Photographs and Making Memories

by unstoppablesomebody

If you asked me what I did today I would say that I made memories.   Making memories is how I spend my life. The day my daughter was born all I kept thinking was that I didn’t want to miss it. I didn’t want to  miss out on her life, not one single minute, and I wanted to make sure that I was a part of it; that she knew I was there.   I wanted the rest of my life to be made up of over-the-top unforgettable moments.

Today I got another chance to make another memory. My daughter walked out of her room beaming from ear to ear with pride, for she had dressed herself. She stood with her head high and proud and walked in way that overflowed with self-confidence. She dressed herself in all of her favorite pieces- a blue and yellow flowered long sleeve shirt with a neon green Yoshi shirt over the top, Purple polka dotted leggings, a neon pink tutu and topped it all off with a pink and purple feathered boa and pink fedora. I hope that she holds on to that five year old self confidence for as long as she can.

She pointed at me and in a very excited, matter of fact voice said “come on, Mom let’s get you dressed up fancy! We’re going out to dinner!”  How could I say no to that? How could a pass up an opportunity like this?  This may be the best dinner of my life and I’m not missing out!!!

I let her pick out my clothes. She picked out my favorite knee length skirt and my favorite old band t-shirt, she knew it was cold out so she picked out my knee high striped socks and then moved on to the shoes (the ones she plays in the most)  my red and black animal print flats with a bow.  She wasn’t done with me yet,  “you just need a little something else……”  so then I got big pink sparkly earrings, a pink feather boa, and a giant green derby hat that she made out of tissue paper.

I know most people that we ran across thought we were just out right crazy, but I stood with my head tall and I walked with pride just as my five year old did, after all, I was making a memory.

At the restaurant the younger people laughed, the middle aged people were just embarrassed and appalled, but the elderly they knew what I was doing and they smiled.  People may laugh at me all they want for the way I look, because I know they have no idea for the reason why I do what I do.

And that’s just fine with me, because today I made sure that my daughter knew that I was proud of her and the choices she made. Today she knew it was ok to be herself, like what she liked, and to be proud about it.

When I am lying on my death bed and it’s time for me to go back home, the only thing I am going to have are my memories and all that is going to be left of me when I go are the memories that people have of me. I want to try my hardest to make and leave good ones.  So if you ask me what I did today I would say I made memories.