It is Christmas Eve, and while the rest of my family goes on an emergency shopping trip for last minute goodies, I have a few minutes to reflect on 2016.

All over social media I see where the collective evaluation of the year is that is was horrible, and that people are happy to see it go, in hopes that 2017 will bring bigger and better things.

Part of that is fair, I am always one to look forward to blessings that await me, but I also value looking back, and finding the hidden treasures of the times that have passed me by.

When my children were little, as I tucked them into bed, I always asked them, “What was the best part of this day?”

The idea was, that even on the worst days, good things happen within them, and we will be happier and more grateful people if we train our eyes to see them, and appreciate those sometimes subtle gifts.

So as we bring 2016 to a close, and as a family, the Portelas and Jacksons open their gifts this Christmas, I want to share with you the reasons I am thankful for 2016.  Here at LPJ Photography, it was a year of extreme growth, and I am awed and humbled by the people who trusted me, and gave a largely unknown photographer the chance to express her creativity, and capture big and small moments of their year.  I appreciate you all, and I count you as the “best part of this year.”

Bring on 2017.

See the video slideshow featuring some of the photos from this post and others here.

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