Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Put Down The Camera


When I was 15 years old, I learned to ski.  My parents took me and two of my friends for a lesson.  My dad decided he would give it a try also.  I can still remember 15 year old me, giggling hysterically as my dad fell again and again.  Yes, it amused 15 year old me, but I do remember thinking it was cool that he tried.  Do you want to guess what my mom was doing while all of us took the lesson?  She was taking pictures.

I love taking pictures.  I take a ton of them.  My son's childhood will be WAY more documented than mine was.  I have a deep urge to document memories, and I hope when he is older that he will appreciate that about me.  But, let me tell you what I also hope he appreciates and remembers about me... that I tried.

I want him to remember that I wasn't afraid to get dirty, to get wet, to get hurt, to make a complete ass of myself.  I can wash my clothes.  I can get dry.  Bruises heal.  Those people thinking I look like an ass are just jealous because I AM HAVING FUN.

Fun?  Remember fun?  Kids get it.  They know that jumping in mud puddles, dancing in the rain, doing a cannonball into the deep end, and digging in the dirt is FUN.  When did we forget?  Snap a few pictures and then put down the camera and get wet.  Get dirty.  Make an ass of yourself.  Your kids will love it.  They might laugh at you outwardly, but inside they'll be thinking it's pretty cool that you tried.  Those are the memories they'll love the most, and guess what?  They'll be your favorite memories too.

3 comments:

  1. I just want to say that my mom is awesome! She was always there for me, and I love and appreciate her. Not trying to be negative about my mom here. Didn't write this to upset anyone, just to give you something to think about. : )

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  2. HA HA HA!!! I love it. I do feel like I miss out sometimes because I am always toting my camera around. For the record, I took the boys on Friday and left the camera at home!!!!

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  3. clearly, you have to try a LOT harder than i do to make an ass of yourself ;-) ;-) ;-)

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