Get in the picture because the people who are asking you to do it love you and they are trying to tell you that you matter and that they want to remember you right here, right now.
Get in the picture because that moment is worth capturing and you are a part of that moment.
Get in the picture because no one who loves you even remotely cares about your weight, your pimple, your roots that need to be touched up or the dark circles under your eyes that only you notice anyway.
Get in the picture because honestly, the picture isn’t for you and it isn’t for now, though if it makes you smile, that’s nice too. It’s your gift to the ones who are still around after you are not. It will heal their heart on the dark days and get them through the moments when your presence is missed so deeply that it hurts.
Get in the picture because no one in the history of the world ever said, “I wish I had less pictures of those people that I love. I sure do get tired of looking at them.”
Get in the picture because none of us know how many days we have left or how many more pictures we will be lucky enough to be in.
Exactly one year later, the mischief maker in the back row planting a smooch on his friend is missed more than any words could capture. He never missed a chance to have a good time and he never missed a chance to get in the picture and for that, I am so grateful.
–Sea Girt Beach, NJ…..Maybe 1979 or 1980? The little one in the Florida t-shirt is yours truly.
.jpg)