Man, time does sure fly by fast around here. Today marks the first day of December, and the beginning of the last month of the year. Decorations and lights are up. Christmas songs are on the radio. People are hitting their nearby shopping centers to make sure they have everything they need to give. Because that's what we do, we give.
On Sunday, Chris and I roamed the streets of downtown San Francisco taking photographs of anything, and everything. I usually shy away from taking photographs of people directly because I am afraid they will yell at me. But on Sunday, I somehow mustered up some courage and took photos of a couple of people. Afterwards, I made sure to tell them that I wanted to give them the photos through email. I loved it because once those words came out of my mind, it turned into a smile on their face. It made me happy because I get to share what I love with others. Because that's what we do, we give.
In the spirit of the Holidays and giving, I want to give more than just an email with a photo. I want to make someone smile. I want the chance to give, and I want to give others a chance to give. Because that's what we do, we give.
Who knows if people will even play, but I just wanted to post this to remind myself and everyone that the Holidays aren't about receiving. But all about giving. I hope that I can bring a smile to one person's face by doing this. If not, then I'll keep trying until I do.
THE CONTEST:
The Question: If you could give one person anything in the world, what would it be? Why?
The Rules:
Leave a comment below with your answer.
Must leave your name, and an email address for contact.
Be Creative.
One entry per person.
Deadline for entries is Friday, December 4th, 2009 at 10 AM.
Must leave your name, and an email address for contact.
Be Creative.
One entry per person.
Deadline for entries is Friday, December 4th, 2009 at 10 AM.
Winner will be announced that weekend.
The prize is only open to entries from the Bay Area. Trust me, I wish I could travel all over.
But I'd still like to give something to those outside of the bay area, so I'll pick a second winner from afar and that person will receive a special prize :)
The Winner of the Contest wins a Free Photo-Session which includes:
1 to 1.5 hour session.
A disc of all high-res digital proofs including 10 images of your choice to be edited, and ready for printing.
And maybe a cupcake. Because I love cupcakes.
You can either win this session for yourself, or you can give it to someone as a gift this Christmas.
Because that is what we do, we give.
*Photos below are from Sunday.
Happy Tuesday! Happy December! and Happy Giving!
18 comments:
OK, so the question....... If you could give one person anything in the world, what would it be?
That's kind of a tough question, but surprisingly the answer came to mind rather quickly.... as you may know, I am adopted, and as you might not know, I've met my birthmom and half brother and two half sisters... each of us have different fathers but we love each other all the same, as we are of course, family... well, one of my sisters and I, we don't know our fathers, never have and probably never will... my oldest sister, however, found out who her father was, only to find out that he had been killed in a motorcycle crash not too long before. That is by far the worst thing to hear when you are someone who has been looking for their roots forever, and I can say that from experience as I continue to search for my father and have that fear... SO. If I could give anyone anything, I would give my sister back her father for a day, so she could know him, and love him, and have what my other sister and I will most likely never have. She's had a rough life and has three kids, and she would totally deserve it.
Love you Gladys! You are so cute for doing this contest
Jessica Mierau, jessica.mierau@mieraus.com
awesome idea, gladys! i so wish i lived in the bay area because i would love for you to take my photo. the photos you posted, btw, are amAZing.
If I could give any one person anything........ I would give my very very best best friend Molly the ability to walk again. 12 years ago she got in a accident which left her in a wheelchair. I love her with all my heart and wish that one day she would be able to walk again.
Love this.... can't wait to read what others write.
Mapu
Mapu@mapuanaphoto.com
Ok.... I don't live in the bay area but just wanted to enter :)
This was actually really difficult, and you really got me thinking (so thanks for that!)
I've spent a lot of time lately thinking about how blessed I am, and how many people in this world were never given the love, shelter, encouragement, etc that I was growing up. I've always known that I hope to foster parent/adopt at some point in my life, so I believe that if I could give one person anything, I would find a local Social Services case worker, and ask them to find me the MOST in-need child they can think of (abused, neglected, un-loved, or worse) and to give them the gift of my love, my home, my life. I would take that child in my arms and promise to love them as my own until the end of the earth. What gift is greater than love? I do hope to actually give this exact gift to someone someday, but until such a time as I am prepared to take on a second child, I will just pray for the children out there who don't have parents who encourage them, love them, provide for them, or even hug them. Okay, so that's it.
I don't live near you, so if for some reason I win, I would really appreciate it if you could find the most deserving person you can think of and give my session to them. Thanks for doing this! You've inspired me to do the same.
What could I give one person anything in the world? A photoshoot with Gladys, duh!
Louis
louisxngo@gmail.com
Ok Glady! If you could give one person anything in the world, what would it be?
I would buy my mom the home of her dreams and pay all her bills, the reason why is because she gave my life and she did everything she could being a single mom so I could have a good life growing up and be a good woman, a good wife, a good daughter and sister. I miss her so much and as you know she is back in Brazil and I hope to see her next year. I love her so much and if I could I would give her the world.
Love you Glady.
Silvia McLeod (silvinha_a@yahoo.com.br)
I would give my parents a much deserved break from the day-to-day duties they have in their lives. My mom gives a lot of her time and resources to be with my grandma. And my dad is often there to help as well. I know how much they love Italy and would probably like to go again, but present obligations probably hinder that. So, I would give my parents a trip to Italy complete with dog watching, grandma care, and house sitting.
I love what you're doing, baby!
Chris
allen.topher@gmail.com
I would like to say the typical answer of World Peace, but that's something you can't give one person. I would also like to say a brand new life to a deserving person who has been in terrible turmoil or abuse but that isn't possible either.
