a wish

in this moment, how i wish i could sit down right next to you on that step on the front walk of the house on garland circle. i wish i could sit right next to you and ask you so many questions. what is your favorite color? i think blue, but perhaps it is pink on this day as you comb strawberry shortcake's hair. how do you feel about being a big sister? what does your baby brother's laugh sound like? do you ever notice your parents holding hands? what is your favorite thing in the whole world? when is the last time you told your mother that you love her? why are you afraid to learn to ride your bike? 

i would take notes just like a reporter as you paint pictures with your words. would you tell me a joke? would you laugh out loud? would you make up a story? would you sit there quietly inside shyness? would you really seem as old as you felt? would you seem more like a five year old? would you see the light that shines inside you?

i want to hear you sigh with contentment. i want to see you toss your head back as you giggle. i want to see you twirl. i want to listen as you play pretend. i want to soak up a minute or two or ten of just seeing you ready for all that awaits.

yes.

i wish i could sit right down next to you and learn all that you know before you begin to forget. 

and as i look at this moment captured almost thirty years ago, i sit inside this truth: together, we remember.

Comments

[Jenna/The Word Cellar]

This is beautiful, Liz.

[jakki]

beautiful thoughts...

[Missy K]

This is so lovely

[Kristine]

So touching ~ Beautifully written!

[diana]

I don't know if u know this but those questions will be answered through your daughters eyes i had some of those same questions and after i had my little girl and the years after (she is almost 7 now) she answers those questions with out even saying a word sometimes a smile is all need to see and it all falls into place
:)

[Dionne the Tea Priestess]

Last night I found a couple of pictures from a little over 30 years ago of me and I was thinking some of these same thoughts. Thank you so much for sharing this wish...

[michelle ensminger]

oh liz...that really spoke to me...thank you dear one...

[stephanie]

Chill bumps..this spoke to me so deeply Liz. I would be right there beside you, sitting on the steps with my very own strawberry shortcake doll sharing laughter and giggles and make believe...if only time and space allowed.

[Lisa]

THAT is an AMAZING photograph!

It is so.....YOU!!!!!

Thanks for sharing. :)

{{hugs}}

[mindy]

ok so this really hits home. you there in your sandals, enjoying the day with strawberry shortcake.....priceless! many a day i did the same thing.....(oh and btw my fav color combo as a child was pink and blue)....still is. love you!

[Meghan @ Life Refocused]

I so *love* this post. And the photo...just makes me sigh. xoxo

[Kate D]

doesn't it make you just want to write down/document EVERYTHING with Ellie so that she will have that to look back on? Although I suppose that some of the fun is imagining what life "were like when"....

[jennifer h]

what beautiful words and what a sweet girl. I see her in you still. xoxo

[Monica]

wonderfully written and so true...this is a beautiful photo, made even better by strawberry shortcake! Thanks for sharing this.

[Jon]

I think you really look like Ellie in this picture!

[danette]

this is beautiful Liz. love. love. love.

[artsy ant simona]

this is so well written. what a sweet post! i also sometimes look at old pictures and have similar thoughts.

[Gkgirl]

Oh...you took my breath away with this one....