Unlike Leonardo’s famous lady who spends all her time in the Louvre in Paris, never changes her expression and has been studied by generations of art critics, the picture that I turned my attention to was hastily taken on an iPhone on Christmas Day 2023.
It wasn’t supposed to be an iPhone, it was meant to be composed by a professional photographer, and all 21 of us were to have decided on a color combination so we could present a dignified yet playful attitude to be snapped and preserved for our family. For some reason that is a tall order for our assembled group, and it didn’t happen.
Here are the facts. Christmas morning rituals happily took place, and then a walk on the beach was proposed. The two-block walk then took place; some children refused to wear coats, were unhappily pried from new toys; a few siblings poked and teased one another, until an adult imposed peace.
Then, we were there! All 21 of us, miracle of miracles, in one place. Quickly a camera, an iPhone, was unpocketed, rowdy teens and small people were lined up for a CHRISTMAS FAMILY PHOTO.
The lineup didn’t hold because there was no kind stranger to act as Photographer. Twenty minutes later, with the help of an orange safety cone, a hefty tree branch and some crafty placement, the camera was set on timer and, voilà, a picture for the ages for this grandmother and grandfather.
It’s not a mystery to me who those people are (unlike the Mona Lisa, whose actual identity is still disputed). I know and love every closed-eyed smile, every shy or confident look, nobody matches. Cora, the youngest, has a combination of “Frozen” (Elsa) costume, a magic wand and a farm-girl dress.
Family groupings are not together. Yet, there we proud grandparents stand in the middle of all this glorious riot of humanity, possibility, love, uncertainty, and count our blessings. How can one not love it, all the pain, joy, commitment and endurance necessary to come together as one family.
The Halls consist of one wife from Argentina, adopted children from Russia and the bayous of Louisiana, a New Englander, one mixed-race child, two men from the Midwest, a New Mexican and a Southerner.
Personalities and beliefs, temperament and occupations, there is enough variety to confound any classification.
Families! What a lovely institution, go find yours this Christmas and let them know they are more cherished than Leonardo’s famous lady.
