Last Thursday, Valentine’s Day, my wife and I went to dinner with friends and then to DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center, to see the musical “Mary Poppins”.  It was a wonderful evening.  During the show, Bert, the chimneysweep, sang a part in the song “A Man Has Dreams” which stood out to me.  Following are the lyrics:

You're a man of 'igh position

 Esteemed by your peers

And when your little tykes are cryin'

You 'aven't time to dry their tears

And see them grateful little faces

Smilin' up at you

Because their dad, 'e always knows

Just what to do

You've got to grind, grind, grind

At that grindstone

Though child'ood slips like sand through a sieve

And all too soon they've up grown

And then they've flown

And it's too late for you to give

Just that spoonful of sugar

To 'elp the medicine go down

The medicine go down, the medicine go down.

How fortunate I am to have realized this when my children were young!  I chose to quit “grinding at that grindstone” by no longer doing weddings on weekends, and focused on portraiture, so I could spend more time with them and share in their lives as they grew up. I also took the time to create their portraits every year.  How wonderful it is to look at these portraits and watch them grow up! 

So, where is this going?  Well, no matter what your station is in life, it is never too late to stop and have a portrait made.  Whether you choose someone that will just give you a “CD” of images or me to create a piece of art for your home.  Just do it.  Remember what Bert said . . .

child'ood slips like sand through a sieve

And all too soon they've up grown

And then they've flown

And it's too late for you . . .

I photographed these portraits of my daughter, Anna, in 1978, and my son, William IV, in 1983. These portraits preserve amazing memories for myself and my family.