This week's Gallery theme at Tara's from Sticky Fingers is 'outside my front door'.
This tree is on a path just up the road from our village - on the walk from the now infamous viaduct. I live in West Yorkshire, a stunning, green, occasionally fantastically bleak part of the world. I never truly realised how beautiful it it was until I went away to university down in the West Midlands at 18. On my first weekend back to the People's Republic of Yorkshire, I nearly wept when I saw the glorious hills rearing up to meet me!
I love this photograph. Little O is enjoying the sense of freedom and excitement that climbing his first tree has brought. This was taken in August 2008 - I'd finished my radiotherapy two weeks previously and this was a rare sunny day that month. M and I packed a picnic and took O's bike with us and we just had a perfect family day with laughter, linked arms and snuggles and cuddles on the picnic blanket. I'd been out and about occasionally that summer, but this was the first time I'd felt anywhere near my old happy self. I love the fact that I can look back at such a difficult time for all of us and think of good things - that's the beauty of 'outside my front door'.
The joy of being able to walk out of the house and wander freely amongst these beautiful scenes is what I love about where I live. Yes, my house is too small and I would give my right arm for more space, but I wouldn't change our home if it meant leaving all this behind. Our lives are enriched by being here and I know that O will always be able to look back, remember days like this and smile.
Lovely story and GORGEOUS photo. I have so many pix of my kids doing this because I think it's almost a rite of passage, climbing a tree!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for joining in and for a great great entry x
It is a gorgeous photo, and he is a gorgeous boy!
ReplyDeleteI'm from the West Midlands, so I sympathise! It is one of the most built up places isn't it? I live in North Manchester now, good mix of city with countryside on doorstep. Great post and picture.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely photo. And a gorgeous little boy.
ReplyDeleteLovely picture - boys just love to climb trees, don't they? My 10 year old is just the same. x
ReplyDeleteThat cheeky little face peering out of the tree transmits your happiness that day :)
ReplyDeleteLovely photo :)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photo - I love climbing trees too!
ReplyDeleteHave been trying to find you on BMB to add you as a friend but to no avail.
You won my necklace! If you contact me via BMB ( you need to be a friend first)or my website, you can tell me which initials to put on it. Yay!
P.S. hope you are feeling better x
Thank you Tara, Chic Mama, Brighton Mum, Caroline, Brighton Mum, Marisworld and Heidi for your lovely comments - I am quite smiley and blushing reading them. I definitely agree about the gorgeousness of that boy in the tree as well! I will tell him that the nice computer women have been saying good things about him :D
ReplyDeleteParklover - I did not mean to dis the WM, but it was a real culture shock for me. Lots of concrete and no green bits. But when I visit Brum now, I feel the love!
Suzanne - I am feeling much better thanks, just dizziness, a bit of tiredness and headache remaining. The news of my necklace win has certainly made me gleeful - I don't know what to say! I shall find you on BMB...
Gorgeous pic and story as well, there's nothing better than a sunny day out with a picnic.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely picture and story too x
ReplyDeleteAwww this is such a cracking picture!! Oh to be a small child again climbing trees...
ReplyDeleteI don't think my wee man has ever tried that yet.
Oh, I remember those hills! I was brought up in Wakefield; my sister still lives there. There aren't many hills in Lincolnshire, though. And even fewer trees...
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