What Makes Me Happy: My Mom’s Calendars
What Makes Me Happy: My Mom’s Calendars
Happiness 7 years ago No Comments

My Mom’s Calendars

My mom is a photographer, and for the last decade or so she has been creating calendars for friends and family members as Christmas presents. They have become an annual bright spot for me (and, I suspect, for others). I’m at the point now that if I didn’t find one under the tree, its absence would put me into a bit of a holiday funk.

Why My Mom’s Calendars

The obvious answer: The photography is beautiful. From photojournalistic depictions of architectural elements and abstract studies of seemingly mundane encounters to sweeping vistas of bare landscapes and busy villages, her content and mood varies. One year’s selections might be saturated, lively, and curious, and the next’s muted, serene, and contemplative.

The practical answer: They’re helpful. For the ones she makes for family, she includes birthdays and anniversaries. Since we have a large clan, I take any help I can get keeping track of everyone.

The emotional answer: It’s two-fold.

First, the calendars chronicle my peripatetic (she taught me this word!) parents’ adventures, of which there have been many: India, Scotland, Morocco, Australia, Cambodia, Mexico, countless spots in the USA, and many more. My mom and dad have set an excellent example of the value of cultural exploration, and the calendars act as a record and reminder.

Mainly, though, the calendars simply represent her: her talent, her artist’s eye, and little slices of her long, well-lived life. I am extremely lucky to have such a treasure trove of perfectly formatted memories, and I know it.

My calendar hangs just to the left of my desk in my office, and I look at it every day.

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