My Twice Baked Potato

The other day, I found an old video on a forgotten video camera. It showed my son’s birthday (I think it was his 2nd or 3rd) and Christmas morning from the following year.

I was mesmerized by what I saw on that two-inch screen. Images of my son opening presents, dancing and celebrating the moment.

There were quiet moments captured between the excitement where he slowed down to suck those two fingers or read the words on a card.

My boy’s toddler voice was softer and had an innocence and curiosity about it that made my eyes water when I heard it again.

When I watched these scenes, it seemed like a long time ago. This was before we realized he was quirky and intense. We knew that he was verbal and soaring past milestones, but we saw these as signs of an early reader who would blossom in school.

We know how that ended up.

Now, my TBP won’t let us tape him much. We have to hide the camera or do it when he isn’t looking.

Seeing these movies from the past reminded me that we have to get more days captured. Photos are good but there was something special about seeing the preschool version of him moving and talking.

As with any parent, there are moments that are tedious and slow. Bedtimes that take too long or mornings that are too early.

The fact of the matter is that many of the parenting duties that I perform now, will be gone before I know it.

I thought about that today and decided to make cookies. I told him that I wanted him to have homemade cookies as a memory.

I thought about this when he read later  tonight because I wanted him to have memories of “yes” instead of so many “no.”

I reminded myself of this blink of an eye journey when he smiled at me and said “I love you” and “thank you, Mama.”

That video camera served to be a wonderful reminder to enjoy the moment.