No, I think for my final answer, I would have to say that if I could give one person anything in the world, it would be LOVE.
There isn't anything more gentle that can turn someone's world around than LOVE. Nothing more simple that can bring peace to someone's life than LOVE.
And nothing more genuine through a smile, a hug, laughter, shedding a tear with someone in need, or even a pure expression of kindness because of LOVE.
The great thing about you arising the questions is in thinking about this, I realize that I can give LOVE everyday to everyone I come in contact with. Every friend I talk to, my sister who I miss dearly, or a stranger on the street who just needs a smile.
"All we need is LOVE", it's what we do, we LOVE! :)
Because isn't that what everyone ultimately wants in life...to be loved. If someone can give that to another person that is the greatest gift to give. Sometimes people do it with hesitance because of the fear of being vulnerable. Others may do it in hopes to get something in return. Those that love and I mean genuinely love others are the most selfless people who are willing to give the greatest part of themselves.
LOVE IS A GIFT
Love YOU Gladys Jem!
Uzi
kristyuzelac (at) gmail (dot) com
i'd give every cancer survivor (especially my mom) the guarantee that the nasty disease will never come back, on the condition of living each day with drive and love and determination that it could.
I would give my mother a cure for MS (multiple sclerosis). She has been living with and suffering from this diease for many years. She is also a nurse. When she's not sick she works at the hospital treating others. He patients never know that she is sick too. I would love a chance to cure her so she can continue the work she loves, which helping others.
GLADYS!
the question:
"If you could give one person anything in the world, what would it be?..."
My answer: (sidenote) i thought about this question a lot really, while driving in my car, in class, when I couldn't sleep. At first it was because I was itchin' for a photo sess and some QT with you and your sis, (then again I probably will end up booking an appointment with you after the craziness of school dies down.) but it evolved into something more. I believe a liitle bit of the HOLIDAY SPIRIT grows inside of us once this time of the year kicks in...
so, to sum it all up. I'd give YOU (anyone, everyone) a second chance...because no one is perfect, but we can try and get there.
xo
Gail
g_terrado79@yahoo.com
Hi Gladys :)
My name is Marisol and I write this all the way from deep, deep, deep South Texas :)
I came across your blog and although I am no where near California felt like leaving a comment :)
What would I give one person in the world?... My heart, love, and devotion... which I try to practice everyday. I truly love people and giving whatever I can to help them out. Whether it's a meal, a hug, or a simply hello to brighten their day. I love the world and I wish I could share happiness with more and more people throughout theworld :)
I think that's why I love photography... when i look at photographs it makes me happy :) so i want to capture the best image of whatever catches my attention to make others feel the same :)
weird, huh?
Best wishes with your photography!!!
so even though i don't live in the bay area -- i am going to leave an answer. i love your contest, gladys, and i can't get the question out of my mind -- i'm constantly thinking about it now.
i would give my mom her dream job. she had 4 kids by the time she was 26 years old, and she really gave up a lot in order to raise us and stay home with us. she worked only as a stay-at-home-mom until all of us were out of the house. crazy!
now she is in nursing school at 48 years old. i can't imagine returning to school at age 48 for the first time since being in high school. i know it's a struggle for her and yet she has a deeply planted desire to be a nurse and help others.
she graduates this coming may, and all i want is for her to be working in the leading hospital in the state -- i know she'd be great. and happy. and finally feeling fulfilled by something outside of her home life. finally getting to live HER dream.
What a great blog. Just to simply pose the question on what is one thing we could give has given everyone an opportunity to think beyond themselves. You've just given a gift to every reader. Even those that don't make a comment, I know it's a question that takes deep contemplation and has been in the back of my mind for days now. If I could, I love them all but something about what Uzi said is so simple and humbling. So honest and beautiful. I hope to love like she does. I hope to receive the kind of love is sounds like she is able to give. What a great holiday it is. Thanks, A reader in Cali
If I could give one person anything in the world I would give my only sister time. She died in a horrible car accident on February 2, 2002, she was only 18. I would give her time to live the life she should have had. By giving her more time in this world she would give my mother happiness to see her grow into a beautiful woman, to see her become the person she should have been. My sister would give me the lessons I should have learned from her mistakes. She would give me the love only a sister can give you. She would give her time in the Marines, she had the courage to save and protect those she loved. To all her friends who loved and adored her would have the pleasure of having her by their side. You see by giving someone life or more time to live they too can give to others as I would give to her the time that was stolen from her.
If I could give one person anything, what would it be?
Wow, this is tough because I want to give a lot of people a lot of things. I'm a giver, it's my personality but for today, right at this moment my answer would have to be...I would give my husband and hug and kiss right now. We got into a small fight over something silly and he left this morning without kissing me and telling me he loves me. Very unusual for us. We make ourselves do it even when we don't want to. And he didn't. I don't want to do it after that so it's probably one of the hardest things I could give at the moment. So, although small it's hard to bring myself to do it so I wish I could give him that and get back to loving him :)
"If you could give one person anything in the world, what would it be and why?"...
This is my second draft. My first draft seemed long, so I just wanted to keep it short and sweet.
One thing I would give is for my mom to find LOVE and finally to able to have someone by her side. Its always been just me and my mom and she's never had a true companion. Everyone says their parents deserve the best, and of course everyone does! But my mom has been through very tough times, but still comes out as a soldier in the end. She is my inspiration and I just want to give her true LOVE and happiness she deserves. Being surrounded with LOVE and FAMILY is the number thing I want to give to her.
"To love is to place our happiness in the happiness of another" -- Gottfriend Willhelm Von Leibniz
thank you everyone for your responses. you're all great! xoxo
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