As I browsed through my family snapshots there were several that brought me back to the moment or the memories that each image holds. This year marks the 31st thanksgiving our family has spent at our cabin. Each year we play cards & board games, snow machine, cook, then before our feast we huddle in and join hands and go around the room and listen to what each of us are thankful for. These images remind me of some of the small things that I’m thankful for. Remembering the first moment I watched Michael adoring our new little girl is a moment I won’t forget. Watching my dad hold my little girl as the river passes pulls at my heart strings. The tears that streamed down my Momma’s face when we told her Lael’s middle name would be Cherie after her were the sweetest tears of joy. Seeing two little cousins in the tub together brings me back to a zillion childhood memories I have with my favorite cousin and to be raising our own babies and running our business together today makes me so proud. Stepping out for a wild disco night with my shy guy in hot leather pants and an afro reminds me of how much he really does loves me. Witnessing my dad living in the moment and jumping off the cliff into the river was awesome and reminded me of the great example he has taught us that making the effort to have fun always pays off. For at least the past 6 years around this time of the year my sister and I take my nieces and nephews bowling and if this memory sticks in their little minds like some of mine with my favorite auntie they will be certain when they are grown that we went a 100 times. Taking in the sites and sounds of the kids during an all out water fight make me live vicariously through them. Watching my brother patiently fish with Lael tugging at his line and pole made me smile at how tender he’ll be with his own babies.

As I type Lael is curled up asleep on my lap which is where she can be found most mornings while I work, I wish I could keep her small enough to fit forever but for now this mental image of her so tiny will stick with me and as Michael always reminds me sometimes I need to just put the camera away and cherish the moment in full as it passes through our life. I am thankful for all the beautiful people in my family and for all the tender, silly, quiet and fleeting memories we share. For the freedom our soldiers fight to keep. The health we are gifted with. Amazing and unyielding support and love from Michael. Many unwritten blessings and most of all our faith.

Here’s to all the wonderful moments that remain forever in our memories…

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 at 3:23 pm and is filed under Just for fun. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.