“The ability to have a choice in what you do is a privilege.”
― Anton Yelchin
This week the Lens-Artists photo challenge theme is “You Choose”. What a marvelous thing, to be able to make choices, little choices and big choices. Around this season, I am mindful of the choices I have: not just “paper or plastic?” when I choose to shop, but also how and what I choose to celebrate. Expanding that mindfulness, I am grateful that my family and I have been able to exercise our choices in who to love, whether to marry and whether to stay married.
“We are our choices.”
― Jean-Paul Sartre
I am also grateful that I’ve had a choice in where to live and where to raise my children. My husband and I made a choice to leave Southern California and raise our four kids in the Midwest.
And then I was able to make the choice to leave the Midwest and follow my grown-up children to Oregon…in my chosen hybrid vehicle.
Choices always have consequences, so they can be very difficult to make. They can often be very tricky to undo. Do you really want that tattoo? (My daughters definitely did want matching SisterCats tattoos.)
Sometimes being able to make a choice to do something can feel very empowering, especially when it feels like your cause is hopeless. Choosing to fund research on a currently incurable disease or plant a tree, for example, is a step in a good direction.
Choosing to help others, or to help animals, live happy, healthy lives is a choice that can bring joy and spread love.
I have much to be grateful for in the freedom to make my own choices. I am grateful that my children have been able to make their own, different choices as well. That is certainly something to celebrate!
scillagrace 
Lovely post. 🙂 Your family always looks so happy and cheerful and content. Nice to see. Yes, being able to choose is a privilege. All well to all of you.
Thanks so much, Manja!
Nice choice. Happy times. Good to see that
Thanks!
A wonderful “choice” for the week Priscilla – I loved how you turned the word into the subject! Your family looks so happy and joyful. Good for you for being the rock on which they can lean and depend. Wishing you all a joyful holiday season filled with love – clearly you’ve cornered the market on it!
Thanks, Tina! I have to say the market is still wide open and available to all. 🙂
Lovely photo gallery of choice couples! The shot of the kids in their snowsuits playing in the snow is priceless.
Thanks, Lindy! I am glad I caught my kids playing so well together in the snow at that precious age. It seems so very long ago!
Great selections! I love the Sartre quote. So true.
Thanks, John!
Amazing post Priscilla and amazing choices.
Thanks, Anne!
😊
I love your choice to focus on choice! Wonderful, Priscilla. You always infuse your post with wonderful real-life experience and wisdom. I really appreciate that. Your daughters’ sister tattoos are wonderful!
Thanks, Patti! My son found out about the tats and wanted his first to be shared with his sisters, too, so they are designing another to share. I love that they celebrate their connection so enthusiastically!
Your choices make you who you are…I see smiling faces and happy memories, I guess that is all that matters.Lovely post.
Thanks! My choices seem to be all about strengthening my family. That’s who I am!
Choice – a great idea to use choice as the choice. And you have much to be grateful for as you say. I often think about how we can choose freely so many things…because we were born in a country whose government allows us to be free. We belong to the lucky ones in that respect. Love your always happy family!
Thanks, Ann-Christine. Yes, we are indeed lucky and privileged. Now we need to stand up for the not-so-lucky ones.
A beautiful post, Priscilla, and a wonderful family!
Thanks, Sylvia!
Priscilla..Many thanks for giving me another glance at my beloved sister: one of God’s best creations. Love, Aunt Sandy
My pleasure! She is, indeed. Sending love ❤
A beautiful rainbow family xx
❤ Thanks, Helen!