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That picture is worth at least 1000 words, right? Taken 37 (give or take) years ago on a vacation this picture captures our boys in an authentic moment of Micah probably teasing Aaron relentlessly. The smile on Aaron’s face is pure joy even though I don’t really remember what the exchange was. The fishing rod poised to catch a fish, the matching outfits that I sewed, the whole picture just takes me back. Even though I don’t really remember the exchange or even the place that we stayed on this vacation, it is pictures like this that make me smile and long for a do – over of some of those younger years.
What would I do differently? I always say that I would not change my life. I have lived a good life filled with a lot of great adventures and plenty of love surrounding me. But if I am honest there are a few things that I would do differently and most of them have to do with being a mother.
I wish I had kept better track of things that happened as the boys were growing up. I wish I had recorded more things in written form so that when my memory fades about a time frame I would have that to fall back on. I wish I had labeled pictures better. I really wish that one.
I wish I would have not been so serious about some things — allowed myself to let the worries go by the wayside and allow myself to know at my younger age that things will always work out and that it will all be okay.
I wish I had been able to spend more time with my family and to have our boys know their grandparents and great grandparents just a. little bit better. We did what we could given distances between us but I really do wish there had just been more time.
When it boils down to it that is probably the biggest wish. That I had more time with the boys. I know, I know. We raise them to be independent and to grow up and be wonderful individuals in their own right but once that happens, it is sometimes bittersweet. Because I run across a picture like the one above and I miss those little sweaty boys and their sweaty bodies snuggled up next to me after a long day of play. I miss reading one more book at night. I miss going to their sports games. I miss tucking them in at night. I miss it all.
What, if anything, do you miss about your younger days? Am I the only one feeling nostalgic today? It’s all because I moved some photo albums and took a peek inside. What about you?
