran lickety-split, back and forth, up and down the beach, as fast as his stubby legs could carry him. The only thing that slowed him down was the giant cheesy smile, plastered from one big ear to the other. Run, run, run! Dig, dig, dig! Spin around, run, dig, run, run, dig, run, dig. He needed this escape just as much as I did.
I plunked myself down in the sand to soak up the happiness that resulted in the silly dog turned wild animal. When he finally slowed to a stop, he yawned, releasing his own pent up stress, and gave a little howl. He looked at me smiling, gave my face a wet sandy snuffle, and then spun on his heels to run zig-zagging down the beach again.
As we walked, I found the weight of the world continued to sneak up behind us. It sucked me down into a heap, forcing me to sit on the sand and focus my energy on the gentle waves, attempting to clear my mind. Winston, the good kid he is, kept coming over to check on me, wiggling his way in-between my legs, climbing on my lap and smiling. Despite his barely confined energy and visibly controlling his urge to be wild child, he allowed me to wrap my arms around him. He let me smother him in soft kisses and hug him like a little girl loves on her well worn teddy bear.
Winston doesn’t usually bother with sticks. UNLESS I pick it up and make it seem like it’s the coolest thing since sliced bread!! It never lasts long though. He loves to jump on and nose punch his toys listening to them squeak in retaliation, and he when his herding instincts kick in, he loves to chase things. But sticks don’t squeak and they don’t run away. It was fun to see him get excited over a silly stick for a few minutes, his crazy eyes rolling and his big ears flopping around uncontrolled in the brief excitement. Then after another few tosses of the stick, he trotted after it, stopped, and observed as the waves roll up, and with the stick in it’s watery grip, it slunk back into the lake, taking Winston’s temporary toy with it. Seeming to shrug, Winston continued trotting down the beach to snuffle the tumbleweeds of beach grass, unfazed by the loss of his toy.
“Throw the stick Mama! Watch me be faster then the stick!”
Just as we seemed to forget the woes of the world, my phone buzzed. It was Andy, calling us home after the Governor announced the Stay at Home Lockdown. It brought another wave of tears and anxiety. I was overwhelmed with the feeling of hopelessness and it broke my heart as we walked back to the car, not wanting to say goodbye to our happy place. Even Winston stopped and took one last look before clumsily clambering up into the car.
I know we will get through this, as a family and as a country, but right now, I am living from one happy moment to another, always searching for more positivity. Thankfully, I have a smiling teddy bear to search along with me, and when I doubt the world, I can squish him into a hug, smooch his fuzzy cheeks, and find a smile again. <3
If you would wish to help support my small business and insure that I can keep my doors open after the pandemic, here are a few ideas.
SCHEDULE A SESSION FOR LATER IN THE YEAR
I only require $100 non-refundable deposit to hold your date in my calendar. This amount goes toward your total investment, due by the day of your photoshoot. If you wish to pay in full now, that option is always available too!
View session details HERE. View the Special Offers HERE.
PURCHASE A GIFT CARD
Gift cards are available up to a $600 value, and can be used toward a later date session, or past or future fine art prints, products, or albums, or mentoring sessions. Please contact me to purchase your gift card.
REFER A FRIEND
Did you know I have a referral program?! If your friend or family member mentions your name while booking your session, YOU get rewarded! Dollar credit toward your next session, prints, or digital images are gifted back to you for each family or friend you refer to books and keeps their session.
BE MENTORED BY J.KLEIN PHOTOS
Mentorships are customized to your individual interests and needs in learning about photography and what drives a successful photography business. All topics are available for discussion including camera equipment, how to photograph animals, people and weddings, best lighting, poses and secrets behind capturing authentic moments, marketing, editing, and more!
Mentorships begin at $100 and until the pandemic passes, will be completed through video chat.
View mentorship details HERE.
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