I think the word alone can have a tendency to have a negative connotation, because sometimes people experience alone in the ways of sadness, loneliness, and/or rejection.  There was a time in my life where alone was isolation and neglect–which was part of my normal.  And even with those feelings dominating my young existence, being alone provided a chance to create and become a dreamer as a means of escape.  Now that I’m an adult and more specifically a mother, I can’t remember feeling such a way in years for which I am truly thankful.  Now I think of it in terms such as solitude and peacefulness.  Alone still provides the chance to create and dream, but now it’s in lovely ways–beautiful life-giving ways.  It brings such joy to see this in my daughter Eva as well.  Though we keep busy with extra-curricular activities and many friends, Eva enjoys her alone time and is always using it towards some creative endeavor or just to think.  I love seeing her active mind figuring out the world piece by piece in her own special ways.
Today she took her after-school smoothie outside to enjoy the last bit of warm we will have for the year and play with her paper creations.  I loved seeing the way the light was illuminating her as I watched from our kitchen and decided to quietly interrupt for a few captured images.  I am hoping in way that she will always keep a piece of this for herself because it is truly magical to behold.
I’m thrilled as always to see what my lovely 52 Wednesdays friends have come up with this week!  Next in the circle is Carrie Hyche of Heart of the West Photography in Wheatland, Wyoming.  You can find her post here:  ttp://www.heartofthewest.blogspot.com/2012/09/52-wednesdays-week-38.html
Marla, I love your images of this special alone time. There really is something so magical when children play alone.
i love that you interpreted this from a positive view…how being alone can be creatively magical – that resonates in both images and i am mad about the light in them.
these are so warm and gorgeous. such a thoughtful and careful and gentle way to look at her, to know her, and remember the connections you share. i understand the different alones you know. i still feel it in good and bad ways. but the way you literally illuminate her, the concept, is really peaceful and full of inspiration.
Always amazing Marla. The first one is one that I would have printed LARGE. Love it – the colors, her profile, the flare and of course, that amazing light. I adore her creativity – comes certainly from her mama 😉
These are both so real, yet dreamy. A contradiction. I love these kind of photos so much.
This week i really struggled with the concept “alone”. Everytime i thought of the word, i felt sadness and was so uninspired by the word. So I really appreciate your sentiments that it is an opportunity to create and dream and that it can be beautiful also. These photos are beautiful, the gorgeous light, and that rainbow sunflare (WOW)…beautiful work!
I love your words here Marla. Life brings us such peaks and valleys. Alone for me used to feel so sad. Now it feels precious and good, healthy. The colors, sun, and creativity all convey goodness. I love these.