May 1

This picture --which was taken about 15 years ago-- hangs on a wall in the first floor of our house. It's in a well-traveled location, so I pass it numerous times each day, and every now and then I stop and take a close look at who we all used to be.

It's a snapshot of what feels like an entire lifetime ago, with baby Brady and grumpy Isaac and little girl Abby. And, of course, Logan wearing a tired yet resilient version of his signature grin. That's part of why I love this picture as much as I do despite its obvious "flaws" -- he's in it. The six of us are all together. There aren't a lot of photos of our entire family in existence and there will never be a new one, so I treasure the ones I do have.

So tonight, as I think back on and give thanks for what was and look forward and give thanks for whatever will be, I am grateful to God for the gift of photography. Because during this phase of my life, I definitely need pictures to help me remember the details.