It takes just one picture.
A single picture that perfectly captures the beauty of my family.
This picture explains the dynamic of who we are.
It is a single picture that grasps thousands of memories.
The memorable moments of smiles, and our growth of happiness.
This is my favorite picture that was taken 16 years ago. My siblings, cousins and I gathered together with smiles and silly faces as we celebrate my late grandmother’s birthday.
I remember that summer evening in 2008, getting ready for her birthday as another holiday. I threw on my favorite pink dress because this day was meant to be one of my favorites.
It was an evening where everyone could walk from one street to the next to spend time at my grandmother’s house. A house that became a home for many. Listening and singing along to our favorite Haitian music while we danced to the beat. We shared photos that were taken with different familial faces on the latest Kodak camera. In every picture, I had a BIG smile on my face. Those were the moments of childlike happiness and the feeling of peace. It was then that I knew that nothing else mattered but being here with my family.
That picture represents more than just a happy moment; it’s the heart of how we express love in my family. It is a visual reminder of the love we’ve shared through the years. The same love that is expressed through celebration, laughter, and acts of service. From birthdays to simple gatherings, we have always found ways to show love through togetherness and care for one another. It has become the foundation of my understanding of what love is and how it can be shown in the simplest yet most meaningful of ways.