Saturday, March 3, 2012

boys

 i've been blessed to have raised three of them. pictured below is my eldest son, kyle (in the hat). he recently spent five weeks in new zealand, with his love, vanessa and best friend jesse. they played volleyball (one on a pro tour) they surfed and they jumped off things.

kyle sent me a video, brilliantly photographed and edited by jesse, of the three of them in their adventures. the first time i saw it i gasped and wanted to look away, remembering times past. boys on the playground, climbing to the highest part of the jungle gym, 'look at me mom!'  while they balanced precariously or hung with one little arm. ackk! do you know this feeling too? you want to look, but you don't. oh the memories.

now, i've watched this video dozens of times, and even though it scares me, it thrills me. not just because of the things these kids do, but because of the joy that they do it with. i see the awe in their faces, the appreciation they have for where they are, for what they are fortunate to be able to experience. my favorite part is when they are in a blue grotto, looking up in astonishment at the cave surrounding them. but my favorite favorite is seeing my son so happy and fearless and free, loving life.
(you too vanessa darling, i saw you jump!)







kyle is in the black wetsuit (and sometimes hat), jesse in the red and vanessa in the teeny bikini. all are wearing smiles. :)

32 comments:

  1. My dearest Lori,
    that is just fantastic! It makes me want to grab my passport & suit, head to NZ and go jumping!
    I think my favorite part is just looking at how happy all three of them are as they experience this one magical life we are each given.
    Oh, my goodness, that water is such a pretty blue.
    Thank you for sharing this with the rest of us so we can watch the joy too.

    Much love.

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  2. Wow, they are brave! Beautiful scenery too!

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  3. oh my good god!!!! i am amazed at those jumps, overjoyed by those grins, astonished by the beauty (and not just the landscapes)

    i can almost feel your pride and joy, lori. (and quivers!)

    what an awesome awesome video. awesome in every way

    btw, vanessa is a doll. she and kyle look so in love


    kj

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  4. Wow!! Amazing video Lori, they are having a wonderful time, thanks for sharing.
    xo
    Linda

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  5. oh that last jump scared me! what a cool video, beautiful spot on the planet and beautiful people! your boy is gorgeous. i can understand how hard this would be to watch as his mama. i don't even want to think about my boys doing stuff like this. but, i'm sure one day they will...

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  6. I know just how you feel, Lori! I have a son who likes to live on the edge, too. After he jumped out of an airplane the first time, he said, "Now I have nothing to be afraid of." And I thought, "Oh great, more worries for me."

    But like you, I am also glad to see people trying things that are scary. It's a thrill for all of us to take risks. Maybe our sons are reminders of this for us?

    Great video! Thanks for sharing. It's always such a treat to visit your blog!

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  7. omg....cannot---CAN NOT watch the jump video!
    I think if I did that I would have an M.I. and just be a puddle when I made it back up.
    BTW~~your son is, ummm, GORGEOUS....to say the least! :-)

    XXOO~~
    Anne

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  8. Oh wow, that last jump was crazy! What a fantastic experience they've had. I've never done anything like that.....a little paddle is the most. X

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  9. Lori, how exhilarating and inspiring to see these young people living their lives so fully - embracing the awesome and spectacular. You gotta be a proud Mama! Beautiful!

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  10. Lori, how cool, thank you for sharing!

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  11. Pure Joy is what I felt watching this, and it was so well filmed I felt like I was jumping in the water too. I even called Kim in and turned on the volume and he watched it with me. A beautiful part of the world, with wonderful human beings enjoying it for all its worth!
    xx
    julie

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  12. Suicide point? or rock or whatever it was called???? YIKES -
    this was very cool but you have nerves of steel my dear - you really do. I can't even watch my nephews climbing rocks without covering my eyes and claiming that if they hurt themselves I would just KILL them!.

    But these three look like they're having so much fun, and so filled with joy - it's delightful.

    So why are they guys all dressed to kill and the adorable lady is in a skimpy bikini???? is she a bit braver?

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  13. Wow watching that video made my heart jump and I could almost taste that thrill..Now would I ever do something like that..Nnnnaaaahhh...but it's still wonderful to see the joy in their eyes and thrill in their in hearts.I agree with you,the way they looked around the cave was sooooo beautiful!! Hugs friend,Cat

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  14. Oh Lori! Hubby & I enjoyed watching the video... what a beautiful place & exciting adventures for them. Thank you for sharing with us. Very very cool!

