Somewhere through the misty shadows of the last three-plus decades of my married life, I see pictures and videos playing out through my mind. Perhaps it’s like the days of old when my parents and grandparents would break out a slide projector, or reel to reel movie projector; the bright light on the white backdrop allowing my sisters and me to make silhouetted figures with our hands.
The pictures in my mind are fleeting though, and it’s difficult for me to focus on them before they change and move forward onto the next one. Why can’t we slow them down, and allow me to see the details, and recognize where and when it was taken? I’m not sure who’s in charge of the timing of the slides, but I’m pretty sure that I don’t like the speed of the transitions.
Even so, I am fortunate that I can grasp onto snippets of those fleeting scenes. Some of the pictures are of Cindy and me finishing college, preparing for a wedding, and student teaching. We were the last ones to leave our reception, after visiting with friends and family all afternoon, and then we enjoyed a honeymoon at a cabin tucked away in Northern Michigan’s Northwoods under a deep blanket of freshly fallen snow. Some of the pictures are from our early years of teaching and coaching when we were only slightly older than the kids themselves. Those were special times; the students and staff were close.
I remember excerpts of scenes when we wanted children of our own, couldn’t have children of our own, and then by some miracle were blessed with children of our own; two children to be exact. A family for Cindy and me, with Todd and Jodi.
At that point, the mental snapshots exponentially explode into a bazillion shards of memories. Name a topic, and I’ve got a story full of pictures that include laughter, tears, silence, and heart-warming smiles. They are topics of visuals such as parties, lessons learned, vacations, playgrounds, swimming, toys, and snow. Of course you can’t forget classrooms, camping, friends, hobbies, sports, pets, meals, jobs, holidays, and graduations.
And now as the slides and videos run rampant; strewing pictures and film across the floor of the editing room in my brain’s audio/visual department, I reach forward and hit the pause button. The picture frozen on the screen is one from a week ago. It’s a picture of my son’s wedding. He’s smiling and holding onto his beautiful, and talented wife. Pictures of friends and family with whom we shared this day spiral, swirl, and spin. Familiar bonds meld with new acquaintances; the blending of worlds. Somehow the sound continues to play and I hear again the speeches spoken, and the words used to describe our son and daughter-in-law. Mentioned are character traits fueled by a spiritual commonality; love, integrity, honesty, and inclusion are a few of the qualities that each possess. Enough is said from the mouths of the various close friends, that it is truth spoken from the heart; truth that makes a parent proud and easily forget the tough times. Or perhaps it’s enough to reflect and feel that the tough times, in conjunction with the great ones, were all well worth it to lead up to this particular time; the wedding day and the marriage of Todd and Emeris. It’s a clear picture in the misty shadows of my mind.
See you along The Way...
 |
| Mother-Son Dance With Cindy & Todd |
 |
| Cindy With Jodi Who Was A Bridesmaid |
 |
| Emeris & Todd Courtesy of "Fine Detailed Photography" |
 |
| Courtesy of "Fine Detailed Photography" |
 |
| A Proud Dad Taking It All In |
