None of the woman who has dedicated herself to making all of that happen. Not the plain mom with the swinging ponytail in yoga pants or sweaty running shorts, but the WOMAN that did all of this.
When my sons are grown, and there comes a day where reminiscing about their youth may find them searching for a picture of their mom, of the woman that was their mom, where will they find it?
As my own mom, a true baby boomer, celebrates her birthday, and has been mothering me for 42 years, I am amazed at the lessons I can still learn from her. As I scanned that picture of her as a young mom, of her just relaxing in a chair on a spring day, of her not behind the scenes of my childhood but in front of it, I realize she has left me a precious gift. The gift is not only this amazing picture, it is a lesson in picturing ME in my life. Of making a point to actually picture myself in my life.
And I will start now. And you should too.
I asked my 11-year-old son to take a picture of me today.
“Of just you?” he asked.
“Yes. Of just me. Sitting right here on my little front porch where you will remember where I liked to sit a lot.” I replied.
“Why?” He questioned me again.
“Because in 30 years, you are going to be looking for this picture, and I want you to be able to find it.” I answered.
Now it’s your turn. Go get in the picture of your life. Front and center.
***
Melissa Fenton writes at 4boysmother.com.
