Behind the Scenes

There are moments when I’m sure time is moving faster than before. That somehow a minute is faster than sixty seconds and a day less than twenty four hours.

Because I’m afraid I won’t remember, I move the each day with a camera in my hand, trying to capture memories to hold on to later, when the moment has passed.

We’ve been “wintering” near my oldest son and his family since January… playing with one baby in person and face-timing with the other on Sunday afternoons has kind of become our thing these days. Our location will change at the end of this week, placing a different sweet face on the screen.

I grew up surrounded by cousins from both sides of my family. My mom was good about taking photos as well, but she didn’t always include a caption. What were we doing? Was it a special occasion or just a normal day, sharing life with family who lived close by? I enjoy seeing our happy faces, but I’d love to know the stories.

My younger son and his family travelled here for spring break last week. The times when all of us are together are few and far between and we had fun watching our grandsons get to know each other. They met once before at the ripe old age of one month and ten months— so much has changed in the nine months that have passed. One is crawling and the other is running. Hugs and giggles and lap-time books made it a week this grandma will not soon forget.

But my grandsons won’t remember. Someday they will see the photos and wonder if the hug was really a wrestling move or what awful food caused the funny grimace on their face. The photo will likely be as they scroll through a phone or social media, because the need for instant gratification has caused us to quit printing photos and gluing them carefully in a book.

I started writing to each of them on the day I learned the joyous news of their existence. When I began, I thought I would tell them about the world and stories about their mommies and daddies, but instead each of their journals have turned into a tale of a boy and his grandma… the things they do that bring me joy and the fun things their doing right now, behind the scenes of the photo.

Be Happy