Lake Atitlan, Panajachel, Guatemala

Monday, August 15, 2011

Happiness and Misery


Can you have one without the other? Joy and Pain forever walking side by side through life.




These two however, Travis and Jessica, are obviously feeling pure joy. Aren't they adorable?

While his younger brother, the last one left at home, is so very sad. "I have lost my best friend," he kept saying throughout the day.

I am trying to forget all the things that went wrong. The sun that beat down on us during the wedding luncheon. One p.m. on an August day, temperatures in the 90's, no shade in our side garden. Someone forgot about getting canopies to put over the tables. Ooops!!

The planned-for family portrait that looks more like the shot of a Glee Club than a family, because Dad and a few of the boys forgot to wear their suit coats. It was supposed to be white shirts, turquoise ties, and at least three of them wearing dark jackets, most especially Dad!

Hello?? Why did I not think to look around me and check for the dark jackets??? The Glee Club pianist My daughter is wearing her black top, where are the matching jackets on her brothers? Ooops!! And the Glee Club secretary my other daughter forgot her shoes. Ooops!!



But does this crowd care? No, of course not. All they really care about is having fun and being goofy. Never mind the formal family portrait that Mom wants. Because the last time the family was all together and did a professional portrait was in 1998, when the newlywed groom was nine years old.



Never mind. I'll get over it. Sigh.





Then there is the couple at the center of the celebration. Oblivious. Clearly, they did not notice a thing amiss.

For them, it was a day of perfect joy.






37 comments:

  1. What a fun looking bunch. I like it when things refuse to go as planned. It's like life saying to us - ha! Plan what you will and I'll do as I will.

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  2. what fun. sometimes it's hard to let go of our plans and just go with the flow. maybe i'll figure out how to do that this year. i've already had plenty of opportunities and there will be many more.

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  3. Looks like it was a lovely day :) The little imperfections are what make memories!

    Wishing the couple a long and happy marriage :)

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  4. Aw looks great! That second family shot is brilliant! Love it!

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  5. I love the second most-informal family portrait. It's perfect because it has personality.

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  6. What wonderful pictures! I especially liked the bride's dress. My favorite picture is the funny pose one, because it's nice to see a family that can laugh together.

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  7. Congratulations! It looks like it was a wonderful day despite the little glitches here and there. And as you said, the bride and groom will remember only happiness when they think back to their day.

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  8. Blessings and Bear hugs to the Bride and Groom. As for the rest, they appear to be doing just fine!
    And then there's the mom. She'll recover; I'm sure.

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  9. Hey, they all look good in their white shirts and blue ties! And with jackets, half of the wedding party would've melted.

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  10. Congratulations! And I think the pictures are perfect just as they are. "Formal" photographs simply don't capture the personality of the people as well. (Unless the photographer is Annie Liebowitz) When my hubby and I got married (back in the dark ages) I opted not to hire a photographer, but the informal shots we have a priceless.

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  11. Awwwwww CONGRATULATIONS!! And yay for a most perfect and memorable wedding!! Beautiful bride and handsome groom!! I especially love the penultimate candid and very happy pic of all of you!! Yay! Take care
    x

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  12. Love the pics! It gets harder and harder to get family pics as everyone gets older. This one may not be perfect, but you captured the moment very well.

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  13. Awww. It looks positively lovely -- you can just see the joy. :)

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  14. Nothing about these photos say misery to me! Congratulations! You have a beautiful family :-)

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  15. Those little snafus like forgotten jackets are what will make it so memorable in years to come. Looks like it was a great day! (and yes, misery is needed to make us appreciate the good)

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  16. Even pure happiness can cause a twinge of sadness somewhere. Congrats to the happy couple!

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  17. It's not a real wedding unless something goes wrong! As long as the couple both said "I do," then consider it a success.

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  18. Beautiful pictures! The best part about a wedding day is that even though things go wrong, at the end of the day the couple still end up married.

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  19. Things may not have gone perfectly, but the memories of those things will make the event legend in your family history. It really does look like a fun bunch.
    Great post Karen...

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  20. Congratulations!

    Great pictures--it looks like it was a wonderful day. :)

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  21. Aw, I really love this. I guess things aren't ever supposed to go perfect in a wedding, so you kept with the program! But great pics of a beautiful family. Congrats!

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  22. Great pictures!! What a beautiful family!!

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  23. What gorgeous pictures, Karen. Congrats to you and the happy couple. I love the Glee references.

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  24. Lovely family photos. Congratulations! (I loved the bare feet!)

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  25. You have a great family, and those photos are fantastic, regardless of what anyone is wearing. Glad the day went off well for the happy couple!

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  26. lol Gorgeous photos. You have a beautiful family.

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  27. Beautiful photos and wonderful memories no matter what. Best wishes to the happy couple and a hug for Mom on another baby growing up. :)

    Mason
    Thoughts in Progress
    Freelance Editing By Mason

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  28. Yay! How wonderful. Looks like everyone is having fun--even lonely little brother.

    love the last one~ :o) <3

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  29. Hi Karen .. such fun - and who worries .. just a perfect day for Travis and Jessica .. lovely seeing you all together .. and hearing your stories .. Great family - cheers Hilary

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  30. What a beautiful day! I just love it. I can't believe you have ten children. My hat goes off to you. Have a great week.

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  31. Congratulations to the happy couple!

    How could you possibly expect a serious family photo? You silly mommy!

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  32. Sounds like a perfect day!

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  33. What a happy post! Congrats! Loved all the pics - - what beautiful and fun memories!! :-)

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  34. I think the photos are gorgeous! You can see the love and happiness in every shot!

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  35. Enjoyed the photos of the wedding. We always want it perfect, don't we, but life is not perfect. The photos show a loving family who is comfortable and happy. Cheers to them!

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  36. How wonderful. So romantic and the very special having the family together.

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Comments are welcome!