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  15. Wow what a cool video but as a Mom it would scare the s...out of me. I am not such a hero in those things.......
    Handsome young adventurous people :) They jumped in with the camera that is amazing! And the blue water so nice!
    I bet you will be happy when they return safe and sound :)
    have a nice weekend ♥

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  16. Oh wow! My son's best friend lives out in NZ now ... he's a pro snowboarder, not a surfer, and he got into the whole extreme sports thing ... I won't pretend he hasn't injured himself badly a couple of times, but that thrill must be so awesome because he just keeps on going back there! These guys are just so amazing ... but pride and terror would be my response! And envy of their fearlessness :D

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  17. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the video! Your son and his friends look so happy loving life :)

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  18. Looks like they had a wonderful time in NZ, looks like a beautiful country.
    Found myself holding my breath watching the video and saying OMG! a lot.
    They make a very good looking/fun loving team.

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  19. Fabulous pics! They look so happy, which just brings a big smile to my face.

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  20. Lori, First let me say that I have never seen 3 such perfect human beings, they are BEAUTIFUL! And those smiles say it all. Real risk takers, made my heart stop.
    Me I take risks with paint, but you never know someday I may jump out of a plane, it has always been a dream :-).
    Thank you for sharing.
    xoxo

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  21. That is so not the same as the jungle gym! lol. Thank you so much for sharing their amazing adventure. I am sure there is more comfort in watching these videos knowing they are safe and sound. I couldn't imagine being there watching them in the act, especially the last jump!

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  22. i'm back to say my heart drops watching these thrilling jumps. you must have held your breath for five minutes the first time watching this.

    could you do this, lori? for a million dollars?

    i don't think i could

    oh jeez. incredible and quadruple awesome

    xoxo
    kj

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  23. remembering back to a time in life when i was young like this and carefree - with one big difference - i don't think i EVER would have the guts to do what these kids are doing. but as you say, lori - once you get over the queasiness of watching them step to the edge, it is glorious to see them embracing all that life has to offer. you must be so proud of your brave young man - what a beautiful peek into their journey to nz. thanks for sharing their adventure. xo

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  24. Oh yes, indeed, I am totally with you on the not looking bit with growing boys!! My policy has been to leave them to it although I have always turned my back with my fingers crossed! Now that two of my three are older and starting to head off adventuring, i too am hearing of BIG jumps and LONG climbs and I am hoping that my early plan will stand me in good stead :o)
    I am certainly not adventurous and really have troubles understanding why my boys like 'living on the edge' but my oldest always asks me to come and join them ....'you'll love it, mum!'
    Thanks for sharing, Lori - always nice to know I'm not alone xxxx

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  25. Oh my goodness! That is one amazing trip, and how awesome is that video! I got dizzy from the heights and felt my stomach drop more than a few times. And I kept thinking, whoa, they have one durable video recorder!

    I can only imagine your level of anxiety watching this. Geez, I hold my breath when my girls jump from the third step. Ha! Sooooo happy that these beautiful kids were smiling and happy throughout.

    xoxo

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  26. photography obviously runs in your family--amazing pictures and video. They are packing in a whole lot of living!!!! and loving every minute of it! thanks for sharing

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  27. lori - i totally enjoyed watching the video - only once!

    something about the editing that was way cool - they are having fun aren't they? what a concept.

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  28. I know they had a blast, but seriously, I don't have that gene, whatever it is. The Fearless Gene. I have seen it in friends of my kids, but not my own. They are doing what they love, and I think that is wonderful. And holy cow - are they all fit or what? Youth is an amazing time - I'm happy they are out enjoying it. It must have made your heart stop to watch this, though. :) Xoxo Pam

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  29. Lori, oh my goodness-we all just watched together. My kids loved it. But...suicide rock!!! AAaaah. You are a brave mom. Will this be my three big boys in a few years?

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  30. Good taste in tunes, and bikinis, and scenery. Do they want to dive wrecks next? Send 'em down here to Key West. They look like they're a fun crew to hang with!

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  31. Oh goodness! I think my stomach lurched up into my throat and down as I watched. Such brave kids!

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  32. I asked Kyle to set me up with Jesse, no such luck. No idea why, maybe you could talk some sense into him? You're a doll. -Owen

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xoxo lori